The news continues to improve for Montezuma County irrigators planning for this year’s crops season, thanks to recent snowstorms.
The Dolores Water Conservancy District, which operates McPhee Reservoir, forecasts full-service users will receive at least 15 inches per allocated acre of the 22 inches of a full contractual amount.
“It is an improvement from our last prediction of 11 inches,” said DWCD General Manager Mike Preston. “But we will need additional snowpack in the next 6-10 weeks to fill the reservoir and deliver a full supply.”
Water officials emphasize the 15 inches is the minimum amount expected to be delivered based on current snowpack levels measured at five different locations in the river basin.
According to a March 7 letter sent to irrigators, “If conditions completely dry out, the worst case works out to 70 percent or 15 inches per allocated acre.”
Late summer, monsoon rains recharging the soil is a major factor for the improved outlook.
Instead of soaking into the ground as it did in spring 2013, which stemmed from an extremely dry 2012, more snowmelt this year will reach the reservoir.
“The improved soil moisture will prevent us from totally cratering like last year,” said Ken Curtis, a DWCD engineer.
Last year, full-service irrigators received just 25 percent of their total allocation – or about 6 inches of water per acre. Instead of three cuttings of alfalfa, most farmers harvested just one.
The latest water news is critical for farmers, who begin ordering fertilizer and seed now for the upcoming growing season. Calculations of how much to plow also depend on estimated water supplies.
“If we get a weather build up, it will just improve from the 15 inches,” Preston said.
Reservoir managers get a more accurate view in the next six weeks as the winter winds down, and total snowpack levels are certain. By May, most of the runoff conditions are set.
If the high country received 4-6 inches of snow each week through April, managers predict the reservoir, west of Dolores, would reach its full irrigation supply.
On the downside, lower elevation snow is lower than normal. Also, because there is no carryover storage from last year’s dry conditions, McPhee Reservoir will end very low and lack carry over storage for a third consecutive year.
Additional information will follow in April, May and June as forecasts are updated and the water begins to fill McPhee, the ultimate measure of “in the bank” guarantee.
