PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Town of Jackson indicated their population has nearly doubled
since the 1990 census, and is currently estimated at 8500. With
this level of recent growth they are concerned with planning for
future water system demands. Toward this end they retained the
services of Nelson Engineering to prepare a Level II study of a raw
water supply project that will take some demand off their potable
water system. With the Level II study completed the town has
requested Level III authorization for a multi-use raw water supply
project that will: (1) provide irrigation water to the county
fair/rodeo grounds, two city parks, and the athletic fields at the
new high school; (2) provide raw water to replace the municipal
water sold to Snow King for use in snow-making; and (3) provide
water to be used in prevention of ice jams on Flat Creek. The
portion of the proposed pipeline that would deliver water to Snow
King has been determined to be distribution to one customer,
therefore, it is not eligible for WWDC participation.
The project will include construction of three production wells near
Flat Creek, and appurtenances. The town will utilize these wells
during the summer for irrigation of the above mentioned town / county
facilities, which are currently served from the municipal system.
During the winter the town will use well #1 partially for snow-making
water at Snow King. The remainder of the production from this well,
and all the production of wells #2 and #3, will be turned into Flat
Creek to reduce/ eliminate the formation of frazzle ice. During
extremely cold periods frazzle ice forms in the creek, and subsequently
freezes on the creek bottom, bridges, and other structures. This
reduction in capacity eventually causes the creek to overtop its banks
and flood residential neighborhoods, streets, and the highway. The
addition of 2000 gpm per well of warmer groundwater to the creek is
expected to prevent formation of frazzle ice, and the resultant flooding.
The town has been testing this hypothesis for the past 10 years. The
municipal well drilled by WWDC in 1985 has been diverted to the creek
during the winter since 1988, with the exception of one year. Since
that time the creek has not frozen for a significant reach below that
well, except for the year it was not turned on. The town would now
like to construct a well system that could more efficiently meet this
need, as well as summertime uses.
The total estimated WWDC eligible costs are $450,000.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends the project be incorporated in the New Development
Program at Level III with an appropriation of $450,000. The financing
plan includes a 60% grant, $270,000 and a 40% loan, $180,000 at 7.25%
interest for 20 years.
