The orchard mesa irrigation district (district), located in palisade, colorado, will install measurement and automated gate control infrastructure on the orchard mesa check channel and the adjacent…

The Orchard Mesa Irrigation District in Palisade, Colorado was awarded a $224,700 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) federal grant program (CFDA 15.507). The funding will be used to install measurement and automated gate control infrastructure on the Orchard Mesa Check Channel and the adjacent Vinelands Power Plant Afterbay Radial Gates. This project will allow the district to accurately measure and control the water that is returned to the Colorado River, reducing reservoir releases from Green Mountain Reservoir, improving flow measurements, and conserving late stream water to help sustain agricultural viability in Colorado's Grand Valley. The project was identified as a priority by the Grand Valley Water Users Association during a 2022 system optimization review. The award period is from September 3, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

The orchard mesa irrigation district (district), located in palisade, colorado, will install measurement and automated gate control infrastructure on the orchard mesa check channel and the adjacent vinelands power plant afterbay radial gates. The check channel allows for RE-use of colorado river water diverted from roller DAM. The water diverted at roller DAM is split between canals, travels to the vinelands power plant, and then released back to the colorado river through radials gates or through the existing check channel. Once completed, this measurement and automation system will allow the district to accurately measure and control the water that is returned to the colorado river. The work will reduce reservoir releases from green mountain reservoir, improve flow measurements, and conserve late stream water, helping to sustain agricultural viability in colorados grand valley. The grand valley water users association identified this project as a priority during a 2022 system optimization review.