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2004 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Completed Level I and Level II Projects
Completed Level I and Level II Projects are those projects that have not advanced to Level III,
Construction. Level I watershed management plans and municipal master plans are valuable
resource documents. These documents help sponsors make decisions regarding, for example,
how best to comply with EPA requirements or TMDLs. Also, advancement to Level II generally
requires that the sponsor form a legal entity. Watershed plans and master plans often include a
host of options that a sponsor may want to consider, and could advance to a higher Level under a
specific legislative authorization. Some Level II projects lack the financial and economic
feasibility for the sponsor to take on the required level of debt. These projects may have to wait
for conditions to change or for other funding sources to become available.
01. | PROJECT: | Corner Mountain Test Well | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Corner Mountain Water & Sewer District |
| LOCATION: | Albany County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Formation of the Corner Mountain Water and Sewer District was prompted by the 1995 WWDC
Level I study, which explored alternatives for providing a common source of water for area
residents. The district is located near the community of Centennial in Albany County and
encompasses 12 subdivisions and adjacent tracts along Libby Creek and the North Fork of the
Little Laramie River. Permanent and summer residents obtain water from shallow alluvial wells
and springs, or from hauling water. Well water is mostly of a quality deemed useful for washing
and flushing toilets only. The Level I study ultimately concluded that a groundwater source was
the most feasible source supply.
Two test wells drilled in early 1999-revealed valuable subsurface information in the geologically
complex terrain which underlies Corner Mountain development. The exploration effort was
seeking a deeper ground water source than that presently utilized by Centennial (Casper
Formation) or by the town of Elk Mountain (Cloverly Formation).
The Corner Mountain Water No. 3 Test Well was drilled, completed, and tested in late 2000.
Sustained yield (200 g.p.m.) from the well meets the supply needs of the district.
02. | PROJECT: | Granger Water Supply | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Granger |
| LOCATION: | Sweetwater County |
| PROGRAM: | Rehabilitation |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of system improvements that may be
required to facilitate the negotiation of a long-term contract with FMC-Granger. A new
agreement between the Town and FMC should allow for Granger's permanent use of the pipeline
while still allowing FMC to shut off the pipeline for maintenance. The final report was
completed in December 2002.
03. | PROJECT: | Green River Groundwater Recharge and Alternate Storage | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | State of Wyoming |
| LOCATION: | Green River Basin, WY |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The 2000 Legislature appropriated $100,000 for a Level I study in the Green River Basin to
investigate groundwater recharge and alternate storage for the basin's surplus water. Additional
funding was requested in 2001 to investigate a reservoir site on the East Fork that was discovered
as a part of this project. This study was completed in spring of 2003.
04. | PROJECT: | Greybull Raw Water | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Greybull |
| LOCATION: | Big Horn |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and cost of putting in a raw water
irrigation system for town parks, greenways and residential lawns. The Town of Greybull holds
surface water rights on Shell Creek but does not currently use them because of high surface water
treatment costs and increasing federal water quality standards. Greybull is currently operating at
or near full capacity during summer peak months and during the summer of 2001 had to
implement watering restrictions in the town to relieve the pressure on the water system. A raw
water system would relieve demand on the town's potable system and allow for future growth
and expansion of Greybull. The final report was completed in the fall of 2002.
05. | PROJECT: | Hawk Springs Water Supply | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Hawk Springs Water and Sewer District |
| LOCATION: | Goshen County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The population of Hawk Springs is approximately 125, with thirty-one service connections that
may be served by construction of a central water supply system. The district requested a study to
investigate alternative water sources, storage, and distribution facilities for the area in and around
Hawk Springs. Residents currently rely on individual wells. Some wells in the area are
contaminated by high levels of dissolved solids, radionuclides, and septic system effluent.
The Level II study was completed in 1995. The exploration program located a suitable
groundwater supply west of the community. Preliminary designs, cost estimates, and economic
analyses have been prepared for the preferred alternative, with the estimated total project cost at
$2,145,664. The estimated monthly bill for the project is $45.49/tap.
06. | PROJECT: | Hot Springs State Park, Big Springs Study | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources |
| | Division of State Parks and Historical Sites |
| LOCATION: | Hot Springs County |
| PROGRAM: | Rehabilitation |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Many of the Park's concessionaires were dissatisfied with the water distribution problems
associated with the Big Spring. Historically the spring produces around 2,500 gallons per minute.
The water and its thermal characteristics are important in the formation and maintenance of the
park's mineral terraces. The purpose of this study was to determine how best to address system
deficiencies and to establish operation and maintenance protocols in the Hot Springs State Park
that would satisfy all users to the greatest extent possible. The final report was completed in the
fall of 2002.
07. | PROJECT: | Irrigation Hydro Power | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Shoshone and Willwood Irrigation Districts |
| LOCATION: | Park/Big Horn Counties |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
A Hydro Power study was conducted on the Shoshone River and irrigation ditches located in the
Shoshone and Willwood Irrigation Districts. Issues included detailed cost analyses of placing
drop structures with hydropower generators in their current irrigation delivery systems. Each
system has locations with flow and pressure potential to generate power. The study also included
a study or the transmission requirements to get the generated power to power users. The project
was initiated July 2001 and was completed May 2003.
08. | PROJECT: | Lodgepole Creek ASR | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | Ground Water Users of Eastern Laramie County |
| LOCATION: | Laramie County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Eastern Laramie County ranks high as one of the most intensively farmed areas of the state. The
area depends on ground water pumping almost exclusively as the irrigation supply source. In
1970, a Ground Water Control Area was formed for extreme eastern Laramie County and
expanded in 1982 (to include that portion of the county east of I-25, not inclusive of the city of
Cheyenne) in response to declining ground water levels. A Control Area Advisory Board reviews
and makes recommendations to the State Engineer concerning any new development of high
production ground water wells, enlargement of existing wells, or placing new lands under
irrigation.
Since inception of the Control Area, ground water level declines have slowed and in some areas
ceased, but have not rebounded. Aquifer storage and retrieval (ASR) is a technology that has
been tested in arid western states with varied success. This study would determine if a secondary
supply source (e.g., surplus and/or unencumbered city of Cheyenne Stage II supplies) is available
and if lands generally underlying Lodgepole Creek drainage in eastern Laramie County are a
suitable candidate for ASR techniques or other technologies. The study has been completed, but
due to high cost, has not been pursued further by the Sponsor.
09. | PROJECT: | Lovell ID Hydro Power | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Lovell Irrigation District |
| LOCATION: | Big Horn County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
A Hydro Power study was conducted on the irrigation ditches located in the Lovell Irrigation
District. Issues included detailed analyses of placing drop structures with hydropower generators
in their current irrigation delivery systems, as well as, converting several problem areas of the
current ditch system into pipe drop structure type conveyances to eliminate seepage losses.
The system has locations with flow and pressure potential to generate power. The study also
included a study or the transmission requirements to get the generated power to power users. The
project was initiated July 2001 and was completed May 2003.
10. | PROJECT: | Opal Regional Water Supply | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Opal |
| LOCATION: | Lincoln County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION::
In 1999, the town of Opal requested a feasibility study for the costs associated with installing and
maintaining a water treatment unit to reduce or eliminate excessive fluoride present in Opal's
drinking water. This report was completed in November 2000. The report indicated that
installation costs were affordable, but the annual operation and maintenance cost would be
approximately $11,000 per year.
The town of Opal requested an additional study to determine the feasibility of obtaining a new
groundwater source, which would be blended with their existing water supply to dilute the
fluoride concentrations and thereby addressing the EPA Administrative Order recently issued
relative to the Safe Drinking Water Act violations. A groundwater study was completed and the
results indicated there was no viable source that would serve to blend with the existing town's
supply. The study also investigated "point-of-use" treatment by installation of individual
reverse-osmosis units in town residences. The costs associated with this type of treatment were
much less than a central treatment facility. The town has elected to pursue "point-of-use"
treatment and is presently conferring with EPA-Region VII on implementation.
The project was initially considered as a part of the Oakley Water Supply Project in 1989. It was
revisited in 2001 and completed in 2002.
11. | PROJECT: | Pinedale Hydro Power | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Pinedale |
| LOCATION: | Sublette County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
A Hydro Power study was conducted on the Town of Pinedale's water system between Fremont
Lake and Pinedale. Pinedale has two areas with flow and pressure potential that could provide
hydropower. The first area is the Pine Creek Fremont Lake outflow. This area had a power plant
years ago. The second area is the supply line from the lake to town. Issues included detailed
analyses of placing drop structures with hydropower generators in these two areas. The study
also included a study or the transmission requirements to get the generated power to power users.
The project was initiated July 2001 and was completed May 2003.
12. | PROJECT: | Popo Agie Watershed Management Plan | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | Popo Agie Conservation District |
| LOCATION: | Fremont County |
| PROGRAM: | Rehabilitation |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A watershed study was conducted on the Popo Agie River drainage
from the National Forest boundary to the confluence with the Little Wind River. Issues of
concern included consistent water flow, conveyance losses in irrigation ditches, evaluation of
potential storage sites, and a study of the fluvial health of the watershed. This study provided
baseline information, for the district's watershed planning efforts. The project was initiated July
2001 and was completed July 2003.
13. | PROJECT: | Powder River Water Supply | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Powder River, Unincorporated |
| LOCATION: | Natrona County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Town of Powder River is located 35 miles west of Casper on US HWY 20-26. Powder River
was platted as a townsite in 1920 but remains unincorporated. It has a population of 43. Shallow
individual domestic-sized wells serve the area.
The "Tumble Inn well" has not been able to comply with "Safe Drinking Water Act" regulations.
This well provides service to several users. On September 28, 2001 the EPA issued an
Administrative Order on Consent (AOC), Docket No, SDWA-08-2001-39. Water supplied by the
well exceeds the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrates (=10 mg/L nitrate) and total
coliform (>1 positive sample/month total coliform). The average of samples taken in 1999 from
the well is 29.1 mg/L nitrate. Monitoring results for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 1999 and the 2nd
and 4th quarters of 1997 exceeded the MCL for total coliform.
Additional violations include failure to test well water, failure to notify the public of violations,
and failure to report violations to the EPA.
The "Tumble-Inn well" reflects water quality problems found in all wells used at Powder River.
Individual domestic wells are not regulated for conformity with the "Safe Drinking Water Act."
Well owners in Powder River have long been aware of the dangers associated with drinking water
from town wells and have either hauled water or had purified water delivered. The AOC lists
interim measures (staying on imported drinking water and posting public notices) that must be
implemented and also requires implementation of long-term corrective measures.
Powder River residents will be given the choice of pursuing the best alternative(s) identified in
the 2002 WWDC study. The study concentrated on identifying contaminate sources, evaluate
treatment alternatives for exiting wells, locate alternative ground water source supplies (e.g. deep
drilling), and provided cost estimates for the various alternatives. The study was delivered to
EPA Region 8 Enforcement authorities and as of late 2003, no decision has been handed to
Powder river residents.
14. | PROJECT: | Rock Springs East Water Supply | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | II-Hold |
| SPONSOR: | Green River-Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Joint
Powers Water Board |
| LOCATION: | Sweetwater County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Several areas east of Rock Springs, including the Arrowhead Springs Subdivisions, are interested
in constructing a centralized water system. In order to supply water to the area, a new
transmission pipeline would be required to transmit water from Rock Springs. SF Industries may
be interested in participating in the project. Further, the Sweetwater County Airport, located 7
miles east of Rock Springs, would also like water service.
The Level I study delineated a service area and provided preliminary designs and cost estimates
for the pipeline.
The project was initiated in 1995. A Level I evaluation was conducted and completed in 1996.
The project was placed on Hold in 1996 and remained on Hold until 2004.
15. | PROJECT: | Ten Sleep/Hyattville Master Plan | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | Level I |
| SPONSOR: | Town of Ten Sleep - Hyattville Water Company |
| LOCATION: | Washakie County and Big Horn County |
| PROGRAM: | Rehabilitation |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Ten Sleep: The Town of Ten Sleep has two (2) Madison Formation aquifer supply wells that
serve its water supply needs. The oldest well was drilled in 1955 and a second well was added in
1978. The total yield from these wells has been more than ample to serve the community.
Consumption however, far outstrips demand, with average use estimated at 2500 gallons per day
per person. This use rate figure is approximately ten times the recommendation suggested for
Wyoming public water supply systems by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
This inefficiency is a central consideration to be addressed by the requested study. The study
would include an entire review of their system.
The Level I study will also determine whether the town should provide service to outlying rural
areas. Expansion of supply outside of town has occurred to some extent but recent residential
development in the county near Ten Sleep has encountered insufficient water supply in their
domestic wells from a quantity and quality standpoint.
Therefore, a small-scale regional plan utilizing the existing Ten Sleep ground water supply is an
attainable concept worth consideration in a master plan study.
Hyattville: In 1968, the residents of Hyattville formed the Hyattville Water Company for the
purpose of developing a safe, reliable supply of water for their community. Subsequently, a deep
well was drilled into the Madison Formation that flowed 100 g.p.m. at the time of completion.
Using the average daily per capita use for Wyoming (Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division Rules & Regulations, Chapter XII, Section 8) of 125 gallons per day per
person, the well could be expected to provide water for 1152 people. In reality, however,
Hyattville's water system has consistently failed to deliver an adequate supply of water to the
population (approx. 52) ever since it was brought online.
Throughout the summer months, the town's 25,000 gallon storage tank is drained which results in
extremely low water pressure throughout the system. When this occurs, members of the
community are forced to curtail water usage by means of restricting watering hours. At least one
tap is sometimes without any water at all. The problems with the system are not altogether clear
Problems could be attributable to diminished flow or pressure at the Hyattville No. 1 Well, or
leaks in the distribution system, inadequate storage, or a combination thereof. The members of
the Hyattville Water Board understand that to proceed past Level I involvement with the WWDC
(and other public lending entities), the community must organize a water district.
The 2002 Level I Master Plan for Tensleep recommended that a Level II feasibility study be
advanced to evaluate the wells, to determine the need for storage, and to evaluate extending a
transmission line south of town provide service to rural users.
16. | PROJECT: | Three Horses Watershed Study | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | Campbell County and Lake DeSmet Conservation
Districts |
| LOCATION: | Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The drainages of Spotted Horse Creek, Dead Horse Creek and Wild Horse Creek are located east
of the Powder River and are tributary to the Powder River. These three watersheds make up the
Three Horses Watershed study area. Due to recent activity involving coalbed methane
exploration and extraction, the Conservation Districts are interested in evaluating the cumulative
impacts to the watershed due to these activities. This project included an analysis of these
impacts as well as estimating costs associated with disposal and treatment of coalbed methane
produced water. The final report was completed in the fall of 2001.
17. | PROJECT: | Upper Wind River Storage | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | State/Tribes |
| LOCATION: | Fremont County |
| PROGRAM: | New Development |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This study looked 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 screened the previously identified sites, evaluated new potential sites, and
determined the least environmentally damaging potential reservoir development that would
provided the supplemental water needed in the Wind River drainage. The final report was
submitted November 30, 2001.
18. | PROJECT: | York/South Side Ditch Master Plan | | | | | |
| LEVEL: | I |
| SPONSOR: | York Ditch Company - South Side Ditch
Company |
| LOCATION: | Sheridan County |
| PROGRAM: | Rehabilitation |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
The York Ditch and the South Side Ditch both divert from the Tongue River and provide
irrigation supply to lands between Dayton and Ranchester. One objective of the study is to
identify how best to rehabilitate and repair their conveyance systems that are more than eighty
years old. Worn gates, a seeping and failure-prone ditch system, and generally undependable
delivery of water plague these delivery systems. Another objective is to provide construction
estimates. The yearly costs for maintenance and upkeep of systems have risen dramatically over
time. These small ditch companies are seeking alternatives that can provide a delivery system
with higher efficiency, less maintenance/upkeep costs, and more effective delivery, especially in
drought and short-supply years.
The York and South Side Ditch Companies are incorporated with the Wyoming Secretary of
State's Office, but are not a public taxing entity. Dependent on Level I outcomes, both
companies may decide on seeking further assistance from WWDC and would then be prepared to
organize as a legal, taxing entity to qualify for consideration of Level II and Level III assistance
from WWDC.
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