PROJECT INFORMATION:
This study effort will look at storage potential to alleviate the anticipated future shortages that
will occur when the Tribes fully activate their court decreed futures water right award. Over the
years numerous storage sites have been identified in the Wind River drainage. This study will
screen the previously identified sites and determine the least environmentally damaging potential
reservoir development that will provided the supplemental water needed in the Wind River
drainage.
The final report was submitted November 30, 2001. The current un-met demand for the Big
Wind River and Little Wind River sub-basins at the 80-percent demand level is estimated to be
approximately 175,800 acre-feet/year. Futures Awards in the Upper Wind River basin total
209,372 acre-feet/year. Utilization of some or all of these Futures Awards would most likely
result in significant additional un-met demand within the basin.
A total of 125 potential new or enlarged reservoir sites were identified in the Upper Wind River
basin. These sites were screened by a number of criteria including the capability to meet the unmet
demands, economics, environmental concerns, cultural resource concerns, and geologic
constraints. Five sites were selected through the screening process and through discussions with
the water users in the basin. Additional field data were collected on these sites to assist with
future site evaluations. The sites selected for further evaluation were Bull Lake Enlargement,
Little Wind River North Fork No. 3, Dinwoody Lake Enlargement, Wind River East Fork No. 1,
and Steamboat. The Ray Lake enlargement project and the Blue Holes Project were not
evaluated as part of this study since detailed studies have already been completed.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action required at this time.