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Opinion: Ditch “inefficiencies” give us wetlands

Dave Marston
Five generations of Zinks have lived on the animas Consolidated Ditch near Durango Colorado since 1917. Patty Zink pictured.

Before water managers decide that agricultural ditches lose too much water destined for the Colorado River, writer Rick Knight urges us to remember that the West's wetlands have been largely created by porous ditches. Wildlife, trees and plants reap the benefit of "inefficient' irrigating, he says, but once ditches are piped, semi-arid conditions would take over.