DITCH SUPERINTENDENT NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS 14 MAY 2026

PLEASE READ! 

CLEAN YOUR LATERALS-WORK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS-USE ONLY YOUR WATER!

As usual, during the opening and for the past full week and a half of running ditch water, Bill and I have encountered the same issues with the same laterals due in large part to shareholders on those laterals not taking part in maintaining them to allow optimal water flows. There have been a few bright spots where the individuals living on a known “hard to maintain” lateral have helped tremendously and are committed to keeping those laterals clear during the water season. THANK YOU to those groups… you know who you are. And for those who cleaned their laterals we didn’t see doing so… THANK YOU TOO!

NOTE: If you are a new shareholder or have never been on a ditch system before please ask questions about your rights and responsibilities. The Deweese web site (deweeseditch.com) has all the info you need, but if you need additional assistance please call the ditch phone and leave a message for us. 

It goes without saying, this is already an extremely difficult water season… it doesn’t appear to be getting any better either. There will be more low flows than usual because there is less water in both the Grape Creek drainage and in our main ditch. In the effort to preserve, conserve, and appropriately manage our water resource, we as ditch supers will work diligently to get as much water to everyone as physically possible. 

What can you, as a shareholder, do to properly use your water? 

First off, CLEAN YOUR LATERALS… we WILL NOTincrease flows beyond normal and may have to reduce flows to laterals that do not comply with this CLEAN YOUR LATERALS instruction. It’s not too difficult to partner with your neighbors who share a common lateral and as a team effort, keep them clear. CLEANING LATERALS is not a one and done prospect… it needs to continue throughout the entire water season as grass and weeds continue to grow back. 

Additionally, by Colorado law, you are authorized as a ditch shareholder using irrigation water to clean or clear your ditch lateral “upstream” from your point of diversion utilizing the ditch right of way and the most direct route possible. Anyone attempting to prevent you from doing so is in violation of state statutes. If you encounter one of these people not allowing you on the ditch right of way on their property… it is a civil matter and to prevent violence, a call to the Sheriff may be your last option. Notify us on the ditch phone, we try hard to respond to all of these confrontations… but we cannot “beat” your neighbor up or forcibly make them comply. It is best to keep calm and try to work out the issue before involving the authorities or the ditch supers. 

Finally, if you are one of those who thinks no one has a right to maintain a ditch that crosses your property… maybe you need to change your attitude and understand you can be held liable both civilly and if you threaten to harm someone, then potentially criminal charges can be brought against you. If you don’t want anyone else cleaning the ditch on your property then maybe just clean it yourself? It’s your choice to do the right thing or not.

Second, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE WATER YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO USE

Water STEALING will be dealt with as quickly and harshly as possible. 

For those on the Main Ditch… from Grape Creek Drive to the inlet to the Little Reservoir at 1432 Cedar Avenue… this also includes opening up your diversion box inlet or headgate prior to the 6:20 am opening time or leaving them open after the 6:20 pm shutoff time. This action removes water from the main ditch and impairs our ability to refill the reservoirs overnight during ditch shutdown times.    

Third, REPORTING FLOODING is always encouraged and will be responded to ASAP. Also, if you are seeing water when and where it is not customary to do so… please call the ditch phone and let us know. Mistakes are made (including ditch supers too!) and sometimes water goes where it shouldn’t and it’s helpful for us to know this.  

However, calling continuously about your water being “low” is not an emergency and honestly, we probably already know that it is low. Additionally, if you don’t have water or it’s low… go “upstream” on your lateral and at least attempt to locate the problem and remedy it before you call the ditch supers. Help yourself to help yourself and your neighbors by being aware of your ditch lateral grates, screens, and areas that tend to clog up on a regular basis. Truth is, it probably isn’t the first time it has happened. 

Lastly, due to the lack of any “excess” water this season combined with the usual difficulty of the first month of wetting the ditch and the reservoirs to hold and transfer water, we will not be able to “add” or “increase” flows beyond the normal set points. It is entirely possible we may have to reduce some flows at times. The balancing of main ditch, laterals runs, and then refilling all three reservoirs from ditch shutoff until ditch open the next morning is difficult at best. A prime example is the Little Reservoir on Cedar/115… it is increasingly difficult if not almost impossible to fill and keep at operating level. 

We, your ditch supers, will work as hard as we can to ensure the water is delivered from the main ditch and from the reservoirs at approximately the same time, every run, every division… but you have to remember… THIS IS NOT CITY WATER. It is not a simple matter of just turn it on and turn it off and it will then react exactly the way you want it to… that is not possible. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We as ditch supers cannot run this entire system perfectly or to its maximum potential without every shareholder’s participation. Assist where you can, partner with your neighbors and work together to make this incredibly difficult water system the best it can be for all shareholders.

Thank you, 

Marc Thompson

Ditch Superintendent/Deweese Board Member 

Ditch Super Phone 719-276-8568 

DeWeese Board of Directors would like to share some information with our Shareholders with regard to the Dawson Gold mining operation, in an effort to clarify and misunderstandings with regard to DeWeese water.  Dawson Gold mining has made arrangements with the UAWCD and have purchased 3 AF of water.  Dawson Gold is reporting their water to the Water Commissioner on a daily basis and is accounting for their usage.  Water is being released on behalf of Dawson in accordance with their agreement through UAWCD. 

Dawson IS NOT using DeWeese water, they are only using the water they have purchased through UAWCD.  The mining company is using around 9,000 gallons a day, there is 326,000 gallons in 1 AF.  We hope this will clarify any confusion about the source of Dawson’s water and will provide Shareholders with added comfort in knowing our water is not being used other than the intended purpose for Shareholders.

Thank you all for everything you do in helping protect our valuable natural resource!