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County leaders press for federal help to pipe aging irrigation canals, cite WaterSMART grants
Summary
Montezuma County commissioners and agricultural stakeholders discussed drought resilience and the high seepage losses in century-old canals; representatives said WaterSMART and Bureau of Reclamation programs have been slow but necessary for lining and piping projects.
Local water users told Congressman Jeff Hurd that many irrigation canals and ditches in Montezuma County are more than a century old and lose substantial water to seepage, and they asked for federal funding and technical support to modernize channels.
Gerald (a local irrigation stakeholder) said seepage losses range from roughly 10% to 30% on some canals. County participants said two projects funded through Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grants had a combined cost near $7 million for tail sections and that the environmental review and permitting process has taken years to progress. "Most of them are over a hundred years old, and lose a tremendous amount of water out of them," Gerald said.
Hurd said his office can help identify federal programs and noted that some ditch-lining projects receive Bureau of Reclamation support but that eligibility rules may limit funds unless projects fall under specific programs such as salinity control. Hurd asked the county to assemble project documentation and grant-ready materials so his staff can identify appropriate federal funding streams.
Why it matters: In an arid region where agriculture and ranching rely on limited water supplies, seepage in open ditches reduces water availability for downstream users and overall watershed resilience. County leaders said improved efficiency would increase water available for agriculture and in-stream needs.
Clarifying details raised in the meeting - Seepage loss: county speakers estimated 10% to 30% seepage on older canals, with some projects costing millions to line or pipe. - Grants: two WaterSMART grants were awarded for smaller canal sections; the combined project cost for those pieces was approximately $7 million. Participants said protracted environmental review and permitting has delayed construction.
Next steps: County asked Hurd's office to help identify federal technical and funding programs, and to prioritize projects so staff can pursue grants and Bureau of Reclamation assistance.
