March weather has provided us with that elusive moisture we have been needing all winter. As of 3/22/22 the Ag Met Sensor has recorded a total of .33 inch of moisture. Mowing and cleaning of the canals has been delayed due to the wind, snow, rain, and mud issues; but it will be ready when irrigation begins. The K Street canal project that replaced the lining in the canal is completed. In an effort to save our shareholders money and hire competent assistance; we contracted with Colorado Corrections for the labor on the project. With their assistance during down time on the canal work, we used them to trim trees along the canal in various areas that have been a problem to control due to fencing along the canal.
Beaver Park Water has a prescribed 60 ft. easement on both
the upper canal and the lower canal. Over the years many land owners have built
fencing along the canals that do not permit us to have access to clean and
maintain the canals. Those properties have changed owners and the fencing stayed.
Another issue is the walk bridges that have been placed over the canals. As the
canal does split many landowners’ properties, it is understandable that a
bridging has been used. However, the problem with the bridging is that it sits
directly on the cement canal and damages the canal over time. Many of the
bridges are dilapidated and falling apart. This is the land owners’
responsibility to remove the debris. Many of these issues are on properties
owned by non-shareholders and it is not an easy task to contact them nor
explain what doesn’t directly concern them. We can ask that our shareholders
that have current fencing or bridges over the canals to make sure Beaver Park
Water has the ability to access the canals for maintenance, repairs or cleaning
when necessary. Should you have a question about your property that the canals
travel through, please contact Connie at 371-4312 for proper installation of
fencing or walk bridges.
Brush Hollow Reservoir has reached 80 feet so far with 93
feet as the full mark. This is much better than last year at this time. Snow
has fallen recently on Pikes Peak and hopefully we are able to benefit from
snow melt. Skaguay Reservoir is full and with the combination of all these
positive appearances, we are hoping for a good irrigation season.
As a reminder, Andy McMinn is going to work as a ditch rider
on the West Side this year, with Jonie Grisenti remaining on the Middle Lines
and Dave Leeson with be the ditch rider for the East Side deliveries.
