Colorado’s Diversion Measurement Installation Program recently announced support for agricultural water users in San Juan Water Conservation District (SJWCD). The new program will finance installing measurement devices, such as a flume or weir, for eligible water users in the Colorado River Basin of Division 7. The Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and in coordination with Colorado Division of Water Resources.
An in-person meeting takes place on Wednesday, November 12, from 3:30 to 6 at the Florida Grange, 656 Hwy 172 in Durango. Scan the QR code in the poster below to register for virtual options. Contact SJWCD if help is needed in the application process.
New water measurement rules took effect on June 1, 2025 for the San Juan River Basin. The rules apply to irrigation and other diversions of water from surface and groundwater sources. Soon after, SJWCD began discussions about how small agricultural water users in the District could afford to construct approved measurement devices at their diversion points.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is in Division 7 and our Division of Water Resources office is at 46 Eaton Drive. Commissioners Craig Dollar, Becky Guilliams, and Rick Valdez staff the local office and work with Archuleta County water users.
Colorado intends to measure and document all water used within its boundaries. Since consumptive agricultural water use accounts for most of the water used in Colorado, water rights owners who irrigate are affected. Our local Water Commissioners are responsible for ensuring accurate measurement and record-keeping.
Water users unsure of their decreed water right or permitted well permit flow rates and volumes can use DWR’s online tools available at https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools to find this information. Anyone who has questions regarding how these rules apply to their diversion or how to install a measuring device on their system can contact the Water Commissioner in your Water District at https://dwr.colorado.gov/about-us/contact-us/division-7-durango-contacts or the Division 7 office at 970-731-2931.”
