PROJECT INFORMATION:
The South Big Horn County Water Supply Joint Powers Board (SBHCWSJPB) was formed to
serve as the sponsor for the project. The sponsor has 820 taps committed to the project.
A groundwater exploration program was conducted by the WWDC in 1985 that indicated a good
potential exists for obtaining groundwater from the Paleozoic formations approximately 8 miles
east of Manderson. In 1993, an exploratory well was constructed that produced water of
excellent quality, but lacked sufficient yield to supply the projected 750 taps in the regional water
system. In 1994 the well was hydraulically fractured in an attempt to stimulate water production.
The well now flows approximately 350 gpm of good quality water. A second well has been
drilled into the Madison formation that produces approximately 250 gpm. The water supply from
the two wells will meet demand for many years.
Three separate bid lettings have been conducted for the project. The first contract has been let
and the second production well has been drilled. The second construction contract provides the
major transmission pipeline between the wells and the towns of Basin and Manderson. The
second phase is complete and customers are receiving water. The third phase construction of the
rural distribution system is complete and in service.
Phase II and III construction is complete. Phase IV design and construction is complete. Phase
IV consists of a pipeline which connects the regional system to the old water storage tanks at
Manderson.
Basin Gardens is a rural area of Big Horn County on the east side of the Big Horn River, near the
Town of Basin. The area was included in the original Basin Area Water Supply Project but lack
of obligated taps precluded their participation when the original Basin Area Level III phase was
approved (1999). An updated feasibility analysis for Basin Gardens was performed in the
presently active Big Horn Regional Water Supply Level II Study of which SBHCWSJPB is a
sponsoring entity. The number of taps in Basin Gardens, now meet the minimum WWDC
criterion.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends the Basin Gardens Water Supply Project be incorporated into the New
Development Program at Level III with an appropriation of $559,450 (67% Grant).
