August was a typical month for summer temperatures. Mostly
in the 90’s however we did experience a few cold fronts that came through that
lowered the day time temperatures to the 70’s and the low at night reached
43.60 degrees according to the AG Met sensor located in Penrose. It wasn’t dry either;
the sensor indicated that Penrose received over 2 inches of rain for the month
of August. The middle of August a significant rain storm North West of Penrose
caused Bear Creek to over flow out of the holding ponds West of Hwy 115 and
breach into our lower ditch causing many flooding problems. Tom had to shut
down Brush Hollow Reservoir’s irrigation water into the lower ditch until the
water from Bear Creek went through the system. Unfortunately, when Bear Creek
or KP Creek overflow into Penrose, the only solution is to shut down all
irrigations until the water from the Creeks subsides. Many newer to Penrose may
not realize it, but a drainage system does exist for this water. It starts on 3rd
Street and works its way through Penrose until it reaches the Arkansas River
south of Hwy 50. The easiest place to
visualize the drainage system is south/east of 9th street behind the
elementary school.
Brush Hollow Reservoir is currently at 89.70 ft. The creek
level has maintained a constant flow of 30 c.f.s. allowing irrigations, PWD and
storage without much change in the system. Typically the summer months flow is
below 10 c.f.s.
Tom has been trying to keep up with the weeds by mowing the
upper ditch and the state land. All of us in Penrose can relate to that effort.
It is an on-going battle. Additionally he has been working with the backhoe at
our diversion to reestablish a road. The large concentrate of water destroyed
our road to the diversion and made it impossible to use. In order to check our
gages he was forced to travel beyond the diversion and walk down for any
adjustments that were required to make. The road to the fish trap was equally
as bad and needed work to gain access again.
The ditch riders are on the 3rd irrigations for the season.
Depending on the temperatures, it is possible to begin 4th’s. Our
irrigation season does go through November 15th however, we will not
be delivering water if the temperatures reach freezing. This year unlike
previous years has been a very productive year for hay.
For those shareholders who chose to pay assessments in two
parts, the second half was due August 1st. Statements will not only
reflect the $10 surcharge fee but will additionally be subject to interest fee
for each month with an outstanding balance. Assessment fees pay for the
operational costs and loans that bought the system and repaired it.
