April 2024 Update

 

Yes, it is that time of year…. we began irrigations on 4/16/24. Primary goal is to use the water from the upper canal as our lake is full. We have had 78 c.f.s. or more coming down the creek and into our diversion. We are only able to bring in 45 c.f.s. into our system and the balance is spilling into Beaver Creek. The ditch riders have been very busy scheduling and delivering irrigations. As we had encouraged everyone at the Annual shareholders Meeting in February, fields should be ready by April 1^st. However, we are aware that those who choose to plant alfalfa or hay grazer can’t plant until May. Please provide this information to your respective ditch rider so that they can be aware of your situation.

Please remember 1^st irrigations typically reveal issues with gates, valves or boxes that had not been discovered. This year we are dealing with an abundance of sand that has washed down the system and is plugging up the valves causing the boxes to overflow. Should you need to contact someone for an irrigation problem, please contact your designated ditch rider, there is no need to contact all the ditch riders and the superintendent all at the same time for the same issue. Please also remember that the office is open Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00 pm and closed daily from noon-1:00 pm. Leaving a message after hours or on the weekends, your situation will not be addressed until the following work day.

We are currently working short staffed and Connie the Superintendent is working the West side. Connie’s contact number is 719-371-4312. Jonie is working the Middle Lines; her contact number is 719-371-4313. Megan is working the East Lines; her contact number is 719-280-7816.

Reminder all assessments were due April 1^st. There are quite a few of shareholders that have not paid. If you are on the “no paid “list, you will not be scheduled for water and the ditch riders will not call you. In addition to this, there are Twelve shareholders with outstanding assessments that have balances that have not been paid for over 2 years. Please protect your capital stock and don’t let your shares go for auction for lack of payment.

April didn’t give us the showers we were hoping for, only .09 inch of precipitation until the last weekend of the month. The AG Met sensor recorded only an additional .53 inch of precipitation, however many rain gauges in Penrose were showing over an inch. This moisture should help the May flowers that follow April showers.

Pray for rain and carry an umbrella!

March 2024 Update

 

March…. Oh My! Winter returned and it was packed with moisture. Unfortunately, we experienced power outages throughout Fremont County, some without power for over 24 hours. The temperatures at this time were in the 30’s so that was a blessing. Ag Met sensor only recorded almost 2 inches of precipitation from the storm, however many have reported as much as 3-4 inches of moisture on their gages. The snow amounts varied from 6 inches to 10 inches depending where you lived. The local mountain areas received several feet of snow.

The Superintendent was busy with preparing and assisting the company that repaired the 42-inch line that has been leaking for some time. (This is the main line that brings our water down from the diversion to our system in Penrose). In order to make this happen, all the water at the diversion had to be released into the creek and the 42-inch line had to be completely drained. This process takes time as the 42-inch line holds a lot of water. Once completed, it took a couple of days to refill the line enough to reach us. It was a longer process than anticipated. However, the water is running into our system as needed.

The Ditch Riders have been putting all their efforts into cleaning the lower canal. This is probably the most difficult job they must endure as it is primarily hand work with shovels getting all the debris, sand, gravel and branches out of the canals. They also cut the saplings that are growing along the concrete to prevent them from growing into trees that crack the cement. This year we have hired a few temporary individuals to assist them in these efforts. They have done a fantastic job and it will be very beneficial when we start to run water. A BIG THANK YOU to Jonie and Megan and the crew that assisted them!

Assessment payments due April 1^st are coming into the office in a big way. Keeping the office staff very busy receiving these payments…thank you shareholders for your payments as they go towards the operating costs that keep Beaver Park Water running.

Pray for rain, carry an umbrella (April showers bring May Flowers) …. snow gear? One never knows….