PROJECT INFORMATION:
Dr. Larry Pochop, College of Engineering professor, is the principal investigator in charge of water
related research at the University of Wyoming. The research, conducted under Dr. Pochop's
leadership, is being provided through a cooperative partnership. Participants include state natural
resource agencies and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Funding is being provided primarily by the Wyoming Water Development Commission and the
USGS. The Water Development Commission provides $2 to every $1 provided by the USGS.
Other state agencies have provided labor or "in kind" research activities to leverage the USGS
funds.
The WWDC and the State Engineer's Office have presented Dr. Pochop with several research
topics. These topics include instream flow, the Clean Water Act and issues which involve quality
of surface water or total maximum daily loads, endangered species issues, conjunctive uses of
groundwater and surface water, hydrologic connectivity of groundwater and surface water, and
conservation and conveyance losses along streambanks and canals.
In year 2000, the legislature appropriated $140,000 to match available USGS funds. The legislature
will be asked to appropriate another $140,000 to continue to develop water related research in
cooperation with the USGS.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The Commission recommends that the project be place in the Rehabilitation Program at Level I
with an appropriation of $140,000. The WWDC anticipates yearly appropriations for the upcoming
years for continuation to these research projects.