April did provide us with showers. In the form of snow and rain, either way we are grateful for the moisture that Penrose was blessed with. As of Aril 20th the total amount of precipitation for the month of April per the AG met sensor was .67 inch. Future forecasts are predicting more rain/snow next week.
As the priority date established by the State not permitting
us to store water are not in our favor, we had to make the decision to begin
irrigations. Much like last year, with low water availability water will be
distributed at a very down scaled process. Which means, less lines opened up and
a much longer process to deliver water. Not exactly the most efficient way, but
none-the less, we are delivering water to those shareholders that have been
without water the longest. In addition, we did open up the gate to Brush Hollow
to allow irrigations from the lower ditch, but we only have two feet we are
able to use.
For those of you who are accustomed to having a designated
ditch rider on the West Side deliveries, we have chosen not to fill the
position until we are receiving more water down the creek that will allow us to
provide our irrigation deliveries as normal. Hiring a replacement at this time
is yet to be determined. Connie Johnson our Superintendent will be covering the
irrigations on the West Side at the current time. Should you need to reach her,
please call 371-4312.
For those shareholders that have not paid their assessments
that were due by April 1st, please be reminded that you will not be
scheduled for water if your accounts are not in good standing. Shareholders
have the option to pay their assessments in two increments; half by April 1st
and the second half will be due August 1st. Also; as a reminder,
assessments pay for the operational costs of the company, not water. Irrigation
water is a benefit you receive if it is available and if your assessments are
paid.
Please also be aware that our area is currently suffering
from drought effects, currently our local area is listed as moderate drought
conditions with severe drought conditions in the northern part of Fremont
County. Exceptional and Extreme Drought conditions are plaguing the most
Westerly part of Colorado. The Spring snow has helped our area somewhat, but
not enough to increase the water levels in the creek.
Be prepared for Initiative 16 to be proposed as a ballot
issue. This initiative will destroy Colorado’s $5 billion livestock industry,
crush Colorado’s $1 billion beef export market, kill jobs by shutting down beef
and lamb processing, increase consumer costs for meat, result in practices that
are bad for the animals and the environment by requiring determinantal
production practices, and erase agriculture’s heritage in Colorado by
effectively banning rodeos, county fairs and horse shows. Please read the facts
regarding this harmful initiative by contacting Colorado Cattleman’s
Association or Colorado Farm Bureau or Colorado Pork Producers Council,
Colorado Dairy Farmers or go to www.coloradansforanimalcare.com Our historic and nation-leading agriculture
industry is under threat. This is the most radical and extreme ballot
initiative Colorado has ever seen!
