Grand Valley Drainage District News

The Grand Valley Drainage District maintains a system of pipelines, ditches and embankments as necessary to provide proper drainage of the lands within the boundaries of the District.

The District has easements for the purpose of operating and maintaining an existing drainage facility.   

Only the real property owner can grant permission for use of any part of his property. It is the policy of the District that the District Board of Directors, its employees or agents cannot grant permission to any third party a right to use any portion of the District’s easement for any purpose.

Designation of any portion of an existing drainage system  easement for a  trail system  must be determined with the specific written consent of the property owner and coordination with the District.  Due consideration must be given to the District’s senior right and ongoing operation and maintenance of the drainage system.

ILLUSTRATION  FOR TRAILS ON OPEN DRAINS:

How Can we clean or maintain the Drain???

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ALTERNATIVE PLANS AND OPTIONS

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Grand Junction, CO: “I just don’t know what we’re going to do for the kids,” said Mike Wells, an instructor at School District 51’s Career Center. Wells was worried that his Construction Technology students would not have a final building project to work on last year because the previous year’s project did not sell, likely due to poor economic conditions. Usually, the funds earned from the sale of the program’s final project will fund the next year’s class project. The students start the class with smaller assignments like doghouses and sheds and work up to a large final project – usually a house, or other large structure, which they put up for sale in the community. This year, Wells wondered if they would have a final project at all.

Across town at another non-profit agency, John Ballagh, manager of the Grand Valley Drainage District, found himself in need of a pump house for a new community receiving irrigation, fresh landscaping, and a water retention area. Ballagh could have had his field staff build the pump house, but he heard about the Career Center’s predicament and thought he could help.

“I saw this as an opportunity to get local kids involved in a project that would benefit them, our community, and the Grand Valley Drainage District as well,” said Ballagh.

When Ballagh asked Wells if his students would be interested in building the pump house, he was thrilled about the offer.

“It was perfect timing because we weren’t sure if the students would have a chance to use their skills in a large final project. We were so grateful that John contacted us, and had faith in the kids to do a good job,” said Wells.

The students finished the pump house in ten days, and the program was paid for the project. That money will be saved to ensure next year’s class has the funds to start a final project of their own.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the work the Career Center’s students did on this project. It was on time, on budget, and it looked great,” said Ballagh.

“Thanks to John and the Grand Valley Drainage District, the kids got first hand, real world experience – and I’m quite proud of the job they did,” said Wells.

For more information on the Grand Valley Drainage District and their services, please visit www.gjdd.org.

To learn more about the Career Center and their programs, please visit www.cc.mesa.k12.co.us.