Post date: Jul 14, 2021 5:45:16 PM
Hello neighbors! We had more water than we knew what to do with while the farmers north and east of us had their cut alfalfa drying, but yesterday they baled and hauled it away and they are now flood irrigating, which means we don't have enough water in the ditch at 19 Road to make our pretty pink water wheel turn. Water levels are very low and our pumps will cycle on and off to keep the pumps from burning up. Please understand that your Board has no control over this and we are just as anxious as you are to get back to higher water levels.
For those neighbors that are new this year, the headgate for the entire lateral begins at about 1976 K Road (about half a mile north and over a mile east of us) and runs to 19 1/2 Road where the water splits between the Palmer Lateral and the Compton Lateral. We are on the Compton side, so our water continues west to 19 Road and heads south, splitting again at J 6/10 Road and our pipe starts at the dirt access road along the Compton Drainage Ditch and comes under Fremont Street to our irrigation holding pond. We are the last stop on a very large lateral, and every property owner ahead of us gets access to the water first. For those that like maps, we can send you a copy for your viewing pleasure.
Our water shares are managed by Grand Valley Irrigation Company and they do not guarantee delivery of our shares past the headgate on 19 Road. The HOA is also unable to guarantee delivery of the irrigation water. But we do our best.
We will keep an eye on the water and update here.
Update 07/15/2020: the water is still on the low side but at least we have some water coming our way today. Please consider cutting back on your water time to get us through this time of shortage.
Also, a member of your Board was present at a City of Fruita Committee Meeting tonight to discuss water shortages in the future of the Grand Valley and was able to speak to the group about the frustrations of living on the edge of the City and the County where 99% of the water-users on our lateral water with a feast or famine schedule rather than a consistent use of water during irrigation season. Though City Planners require a certain amount of water shares per acre of land for any new development, these water shares are on paper only and do not always make it to the rightful owner unless the majority of the water users on a specific line use their water similarly. The City hears us and our complaints, and are also frustrated that they cannot do more to help, but they appreciate that we keep the lines of communication open.
Update 7/23/21: the water flow coming down the lateral is much better. If this changes, we will update the announcements.