Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the LAWMA service area?
Generally LAWMA services the area along the Arkansas River in Southeast Colorado from John Martin Reservoir to the Kansas state line.
How is LAWMA governed?
LAWMA is a voluntary non-profit corporation. It is a shares-based organization similar to a mutual ditch company and governed by Articles and By-Laws. The seven-person Board of Directors is made up of volunteers that serve three year terms after election by the membership. The membership meets at least once per year to elect the Board.
Do I have to belong to LAWMA?
No, membership is voluntary. The state use rules require replacement of well pumping depletions which is much easier to do as a group.
How many members are in LAWMA?
We currently have 207 members with 685 structures. The membership includes irrigators, municipalities, rural water associations, commercial users, schools, construction companies, and wildlife interests.
What are the costs involved with membership?
LAWMA charges a per structure fee of $275 or $375 (based on when the member joined) annually and then a share assessment of $41 per common share per year. The per structure rate is set each year by the Board and the assessment is set by the stockholders based on recommendation of the Board.
Are LAWMA shares valuable?
LAWMA shares represent the surface water owned by the organization and so are valued highly. As surface water becomes scarcer, the value may go much higher.
Does LAWMA issue shares?
Generally no, however LAWMA has made trades of shares with owners of surface water in the past. Usually the only way to acquire shares is to buy them from another member.
Can I lease my LAWMA shares?
Yes, private leases between members are common. We require a lease form and the lease is subject to approval by the Board. The price to lease the shares is negotiated between the members privately. In addition, we are occasionally able to lease additional replacement water and that allows for temporary shares that can be leased by members that need more allowable pumping.
How do I know how much I can pump?
Your allowable pumping is determined by the number of shares owned or leased, the yearly allocation set by the Board of Directors, the depletion factor assigned to your well, and your location on the river. An allocation notice is sent out by LAWMA at the beginning of the irrigation season (April 1st to March 31st) with your initial allocation based on the approval of the year’s replacement plan.
How is my well usage measured?
Measurement rules require that each well use one of two methods to measure use. The PCC method involves a well test (required every two years) that develops a power coefficient that can be used with your power records to measure water pumped. Many members now use totalizing flowmeters instead of the PCC method. The flowmeter installation must be inspected and verified every four years. Many of the flowmeters read in acre-feet pumped allowing an easy way for a member to keep track of their well use. A new well test is required any time a member makes changes to their irrigation system.
How do I report my well usage?
The state rules require that well usage be reported every month. For those using the PCC method, your use is reported by your power company. For those members using totalizing flowmeters your use is reported each month on a form sent to you by LAWMA. We return the meter reading to the state.
What if I need more pumping?
Members may lease shares from other members. This is done prior to overpumping.
What if I overpump?
The state will tag your well when your have reached the pumping limit in the replacement plan. In addition, you will be responsible for finding shares to cover the overpumping before you are allowed to pump again.
What is the difference between common and preferred LAWMA shares?
LAWMA has two classes of stock – common and preferred. Preferred stock has a guaranteed amount of pumping per share while common stock varies with the yearly allocation set by the Board. Preferred stock is generally owned by members with non-curtailable uses such as feeding facilities or gravel pits.
Does LAWMA take new members?
Yes the membership is still open subject to Board approval. As a public service, in the interest of economic development for the area, LAWMA may take a new member. The new member is responsible for the costs of adding the new well to our plan, water court costs, and any LAWMA shares that are required.
What if I have additional questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please call the office or send us an e-mail.
Generally LAWMA services the area along the Arkansas River in Southeast Colorado from John Martin Reservoir to the Kansas state line.
How is LAWMA governed?
LAWMA is a voluntary non-profit corporation. It is a shares-based organization similar to a mutual ditch company and governed by Articles and By-Laws. The seven-person Board of Directors is made up of volunteers that serve three year terms after election by the membership. The membership meets at least once per year to elect the Board.
Do I have to belong to LAWMA?
No, membership is voluntary. The state use rules require replacement of well pumping depletions which is much easier to do as a group.
How many members are in LAWMA?
We currently have 207 members with 685 structures. The membership includes irrigators, municipalities, rural water associations, commercial users, schools, construction companies, and wildlife interests.
What are the costs involved with membership?
LAWMA charges a per structure fee of $275 or $375 (based on when the member joined) annually and then a share assessment of $41 per common share per year. The per structure rate is set each year by the Board and the assessment is set by the stockholders based on recommendation of the Board.
Are LAWMA shares valuable?
LAWMA shares represent the surface water owned by the organization and so are valued highly. As surface water becomes scarcer, the value may go much higher.
Does LAWMA issue shares?
Generally no, however LAWMA has made trades of shares with owners of surface water in the past. Usually the only way to acquire shares is to buy them from another member.
Can I lease my LAWMA shares?
Yes, private leases between members are common. We require a lease form and the lease is subject to approval by the Board. The price to lease the shares is negotiated between the members privately. In addition, we are occasionally able to lease additional replacement water and that allows for temporary shares that can be leased by members that need more allowable pumping.
How do I know how much I can pump?
Your allowable pumping is determined by the number of shares owned or leased, the yearly allocation set by the Board of Directors, the depletion factor assigned to your well, and your location on the river. An allocation notice is sent out by LAWMA at the beginning of the irrigation season (April 1st to March 31st) with your initial allocation based on the approval of the year’s replacement plan.
How is my well usage measured?
Measurement rules require that each well use one of two methods to measure use. The PCC method involves a well test (required every two years) that develops a power coefficient that can be used with your power records to measure water pumped. Many members now use totalizing flowmeters instead of the PCC method. The flowmeter installation must be inspected and verified every four years. Many of the flowmeters read in acre-feet pumped allowing an easy way for a member to keep track of their well use. A new well test is required any time a member makes changes to their irrigation system.
How do I report my well usage?
The state rules require that well usage be reported every month. For those using the PCC method, your use is reported by your power company. For those members using totalizing flowmeters your use is reported each month on a form sent to you by LAWMA. We return the meter reading to the state.
What if I need more pumping?
Members may lease shares from other members. This is done prior to overpumping.
What if I overpump?
The state will tag your well when your have reached the pumping limit in the replacement plan. In addition, you will be responsible for finding shares to cover the overpumping before you are allowed to pump again.
What is the difference between common and preferred LAWMA shares?
LAWMA has two classes of stock – common and preferred. Preferred stock has a guaranteed amount of pumping per share while common stock varies with the yearly allocation set by the Board. Preferred stock is generally owned by members with non-curtailable uses such as feeding facilities or gravel pits.
Does LAWMA take new members?
Yes the membership is still open subject to Board approval. As a public service, in the interest of economic development for the area, LAWMA may take a new member. The new member is responsible for the costs of adding the new well to our plan, water court costs, and any LAWMA shares that are required.
What if I have additional questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please call the office or send us an e-mail.