Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Though Conchas Lake saw a significant inflow of water in the past month due to rainstorms, the Arch Hurley Conservancy District board of directors again voted last week to not allocate any water for its irrigation system.
According to district manager Franklin McCasland’s report on Aug. 10, the lake received 10,112 acre-feet of inflow during the month of July, compared to 2,156 acre-feet of evaporation and other losses.
Conchas Lake’s level rose to 4,162.3 feet the morning of Aug. 10, an increase of about a half-foot from the previous month. That still was about four feet lower than the same time a year ago.
Arch Hurley conceivably can release water into its canals by gravity feed once the lake reaches above an elevation of 4,162 feet.
However, McCasland said last month he wouldn’t feel comfortable releasing water until the lake reached a level of 4,174 feet.
This year is the first time since 2017 that no water has been allocated to area farmers during growing season.
Even if the district could release water in September, it would be too late for many area farmers. McCasland stated in an email a fall allocation could be used to irrigate winter wheat or pastures.