Wyoming State Water Plan, Wyoming Water Development Office
Rafting on Snake River Lake Marie, Snowy Mountains Wyoming Wind River Range picture

Powder/Tongue River Basin Water Plan
Technical Memoranda

SUBJECT: Appendix A
Irrigation Diversion Operation and Description

PREPARED BY: HKM Engineering Inc.

DATE: March 2002


INTRODUCTION

In accordance with the scope of services, an inventory of the diversions located within the Powder River and Tongue River Basins were completed. This inventory is intended to be used for future planning and to provide information for water availability modeling of the basins.

DIVERSION SELECTION

The initial selection of diversions to be inventoried was based on a review of the State Engineer's Office hydrographers' annual reports. Those ditches with a recorded diversion of 10 cfs or greater were selected. The list of these diversions was submitted to the State Engineer's Office Division Two superintendent and hydrographers/commissioners for review and refinement. The commissioners eliminated several diversions and added others. Finally, to ensure that the data summarized here fully represented the drainages in the Powder/Tongue River Basin, commissioners were asked to add the ditches they considered key to the water use in the drainages. The resulting list of diversions provides a broad coverage of data and the significant data available on diversion operations in the Powder/Tongue River Basin.

METHODOLOGY

Data Gathering for Operation Memoranda

Each of the major ditches listed were visited in the field. During these field inspections, points of diversion and flow measurement facilities were photographed and located with a Garmin GPS II Plus handheld GPS unit. The removal of the selective availability dithering in May, 2000 and its capacity for averaging readings over time gave this handheld GPS receiver the ability to receive locations to within +/- 12 feet in many cases. These measurements are provided for general location purposes only; no guarantee can be made of their accuracy.

Travel with a hydrographer/commissioner was required in most cases to access Powder/Tongue River Basin headgates and flow measurement devices. In parts of the northern Powder/Tongue River Basin, area landowners were relied upon to obtain the necessary data. Follow-up interviews with landowners and all commissioners provided the supplemental information used in the following technical reports detailing each diversion.

Compilation of Diversion Records

In accordance with the scope of services, diversion records have been compiled for the selected ditches as defined in the preceding section. The diversion records when associated with the acreage served will provide a basis for determining the actual water use for irrigation in the study area. Actual water use is commonly significantly less than theoretical water use based on crop consumptive irrigation requirements, waste/seepage, deep percolation, and conveyance losses. This is expected to be especially true within this study area where forage crops rather than cash crops constitute the predominant demand for irrigation water. Information on actual monthly water use for irrigation is important to the development of water availability models that realistically simulate existing conditions in the area.

Records of ditch diversions are available in several forms and from several sources as summarized below. The records for the sites maintained by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office (SEO) are contained in the Hydrographers' Annual Reports beginning in 1980.

  1. Records of total monthly diversion volumes are available for several ditches equipped with continuous flow recorders. These records are available for a number of sites maintained by the SEO as well as a few sites maintained by the United States Geological Society (USGS). The USGS records were obtained directly from the local USGS office in Cheyenne or from USGS Water Resources Data publications.

  2. Records of total monthly diversion volume are available from the SEO for some ditches with periodic, instantaneous measurements (spot measurements). In these instances, SEO personnel have made estimates of missing daily values to complete the monthly records.

  3. Pre-1980 records of daily and monthly diversions are available through the Water Resources Data System (WRDS) database for several of the ditches.

  4. Records of periodic, instantaneous measurements (spot measurements) are available from the SEO for many ditches in the study area. HKM estimated the missing daily diversion records for these ditches to estimate the total monthly diversion volumes.
In many cases, monthly diversion volumes for a given ditch may be derived from multiple forms of data and from multiple sources. Where records of various forms or from various sources are available for a concurrent period of time, for a given ditch, monthly volumes from USGS continuous flow records are given preference, monthly volumes from SEO continuous flow records are then used when available, and monthly volumes derived from SEO spot measurements are then used as necessary to complete the record. Monthly diversion volumes from the WRDS database are used to the extent available to fill-out the record prior to 1980 when diversion records were first published in the Hydrographers' Annual Reports.

The SEO has not developed a numbering system for the measurement sites. This presented a significant challenge in completing this task. Records are identified in the Hydrographers' Annual Reports only by the name of the ditch. Unfortunately, these names sometimes change over time. It therefore becomes very difficult to determine if the different names relate to a different site or a change in the name of a given site. To solve this problem, sites with similar names were summarized on tracking forms for all 20 years of record by listing the site name, source, district, and size of the Parshall measuring flume for each year. This information generally provided the clues necessary to make the determination. HKM also maintained close contact with Mike Whitaker, the Water Division II superintendent, and hydrographer / commissioners Carmine LoGuidice and Bill Knapp when questions arose.

The total monthly diversion volumes as calculated by the SEO and USGS or available from the WRDS database (categories 1, 2 and 3 above) are recorded directly on the diversion data summary sheets as provided herein with each respective ditch. The methodology used in estimating missing daily diversion rates and total monthly diversion volumes at spot measurement sites (category 4 above) is discussed in the following section. The resulting monthly diversion volumes for these sites are also recorded on the diversion data summary sheets for each ditch.

Interviews with landowners, ditch maintenance personnel, and SEO staff provided return flow amounts and locations where available.

ESTIMATED DAILY DIVERSION RATES AND MONTHLY DIVERSION VOLUMES

The monthly diversion volumes listed on the diversion data summary sheets derived from spot measurements were calculated using the following technique:

Daily diversion data were compiled for each year and each pertinent ditch from the Hydrographers' Annual Reports.

Example: Moreton Ditch, 1992:

Date Flow (cfs) Date Flow (cfs) Date Flow (cfs)
5/4 5.36 8/1 1.80 8/28 1.26
5/11 1.26 8/5 13.05 8/31 1.26
5/15 10.16 8/7 12.38 9/2 1.26
5/18 0.00 (off) 8/10 7.53 9/8 7.53
5/26 18.60 8/15 11.25 9/9 7.15
5/29 16.00 8/17 2.15 9/11 7.53
6/1 0.00 (off) 8/19 2.39 9/14 7.53
6/3 3.77 8/21 2.78 9/16 1.80
6/5 1.27 8/24 2.39 9/21 2.15
6/12 0.00 (off) 8/26 2.92 9/23 2.15
7/31 1.26



Lacking more information, it was assumed that the first date listed in the Annual Report is the date the ditch was turned on (i.e. there was no flow before that date), and the last date listed is the date that the ditch was turned off (i.e. there was no flow after that date). This assumption may result in an overestimate of the annual diversion volume in some cases but more typically would result in an underestimate where diversions at the beginning and end of the season are truncated from the record.

The ditch flow for each missing day from the first to the last readings was found by linear interpolation. The interpolation process requires a judgement regarding the maximum number of days between recorded ditch flows for which interpolated estimates will be made. For periods with more than this number of days without flow measurements, the month or months containing those dates are left blank and are considered missing. If the maximum number is set too low, the resulting monthly volumes calculated will contain many missing values. If the maximum number is set too high, interpolation will be attempted over an unreasonably long time period. Based on a review of the available data, a maximum of 52 days was selected as the allowable maximum between measurement dates for interpolation to occur. A summary of the maximum number of missing days is provided along with the first and last dates of measured diversions for each ditch.

After the missing daily flows are estimated, the total monthly diversion volumes are calculated by summing the estimated and measured values for each respective month.

Example: Moreton Ditch, 1992:

Date Flow (cfs) Date Flow (cfs) Date Flow (cfs) Date Flow (cfs)
5/1
5/10 1.85 5/19 2.33 5/26 18.60
5/2
5/11 1.26 5/20 4.65 5/27 17.73
5/3
5/12 3.45 5/21 6.98 5/28 16.87
5/4 5.36 5/13 5.71 5/22 9.30 5/29 16.00
5/5 4.77 5/14 7.94 5/23 11.63 5/30 10.67
5/6 4.19 5/15 10.16 5/24 13.95 5/31 5.33
5/7 3.60 5/16 6.77 5/25 16.28

5/8 3.02 5/17 3.39 Total for May (cfs) 214.23
5/9 2.43 5/18 0.00 May (AF) 424.92

Notes: Shaded figures are interpolated.
Total for May (cfs): This figure is the sum of the daily values.
May (AF): This figure is the total cubic feet per second (cfs) for May converted to acre-feet.

Average, maximum, and minimum values for the period of record are calculated for each month of the irrigation season. The raw spot measurement data is extensive and is therefore not provided in this memorandum. This information is available in digital form and can be provided if necessary.

The ditches included in this memorandum are as follows (Figure 1):

Memo
Section
Name of Site Map
Location
Number
Sub-
Basin
Source Headgate Location
Lat. Long.
Big
Goose
Creek
Alliance Ditch Diversion 2 Tongue Big Goose Cr. N 44° 42' 9.9'' W 107° 10' 48.3''
Big Goose & Beaver No. 1 Ditch
Diversion
5 Tongue East Fork Big
Goose Cr.
N 44° 40' 12.0'' W 107° 9' 19.1''
Big Goose & Beaver No. 2 Ditch
Diversion
5 Tongue Rapid Cr.
Grinnell Ditch Diversion on Big
Goose Creek
21 Tongue Big Goose Cr. N 44° 49' 26.0'' W 106° 57' 56.2''
Park Diversion Ditch 45 Tongue East Fork Big
Goose Cr.
N 44° 34' 12.2'' W 107° 12' 37.9''
PK (Patrick) Ditch Diversion 51 Tongue Big Goose Cr. N 44° 41' 47.6'' W 107° 11' 24.8''
Sheridan City Intakes - Big
Goose Canyon Diversion
62 Tongue Big Goose Cr. N 44° 41' 46.8'' W 107° 11' 15.6''
Columbus
Creek
Five Mile Ditch Diversion 16 Tongue Columbus Cr. N 44° 55' 1.2'' W 107° 22' 15.4''
Little
Goose
Creek
Burn Cleuch Ditch Diversion 7 Tongue Little Goose Cr. N 44° 43' 40.6'' W 106° 56' 37.7''
Colorado Colony Ditch Diversion 33 Tongue Little Goose Cr. N 44° 35' 46.4'' W 107° 2' 20.8''
Gerdel Ditch Diversion 20 Tongue Little Goose Cr. N 44° 41' 30.0'' W 106° 58' 59.0''
Last Chance Ditch Diversion 10 Tongue Little Goose Cr. N 44° 37' 41.8'' W 107° 1' 44.7''
Peralta Ditch Diversion (&
Mountain Supply Ditch
Diversion)
40, 48 Tongue Little Goose Cr. N 44° 32' 47.7'' W 107° 12' 37.4''
Tongue
River
High Line Ditch Diversion 24 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 50' 48.9'' W 107° 18' 50.7''
Interstate (Pennoyer) Ditch
Diversion
27 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 56' 22.5'' W 106° 57' 42.8''
OZ & K & Hanover Ditch
Diversion
44 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 52' 49.2'' W 107° 15' 29.9''
South Side Ditch Diversion 64 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 51' 24.7'' W 107° 17' 48.3''
Tongue River No. 1 Ditch
Diversion
69 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 50' 57.8'' W 107° 18' 13.5''
York Ditch Diversion 72 Tongue Tongue River N 44° 52' 57.1'' W 107° 13' 43.9''
Wolf
Creek
Garrard Ditch Diversion 19 Tongue Wolf Cr. N 44° 47' 22.9'' W 107° 13' 6.2''
Grinnell Ditch Diversion on Wolf
Creek
22 Tongue Wolf Cr. N 44° 46' 24.4'' W 107° 13' 55.5''
Clear
Creek
Big Bonanza Ditch Diversion 3 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 29' 32.2'' W 106° 33' 23.8''
Clear Creek Land & Ditch Co.
Ditch Diversion
9 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 20' 2.1'' W 106° 42' 53.2''
Crown Ditch Diversion 12 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 19' 28.8'' W 106° 44' 24.6''
Des Moines Ditch Diversion 13 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 26' 52.4'' W 106° 34' 34.3''
Four Lakes & French Creek
Ditch Diversion
17 Powder North Fork Clear
Cr.
N 44° 20' 15.9'' W 106° 59' 56.6''
Frank G. Hopkins Ditch
Diversion
18 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 24' 50.3'' W 106° 36' 2.2''
Hillyer & Onslow Ditch Diversion 25 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 24' 6.3'' W 106° 36' 52.2''
Johnson-Holt Ditch Diversion 29 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 19' 46.3'' W 106° 45' 28.9''
Kendrick Ditch Diversion 30 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 49' 47.96" W 106° 6' 49.67"
Pratt & Ferris No. 2 Ditch
Diversion
54 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 37' 1.1'' W 106° 24' 7.3''
Pratt & Ferris No. 3 Ditch
Diversion
55 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 39' 46.7'' W 106° 21' 55.1''
Redman Ditch Diversion 58 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 21' 47.2'' W 106° 38' 59.1''
Roberts Ditch Diversion 59 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 34' 40.9'' W 106° 27' 31.7''
Six Mile Ditch Diversion 63 Powder Clear Cr. N 44° 19' 44.9'' W 106° 45' 15.3''
Crazy
Woman
Creek
Cook Ditch Diversion 11 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 11' 53.7" W 106° 46' 29.1"
Devoe #1 Ditch Diversion 14 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 3' 45.9'' W 106° 40' 44.5''
John R. Smith Ditch Diversion 28 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 4' 12.0'' W 106° 36' 20.1''
Kennedy Ditch Diversion 31 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 10' 42.6'' W 106° 44' 18.2''
Mitchell & Long Ditch Diversion 37 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 4' 47.2'' W 106° 38' 28.0''
Moreton Ditch Diversion 38 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 3' 0.5'' W 106° 44' 38.8''
North Fork Ditch Diversion 43 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 10' 19.2" W 106° 44' 48.0"
PX Ditch Diversion 57 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 10' 7.7'' W 106° 44' 54.3''
Teddy Miller Ditch Diversion 66 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 2' 54.6'' W 106° 43' 7.8''
Thompson & Matthews Ditch
Diversion
67 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 11' 39.5'' W 106° 47' 8.0''
Thompson Brothers Ditch
Diversion
68 Powder Crazy Woman Cr. N 44° 10' 26.9'' W 106° 45' 50.3''
French
Creek
Hopkins Ditch Diversion 26 Powder French Cr. N 44° 21' 59" W 106° 47' 14"
Penrose Ditch Diversion (&
Penrose Johnson Ditch
Diversion)
46, 47 Powder French Cr. N 44° 21' 27.9'' W 106° 50' 6.4''
Piney
Creek
Dunlap Ditch Diversion 15 Powder Piney Cr. N 44° 34' 36.5'' W 106° 36' 23.0''
Leiter Ditch Diversion 34 Powder Piney Cr. N 44° 32' 5.6'' W 106° 49' 8.9''
Mead & Coffeen Ditch Diversion 36 Powder North & South
Piney Cr.
N 44° 34' 47.1'' W 106° 53' 36.1''
Piney & Cruse Ditch Diversion 49 Powder North & South
Piney Cr.
N 44° 34' 43.0'' W 106° 53' 11.8''
Piney Divide Ditch Diversion
&
Little Piney Ditch Diversion
50 Powder South Piney Cr. N 44° 33' 38.3'' W 106° 54' 46.2''
35 Powder Little Piney Cr. N 44° 32' 33.3'' W 106° 52' 4.6''
Prairie Dog Ditch Diversion 52 Powder North & South
Piney Cr.
N 44° 34' 40.1'' W 106° 52' 56.6''
Pratt & Ferris No. 1 Ditch
Diversion
53 Powder Piney Cr. N 44° 34' 1.1'' W 106° 33' 27.1''
Rock Creek & South Piney
Diversion
60 Powder South Piney Cr. N 44° 28' 21.0'' W 107° 1' 52.2''
Powder
River
Big Four Ditch Diversion 4 Powder Red Fork Powder
River
N 43° 39' 32.0'' W 106° 47' 32.7''
Morgareidge & Frances Ditch
Diversion
39 Powder North Fork
Powder River
N 43° 52' 54.9'' W 106° 51' 10.6''
Sahara Ditch Diversion 61 Powder Powder River N 43° 41' 33.6'' W 106° 31' 53.0''
Vruwink (Kaycee) Ditch
Diversion
71 Powder Middle Fork
Powder River
N 43° 41' 4.6'' W 106° 41' 29.4''
Rock
Creek
Hallie Ditch Diversion 23 Powder Rock Cr. N 44° 27' 16.0'' W 106° 52' 11.3''
Lake DeSmet (M&M) Ditch
Diversion
32 Powder Rock Cr. N 44° 26' 6.8'' W 106° 48' 55.2''
Mowry Basin Ditch Diversion 41 Powder Rock Cr. N 44° 26' 46.4'' W 106° 54' 30.7''
Prince Albert Ditch Diversion 56 Powder Rock Cr. N 44° 22' 16" W 106° 40' 25"
Pass
Creek
Acme Ditch Diversion 1 Tongue Pass Cr. N 44° 56' 47.9'' W 107° 31' 16.7''
Church Ditch Diversion 8 Tongue Pass Cr. N 44° 57' 52.3'' W 107° 27' 56.3''
Summit Ditch Diversion 65 Tongue Pass Cr. N 44° 58' 38.4'' W 107° 26' 52.0''
Tschirgi No. 2 Ditch Diversion 70 Tongue Pass Cr. Currently a pumping diversion


click to enlarge