Lincoln Park Crooked Ditch Company, Inc.
Current Status
10/10/11: Our ditch Superintendent just reported that the ditch will be shut down on October 15, 2011.
9/11/11: The water will be turned off to repair a leak on Linden St. from Monday afternoon and will not be turned on again until Wednesday.
4/13/11: The irrigation water will be turned on by South Canon Ditch on April 14th. Our ditch superintendent will flush the system for one to two days to remove any remaining debris. The water will be available to the shareholders on the 15th or 16th of April. However, the water will be turned off on April 20-22 for maintenance to be done by South Canon Ditch.
The ditch has been shut down for the winter. Check back for Spring 2011 start-up date.
9/8/10: The river water level is fluctuating from day to day and can go up or down as much as four feet. The ditch superintendent reports on days with low level river water, it may be necessary to eliminate the extra water sent to Park and Sherman on Saturdays and Sundays, in order to get water to Division three. However, extra water may be available on those two days depending on the level of the water.
8/31/10: Due to low water level in the Arkansas River, the availability of ditch water is at very low levels and it is very difficult to get water to all shareholders. It is not known at this time when more irrigation water will be available.
South Canon Ditch Co. will have the ditch turned off on Friday, July 30 for repairs to their ditch. It will be turned back on Saturday, July 31.
South Canon has shut down temporarily due to debris in the ditch caused by recent wind storms. We had gusts up to 67 miles per hour. Currently, we don't know when the water may be back on.
Also a reminder to shareholders of the following information:
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Bulking of the main ditch is prohibited. This bulking may cause flooding upstream or prevent water reaching shareholders downstream. (Contained in the by-laws)
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Ditch right-of-way or easements on the main ditch: The Crooked Ditch has title to the majority of the easements which are recorded with the Fremont County Clerk and Recorder. According to Colorado Constitution Article 16, section 7 once the ditch easement exists it is irrevocable and the landowner may not withdraw consent nor deny the ditch company the right of entry for maintenance nor obstruct the ditch. The historic use of the ditch also constitutes a legal right-of-way on the ditch.
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House Bill 01-1250 states that anyone who willfully, for their own use, prevents another person from receiving irrigation water, is guilty of a misdemeanor and could be fined up to $750.00 for such an act. I can provide you a copy of this bill if you would like to have it.
South Canon Ditch has had difficulty in finding help to clean their ditches. Water will be turned into our system Tuesday, April 20, but will not go beyond the pump house. Our part time laborer will be at the pump house to clean out the debris. The water will be sent to the river on Wednesday to flush any other debris in the ditch. The water will be turned into Crooked Ditch on Thursday, April 22. As of this time, it is unclear which divisions will be receiving the water.
South Canon Ditch will be turning the water on this Saturday, 4/17/10. Our ditch superintendent will flush the system which is usually full of trash, dirt, etc. and the water will be available to Crooked Ditch shareholders on Tuesday, April 20th
Shareholder assessments were due on February 1. Those who have not paid by now may have to forfeit their shares. Please contact Sandy for payment information at 275-2068.
All shareholders should inspect their head gates and ditches and make any necessary repairs prior to date water is turned on. No one is permitted to cut into, tamper with, or damage the new liner in any way. If anyone has questions or concerns they must contact the ditch superintendent. Any questions about the insert contact Bob Hudson, ditch superintendent.
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