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
The 2026 irrigation season is off to a rough start. There are low inflows from Grape Creek so Shareholders should expect to see less water. Please do not call the Super due to low flows, as we are not able to create more water. This is going to be a rough season because we are in drought conditions. We are thankful for any water, so please understand and help us to work through this season. Please share with anyone who may need this information.
We will be running water the week of May 4, 2026 regardless of the rain and/or snow. Please monitor your laterals and your pumps. We have to run water during the rain and snow events this week due to storage and water operations. Please share with any Shareholder who may need this information.
President Bolkema called for a motion to approve water start-up date of May 4, 2026, to run 2x a week at 12 hours per day for the month of May, then cut back to 8 hours a day 2x a week. Director Thompson moved to approve the plan, Director Brogoitti seconded, and all voted in favor. This schedule will be subject to change according to conditions.
Thank you!
Good evening Shareholders!
The Board has decided to begin the 2026 irrigation season on May 4, 2026. We will begin our season with normal runs of twice a week for the month of May. This schedule is subject to change according to conditions impacting our water. There will be zero tolerance of receipt of too much water, and any Shareholder found taking too much water will be sealed off immediately. This is a critical year for all of Colorado for water and we all need to be vigilant in making the most of our water resource. Anyone who has not paid their 2025 assessment will be sealed from water delivery until back assessment has been paid, per our by-laws. Please share with any Shareholder who may need this information. We appreciate all you do to help DeWeese conserve and make the best use of our water. We look forward to the 2026 season!
Thank you!
Good evening Shareholders!
We will begin flushing our system tomorrow, Thursday April 30, 2026. We are not flushing by Divisions, so if you see water in your lateral at any given time, you can use it to flush your laterals in preparation of water delivery. Please share with anyone who may need this information. We are hopeful for a good season, but will definitely need rain!
Thank you,
Hello Shareholders!
We will begin our flushing and cleaning of the main ditch this month. Please begin cleaning your laterals in preparation of water delivery. We will let you know once a date has been set to begin irrigation season via notification on email and our website.
Please make sure to send in your check or money order by July 1, 2026, otherwise water delivery will be terminated. We are not set up for online or credit card payments, so please mail your payment or set up a bank draft through your bank.
Beginning in the 2027 irrigation year, assessments will be due March 15th of each year for that calendar year.
Going forward, our Superintendents will not respond to calls about Shareholder laterals. Laterals are the responsibility of the Shareholders, per our By-Laws. DeWeese is only responsible for cleaning, repair, and maintenance the main ditch. If you have a problem with your lateral, you will need to repair it and/or work with your fellow shareholders on your lateral, in accordance with our by-laws.
We look forward to a successful irrigation year for 2026!