Dear Editor:
I am sure everyone is aware of the call on the White River. Since we have not had a recent call on the White River, I wanted to let you know how this will affect each and everyone of you. The call on the river also includes all tributaries to the White River, so our entire drainage basin is now under call status. This call is expected to extend for some time and will affect us year round. Please read and note the following:
1. When there is a call, every user that diverts water must have a headgate and a measuring device. If you don’t have either of these you cannot divert any water regardless of your water rights priority. Without a measuring device, we can not accurately determine how much water you are taking, so you will be shut off. If your diversion structure does not have a headgate to allow the water commissioners to shut off or control your diversions, you must install a headgate as soon as possible or you could be fined by the State.
2. In the non-irrigation season (winter months) you can only divert water if you have a use decreed for that water other than irrigation (livestock, agriculture, industry, etc) However the priority of your rights will determine if you are junior or senior to the call, and if you can divert water. If you are using ditches to divert stock water in the winter and you are not sure if you have that decreed right, reach out to me and I can research it for you.
If you have any questions or need any information on the different types of measuring devices and headgates or where to get them, please reach out to me. In order to irrigate, you have to have a measuring device and headgate installed. I feel it is important for me to inform you of this right now so that you can start to prepare for a call that could extend into or even throughout the irrigation season.
Betty Kracht
Lead Water Commissioner, District 43
Thoughts expressed on opinion pages are exclusively those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Herald Times. You are welcome to submit signed letters on matters of local interest to [email protected], mail to PO Box 720, Meeker, CO 81641 or drop off at 304 4th St., Meeker. there is no charge.
Due to space constraints, please keep submissions 500 words or less.
