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|
2003 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Active Projects
| 133. | PROJECT: | Viva Naughton Dam Enlargement | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | City of Kemmerer |
| LOCATION: | Lincoln County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
| | |
| EXISTING LEGISLATION: |
|
Purpose |
Chapter |
Session |
Account |
Appropriation |
Due Date |
|
|
Level II |
10 |
1994 |
I |
Hold |
1996 |
|
|
Level II |
15 |
1996 |
I |
Hold |
1998 |
|
|
Level II |
82 |
1998 |
I |
Hold |
2000 |
|
|
Level II |
36 |
2000 |
I |
Hold* |
2002 |
|
|
Level II |
7 |
2002 |
I |
300,000 |
2004 |
|
| *A block appropriation of $15,000 was made for all hold projects |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Recent investigations completed for the Green River Groundwater Recharge and Alternate
Storage Study indicate enlarging Viva Naughton Reservoir is one of the more efficient water
development projects in the state. The reservoir has an existing capacity of 42,393 acre-feet.
Pacificorp has filed a water right application for an additional 39,502 acre-feet of storage. The
existing reservoir is owned and operated by Scottish Power who has expressed an interest in the
further investigation of the potential enlargement of Viva Naughton. The permitted enlargement
reserves 10,752 acre-feet for irrigation on the Hams Fork downstream of the dam. During most
years irrigators and municipalities depend on the releases from Viva Naughton, Scottish Power,
however, has no obligation to continue this practice. This year's drought required Scottish Power
to shut the reservoir off to all demands in addition to those required for electrical power
generation. As a result, downstream users found the flows in the Hams Fork to be critically low.
The Town of Kemmerer is also interest in participating in the project. The Town of Kemmerer
has storage in Kemmerer Reservoir, however the reservoir has lost most of its capacity to silt
accumulation.
The existing municipal and agricultural uses show a need for additional storage on the Hams
Fork. The enlargement of Viva Naughton would provide a much needed source of late season
water to all uses below the dam including of the Hams Fork Water Users association, and the
towns Kemmerer and Diamondville.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action required at this time.
|
