Variety of Crops

The Palisade Irrigation District serves a wide variety of agricultural interests. Crops include hay, grass pasture, corn, vineyards, vegetables and some specialty crops such as lavender and hops. Fruit crops include apricots (on occasion), apples, pears, plums and cherries. But Palisade peaches and wine are world renowned. Starting in July peaches begin to ripen and harvest of over 18 sweet succulent varieties continues into September. More information about Palisade fruits can be found at palisadecoc.com.

closeup of hand reaching into a container of freshly picked peaches

Marijuana and Hemp

As you may know, Governor Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 117, “Recognize Industrial Hemp Agricultural Product for Agricultural Water Right” into law in May. The bill says Colorado water-rights holders have the right to use water for hemp if the person is registered by the state to grow hemp for commercial or research purposes.

It is the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s view that Senate Bill 117 does not change Reclamation’s Policy on the use of water for marijuana or hemp. According to Reclamation Policy (PEC TRMR-63) Reclamation water and/or facilities cannot be used for growing marijuana or hemp.

Water On-Demand

Although there is not sufficient water or infrastructure to deliver water to everyone in the District simultaneously, we still attempt to deliver water on a “demand” basis. No water orders are taken. Irrigators open their on-field delivery only when they need water and are expected to shut it off as soon as their irrigation is complete. Irrigating when crop and soil conditions are optimum helps us efficiently provide water to the entire District. Information on irrigation scheduling can be found at: ext.colostate.edu.

Limited Water Supply

Running water over an excessive time wastes water; water logs the soil depleting the roots from adequate oxygen, and can actually stunt plant growth. The District has a limited water supply that must be spread over 6,000 acres. In order to make the most of this limited resource the District allows and even encourages water users to irrigate with more than their allotted water amount in order to complete their irrigation in a timely fashion. Then shut off their water to allow other users to do the same. Water users abusing this policy may be cut back to their actual allotment of 5.8 gallons per minute per acre.

From time-to-time as demand becomes heavy in the hot summer months, the District’s field technicians may contact water users to ask them to voluntarily cut back their water use or delay their irrigation for a day or two to allow others to finish up.

Did You Know?
1 cubic foot per second of flow will cover a football field with 2 feet of water in about 24 hours.

Your Responsibility

Water delivered to your field or farm becomes your responsibility including any excess water, such as tailwater, draining from your land. This includes the maintenance and care of the drainage ditch until it reaches a natural or manmade wash or drain. Tailwater of others may also enter the same ditch, in which case the responsibilities should be shared. The Palisade Irrigation District is not responsible for the maintenance, care, or supervision of waste water ditches.