July has given us expected temperatures with highs in the
upper 90’s most of the month. Precipitation this month for the Penrose area
totaled 1.87 in. as reported on the AG Met sensor located in Penrose.
The creek remained at 30+ c.f.s for the first part of the
month with a drop down the 20 c.f.s the final two weeks of July. Irrigations
moved smoothly into the second round of irrigations. We also remained in
priority to store water in Brush Hollow for any water that went unused beyond
the Penrose Water District Processing ponds which increased the reservoir to 78
ft. providing more irrigation water to use on the lower ditch shareholders
without transferring water from the upper canal. Within days we went out of
priority therefore unable to store any water, the reservoir gate was opened to
allow more heads of water to be used for those shareholders on the lower ditch.
This change should make irrigations go a little quicker than the first
irrigations did.
The last week of July the creek increased to 70 c.f.s. due
to the heavy rains received all the way up to Skaguay. With this significant
increase, unfortunately our system only holds so much and we are spilling over
the Diversion dam. Sometimes we have to take the bad with the good. However,
with the increase of water we have much more to be happy about. We also went
back into priority. More shareholders were scheduled to receive water, we are
using as much water as possible with the final weekend of July weather reports
are showing the possibility to receive more rain.
We put reminders on Face book that as of August 1st
all assessments are due and payable. Statements were mailed in the middle of
July. Those shareholders that paid half assessments in April will need to pay
the 2nd half or risk the possibility of not being on the schedule to
receive 2nd irrigations. Please make sure your accounts are in good
standing. The ditch riders will not contact you to remind you to pay, this is
your responsibility. Please also note, due to a program glitch when the
statements printed, you may have received a statement with a balance that has
been previously paid, if you are not certain, please contact the office for
clarification. Call 719-372-3664.
Also, we are reminding everyone to please be mindful of the
open canals and make sure that grass clippings, tree trimmings and other debris
is not going into the canal. This is one of the major reasons the water backs
up at the screens. Screens are cleaned out several times daily and is hard
enough to keep clean just from what the wind may blow into the canals. Please
help keep the canals clear of any debris. Your assistance in this matter is
greatly appreciated.
It appears that the predicted July monsoons waited until the
end of the month to show up, maybe August will provide us with some well needed
rain. As always, Pray for rain!
