Applewood’s Ditch: A Survey Sheds Light

"Hey, Applewood neighbors and ditch friends—Greg here, sharing some eye-opening updates about my irrigation lateral. I’ve got two key pieces to show you: the developer’s Baseline Engineering As-Built Drawing, submitted by the Cottages at Rolling Hills HOA, and a Professional Survey from Lawrence G. Chambers (PLS #16099), signed May 13, 2024. These don’t quite line up—and what they reveal about my ditch is worth a look. Here’s the story, straight from the ground.

A Pipe with Challenges

The Chambers survey shows my lateral pipeline doing something tricky: it slopes uphill as it nears my property. Water usually flows down, but this setup’s different. The developer’s as-built says they ‘replaced and lowered’ it, yet the survey tells a different tale. Another section, relocated to the Right of Way along W. 32nd Ave, sits at a 0% slope—pretty flat for a pipe that needs gravity to work. County rules expect a bit more tilt, so this flat stretch has been a puzzle, slowing water and leaving my ditch struggling.

Xcel’s Transformer in the Mix

The survey also flags an Xcel Energy transformer, plus some utility gear, sitting on my lateral across HOA properties. It’s a big piece right in the way, making maintenance tough. I’ve been asking Xcel to move it for over four years—still working on that—but the developer’s as-built skips this detail entirely. It’s a hurdle we’re tackling together.

Access Questions

Speaking of those properties, the survey notes: ‘Access denied by owner to survey painted locate marks and flagged spikes’ on two lots. Some homeowners have added trees and fences over the easement, despite my efforts to explain why access matters—emails and letters haven’t fully bridged that gap yet. It left the surveyors with a partial view, and me with a challenge to keep things clear.

Headgate Hurdles

Then there’s the headgate—my 8” PVC intake in the Lee, Stewart, and Eskins Ditch wingwall. The survey measures it 0.5’ above the water level, a bit high when the ditch runs low. It’s been tricky for us lateral owners to get steady water, especially in dry seasons. The as-built doesn’t mention this height, but it’s a real hurdle every year.

Why This Matters—and How We Move Forward

This isn’t just my ditch’s story—it’s about keeping Applewood’s water flowing right. The Chambers survey highlights uphill slopes, flat stretches, blocked access, and a high headgate—challenges we’re working to fix before irrigation season starts April 1, 2025. Floods or dry spells hit us all, so I’m asking for help to sort this out. Check the survey and as-builts at www.fixourditch.org, where over 65 neighbors have signed our petition to support this effort. Together, we can nudge Xcel and the HOA toward solutions—join me!

Thanks for sticking with me, Applewood. Drop by if you’re around—I’d love to chat about our ditch over a dry handshake!

Greg