Quota Accounting
Every year GMS well pumpers await the annual quota announcement. The figure, a percentage of total pumping allowed on a given irrigation contract, is determined by analyzing current GMS water supply and depletions. Ruthanne Schaffer, CCWCD’s Water Accountant, is instrumental in this analysis. Below, Ruth answers common questions about the quota and water accounting.
Ruth, what is the current quota, and what influenced this decision?
The CCWCD board set a 45% quota for the 2010 irrigation season in May. The previous quota was set at 38% in April. May’s increase reflects new sources of water; 3,000 acre feet of water recharged in the Box Elder Creek basin, a water lease extension with the city of Thornton, numerous of other recharge projects and the fact that there has only been three days of call on the South Platte River.
