Lincoln Park Crooked Ditch Company, Inc.

Message to Shareholders

11/14/11:  The annual assessments were mail out today.  Payments are due by February 1, 2012.

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Lincoln Park Crooked Ditch Company will be held at 7 pm on Monday, January 9, 2012.  Meeting location is the Golden Age Center, 728 Main, Canon City, CO.  See additional information under the Meetings page.

10/10/11:  Our ditch Superintendent just reported that the ditch will be shut down on October 15, 2011. 

Additionally, there is a revision to the third division watering hours - Users west of Willow St. will not irrigate on Sunday from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00A.M. Tuesday.

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.

6/1/11:  South Canon ditch is shutting down today, June 1, due to three leaks.  They hope to have repairs completed by noon today. 

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 the 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. 

9/6/10:  The ditch superintendent reports that low river water level will eliminate the extra water that has been sent to Park and Sherman on Saturdays and Sundays will not be available until further notice.  This is necessary in order to get water to Division three.

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. 

5/31/10:  The ditch water is now running again!

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:

1.  Bulking of the main ditch is prohibited.  This bulking may cause flooding upstream or prevent water reaching shareholders downstream.  (Contained in the by-laws)

2.  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.

3. House Bill 01-1250 states that anyone who wilfully, 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.

Our sympathies go out to Al Cole, our ditch president, whose wife Claire, passed away last Saturday.  We all extend our sympathies to Al and his family. 

Shareholder assessments were due on February 1.  All shareholders  with assessments not paid by now may have to forfeit their shares.  Those who have not paid must contact Sandy Erman at 275-2068. Interest will be charged on all late payments.

Also note that ditch easements are 10 feet on each side of the ditch and most easements have been recorded with Fremont County Clerk and Recorder.   If recorded, the easements will appear on all titles to the property.  If easements have not been recorded, the easement use is historical.  This is in compliance with Colorado Water Laws. 

The ditch has been shut down for the winter.  Approximate date for Spring start-up is April 15, depending on the weather and South Canon Ditch.

Be aware that penalties will apply to anyone who tampers with or damages the new liner. If anyone has questions or concerns regarding the liner, contact the ditch superintendent.

If you have questions about the status of the ditch or you wish to contact the Ditch Superintendent, call 429-0091. There will be a message on an answering machine to inform you of the ditch status. You will be able to find out if there is a break in the ditch, when it is expected to be fixed, or if we are on a river call. The superintendent will receive messages each day and will return your call. For emergencies regarding the ditch, please call the ditch superintendent.

For 2010 watering hours and restrictions, see Maps and Schedules. Initial violations of watering schedules and River Call will be verbal and documented in a written memo by the ditch superintendent. If the individual receiving the verbal notification fails to take corrective action, the situation will be referred to the Board for appropriate action.

Shareholders should be aware of the following board policies:

• The Ditch company is responsible only for the main ditches. Laterals are the responsibility of shareholders on that lateral, including maintenance, repair and replacement.
• Pumping directly from main ditches is prohibited. All pumps must be removed from the main ditch and replaced with a sump and head gate. If you have questions on the installation, contact the Ditch Superintendent.
  
• Storage of water in tanks or ponds is prohibited.
  
• New head gates, new sumps or alteration of these on the main ditch must be approved by the board. Contact the ditch superintendent prior to tapping into the main ditch.
  
• Trees and bushes shall not be planted on the ditch easement and volunteer plants must be removed. All vegetation on either side of the ditch that impedes water flow must be removed by the land owner prior to irrigation turn-on date. Shareholders should not over irrigate and not leave irrigation unattended. Shareholders should make a special effort to work with their neighbors who are on the same lateral in insure all get water.
  
• During the annual ditch cleaning (October through March), member should cooperate with the Ditch Superintendent and his crew. Members should clean their laterals at this time.
  
• Please inform the ditch company of all name or mailing address changes.