Show Commissioner Explains New I Highwater Plan By Dave Water Commissioner During the present period of high water runoff it was decided by the Directors of the Upper and Central Canals that it would be necessary to discontinue the lateral call system temporarily until the creek drops back to lesser flows This does not mean how how- however however ever that each user is entitled to take as much water as he wants Water division is based upon the shares in each of the respective canals This means I that for each share owned a aI certain amount of water may maybe maybe I be delivered for any given flow that may b in the canal FOR THE Upper Canal this division is 1127 total shares and for the Central it is total shares It is well to keep in mind also that each canal has a II capacity limit and no more water can safely be turned in I without taking a chance of I breaking the canal in a weak spot This has already hap hap- happened happened in three instances so far this year As a result of this limitation j there is not enough carrying capacity capacity to fm fill all laterals at atthe atthe means means the same time This then that each lateral will willbe willbe I be turned its share of the wa- wa waIter Water ter the canal is capable of Iter packing according to the total number of shares in that later later- lateral lateral I al al It then becomes the later later- laterals als responsibility to divide the water according to the shares each individual owns I in that lateral I EXCEPT IN emergencies I all adjustments of lateral must be made by bythe bythe the of the canal I byI Without this control it is im- im impossible impossible possible to deliver the water on a fair and even basis to all points along the canal If people do not honor this ar- ar arrangement arrangement the gates may have to be locked at all points along the canal One individual should be appointed as lateral boss to see that this division takes place on a fair and even basis People are cautioned against placing planks or boards in inthe inthe the canals at this time since the water is fluctuating from day to night If there is a problem in get get- getting getting ting the water out of the can can- canals als contact the water master so he is aware of any boards and may take care of them if the water suddenly increases As soon ns as the high water period is over the deliveries will be placed back on a later later- lateral lateral al call system as was operating operating ing before high water The people on each lateral are en en- en encouraged to get together and work out their own problems and also make calls for water on a lateral basis instead of by individual calls This will give you more water deliver deliver- delivered delivered ed on your property and aid aidin aidin in the operation of the system The Project is presently operating at full capacity with the feeder can can- canal canal al flowing around cis round around the clock The drops in the canal seem to be hold hold- holdIng ing very well and no serious problems have developed A Amore Amore more detailed report on total storage for this year will come as soon as it ca cars be de- de determined determined |