Gilcrest – Farmers, politicians and state officials pleaded with South Platte River users Wednesday to sign off on a deal that would supply emergency water to about 200 Eastern Plains farmers.
Standing in a dusty field of sugar beets, Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament said farmers desperately need several Front Range cities, including Boulder and Highlands Ranch, to approve plans to deliver about 10,000 acre feet of water from the Windy Gap Reservoir near Granby.
“This situation out here could fall apart in just a few days,” Ament said. “They’re forecasting 80- to 85-degree temperatures over the next few days with no rain. That’s not good for these farmers.”
Last week, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District agreed to exchange Windy Gap water for an emergency supply of Big Thompson River water. Aurora also offered to help supply extra water.
Ament said the Northern district’s offer to help will likely expire in mid-June. That’s when a hydroelectric generating station near Glenwood Springs with senior water rights expects to make a call for the water.
“Every day that goes by, there is less water available to pump out,” Ament said.
The most recent water crisis was triggered when the state engineer ruled a week ago that 400 underground irrigation wells in Adams, Morgan and Weld counties should be turned off to help preserve South Platte River flows.
Following the 2002 drought, river users successfully sued to stop the farmers who use wells that tap an underground aquifer from drawing down the South Platte.
Subsequent legislation required well users to come up with a plan to replace the water they pumped.
The Central Colorado Water Conservancy District recently withdrew its plan after the state engineer indicated he would rule against it, partly because of recent dry conditions
On Tuesday, the river users who had objected to the farmers met with the state engineer to review the district’s latest proposal.
It was unclear Wednesday when the river users might reach a decision.
“We just received this proposal yesterday, and all I can say now is that it will take a few days to review,” said Carol Ellinghouse, Boulder’s water-resources manager.
On Wednesday evening, district officials had their first formal meeting with the farmers to discuss their decisions leading up to the well shutoff.
Several farmers expressed their frustrations, saying many have only a few more days before some of their crops will begin to die.
“I needed the water yesterday,” said Frank Eckhardt, who estimates his onion crops have only a few more days before the vegetable’s growth is stunted.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
