The lack of April showers puts into question, what about
those May flowers? April has been WINDY, WINDY AND WINDY with no precipitation
in the Penrose area. The creek is running an average of 7 c.f.s. daily and from
the beginning of irrigation season, we have not been in priority to store any
water. Irrigation from the upper ditch began on Tuesday the 12th of
April with a few shareholders due to the limited amount of water coming into
the system. The reservoir was opened on Wednesday the 20th that
provides water to the lower ditch. Each ditch rider immediately scheduled water
deliveries from the lower ditch water. Currently the Ditch riders are
distributing irrigations to 4-5 shareholders each. Unfortunately, we are
releasing water from the reservoir for irrigations and not taking water into
the reservoir as all the water on the upper ditch is either being used for
irrigations or at the water plant for domestic water purposes.
Due to the windy weather and fire restrictions, the mowing
that proceeds irrigations could not be done. Cleaning of the lower ditch and
cutting trees from the banks of the canals was completed throughout.
Unless we are fortunate enough to receive some significant
rain this Spring or early Summer, we may not be able to provide irrigations
beyond the first one. Weather sources are not favorable for our area to change
much over the next few months. Currently we are classified in a moderate
drought area. Wind, low humidity and the on-going wildfires throughout the
State are not in our favor.
Each shareholder receiving irrigation water should be
extremely diligent with the water and not run water off the intended field. We
do not have the water to waste running down the roads or sitting in barrow
ditches. The ditch riders will be watching for any waste and requesting
shareholders to manage their water more carefully. Please coordinate with your
ditch rider should you find it difficult to keep up with or if you feel you are
done before your time is up. Please call them to make arrangements to move the
water to another shareholder.
Remember, if you have not paid your assessments or at least
the first half, you will be on the no paid list and the ditch rider will not
call you or schedule you for water.
PRAY FOR RAIN and carry an umbrella.
