PROJECT Index

Measurements of Irrigation Canal Seepage Losses Below Trinidad Dam, Las Animas County, Colorado

• • Overview
  • Study Area
  • Site Photos
  • Data
  • Related Links
  • Illustrations
  • Publications
  • References
  • Email for Information

PROJECTS

• Projects by topic
  • Data Collection
  • Surface Water & Geomorphology
  • Ground Water
  • Water Quality
  • Multi-Discipline
  • All projects

USGS IN YOUR STATE

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Measurements of Irrigation Canal Seepage Losses Below Trinidad Dam, Las Animas County, Colorado, 2000-2003

Study Area: Southeastern Colorado, near the city of Trinidad, Las Animas County
Period of Project: Ongoing
Project Number: CO415
Project Chief: Russell G. Dash
Cooperator: Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District

BACKGROUND:

The principal areas of irrigation in the Purgatoire River Basin are located in the vicinity of Trinidad. Eleven canals located downstream from Trinidad Reservoir are part of the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District (PRWCD). These canals receive water from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Trinidad Project to irrigate about 20,000 acres of cropland. Conveyance losses of water in the unlined irrigation canals have not been quantified.

The field studies will benefit the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District and other water users by providing hydrologic data and information that will be used by multiple parties for administering, planning and operational purposes.

OBJECTIVES:

To quantify gains and losses of unlined irrigation canals that divert water along the Purgatoire River and operate under the PRWCD.

One or more gain/loss investigations will be done each year and repeated over several years on the PRWCD canals.

Multiple gain/loss investigations will improve scientists’ knowledge on gains and losses of water in canals under different stage and flow conditions.