Over the last several years, the watermaster of the South and West Field Irrigation Company noted ongoing an escalating degradation of the Coal Creek Spillway, located near the mouth of Cedar Canyon. This is the location where the South and West Field Irrigation Company diverts water from the main stream channel into the irrigation system. Concerns were raised that if the degradation continued, the result could be catastrophic, and repairs would cost much more at some point in the future.

During a special board meeting, held in October of 2023, the board elected to authorize a cost-effective repair that involved installing 5/8” thick galvanized steel plate over the spillway. This solution would eliminate the exposure of the face of the spillway to the rushing water and flood debris to prevent further damage. The plan was implemented during November and December 2023 at a fraction of the cost of replacing the spillway.