Canal Modernization Case Studies

Affordable Canal Modernization I Big Picture What is Possible? Potential Capabilities Adaptive Flexibility Small Picture Where to Start? Initial Needs Simplicity

Affordable Canal Modernization II What is Affordable? Equipment Acquisition Costs Installation & System Setup Costs Reliability Considerations Troubleshooting & Maintenance Costs Potential Cost of Malfunctions

Affordable Canal Modernization III What is the expected payback? Increased Staff Productivity Decreased Operating Costs Increased Value of Water Supplies Improved Delivery Efficiency

Pioneer Irrigation District PID Diversion Structure on N Fork of Republican River

Pioneer Irrigation District Specific District Objective: Measure flow  Delivery equity Project Scope: Assist District in Establishing Flow Measurement Capability at Turnouts Verify Flow Measurement Accuracy Provide Canal Operations Technical Support

Pioneer Irrigation District Issues: Limited Head Availability Sites Limited Physical Space “Radical” Shift in Institutional Mode of Operations

Pioneer Irrigation District Pre-existing Measurement

Pioneer Irrigation District Example Turnouts

Pioneer Irrigation District Trial & Error Measurement Efforts

Pioneer Irrigation District Practical Measurement Solutions for Space-Limited Sites “Yakima Box” Submerged Orifice

Pioneer Irrigation District Low-Head Measurement Alternatives Elbow Meter Constructed Venturi

Pioneer Irrigation District Project Outcome Improved delivery equity Increased awareness of irrigation efficiencies Able to comply with subsequent Republican River Basin regulations

Bostwick Irrigation District

Bostwick Irrigation District Outlet Works to Bostwick Canal Harlan County Dam Spillway

Bostwick Irrigation District Harlan County Dam Gage

Bostwick Irrigation District Lateral Head & “CHO” Check “Standard” Check

Bostwick Irrigation District Initial Integration of Electronic Technology in Canal Operation Have Identified General “Wants” Thinking “BIG” from the Outset Have Expressed a Limited Sense of Possibilities, and of Limitations

South Platte Ditch Co. 2005 Pilot Demonstration Main Flume Sandhill Pond Weir G2 Flume

South Platte Ditch Co. Colorado Water Conservation Board Grant Developed Partnership w/Neighboring Districts Expanded Scope to Include Wells, Gate Control District Commitment to Rebuild Flume

South Platte Ditch Co. 2008 Status Seven open channel monitoring sites Four well monitoring sites May ’08 Field Day One-Third Grant Completion

Twin Loups Irrigation District TLID Office Calamus Lake Kent Diversion Dam Davis Creek Reservoir Delivery System Termini

Twin Loups Irrigation District TLID Office Repeater 6.1 Lateral Main Canal Checks Calamus Reservoir Outlet

Twin Loups Irrigation District Specific District Objectives: Functional automation of open canal reach that feeds piped lateral, with integrated phone/radio alarms Remote monitoring/adjustment of reservoir release & upper reach canal checks

Twin Loups Irrigation District 6.1 Lateral

Twin Loups Calamus Reservoir Outlet & 9.5 Check

Twin Loups Irrigation District Current project scope targeted to key “problem” issues High likelihood of future expansion Numerous potential unique applications

Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District Study Tour Visit: Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District Remote operation of main canal checks System developed “in-house” by staff Targeted adjustments to passing flow Fine adjustments based on pool elevation feedback

Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District “Gate-stroking” adjustments to pass target flow rates

Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District Remote operating benefits Dramatic reduction in staff/equipment resources devoted to main canal adjustments Improved ability to react to demand changes; operational issues Negligible spillage loss

Key factor in modernization success: Proponents in “Key” positions Dan Korf Pioneer ID Mike Wells Twin Loups ID Clinton Powell USBR NKAO Charlie Bartlett South Platte Ditch Co Gary Sloan MSIDD

Automated Surface Irrigation, IID Motorized Port Gate Check Gate

All American Canal Dave Rogers Flume

The Fence

All American Canal Dave Rogers Flume