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WATER PLANNING NEWS |
| Wyoming Water Development Commission |
Spring 2010 |
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The Statewide River Basin Planning Process was initiated in 1999 with an appropriation from the legislature
for the Bear River and Green River Basin Plans. Those plans were completed in 2001 and the planning process
was continued through the other five major river basins (Powder/Tongue, Northeast, Wind/Bighorn, Snake/Salt,
and Platte). The Platte River Basin Plan was completed in 2006 and was the last plan to be completed. With
completion of the Platte Plan, an update of the State Framework Water Plan was begun. The 2007 Framework
Water Plan was to update the 1973 framework water plan and to consolidate information from the seven basin
plans.
The Statewide River Basin Planning Process is a continuing effort to maintain and update river basin plans
and the Framework Water Plan. With completion of the Framework Water Plan in 2007, the second round or
phase of river basin planning began. The first plan scheduled to be reviewed and updated was the Green
River Basin Plan because the basin was experiencing unprecedented growth and changes in land and water
use. Additionally, there are other pressures on water resources within the Colorado River system which
made an update important and timely. The Green River Plan update was initiated in 2007.
The second basin plan to be reviewed and updated was the Wind/Bighorn River Basin Plan. The plan update
was to enhance surface water modeling for the basin, and to improve and update the basin economic growth
scenarios. The Wind/Bighorn River Basin Plan Update was started in 2008.
As part of the second phase of river basin planning, groundwater resources are being considered in more
detail. Agreements were developed with the Wyoming State Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Geological Survey and the University of Wyoming, Water Resources Data System to conduct a groundwater
resources evaluation for the Green River Basin and the Wind/Bighorn River Basin.
Green River Basin Plan II
The Green River Basin Plan Update (Green River Basin Plan II) is nearing completion. Revised surface
water modeling for the update includes the last 10 years of hydrologic data in the analysis. This 10 year
period includes the 2000.s drought. Results are as expected, showing changes in water availability and
use. Municipal and domestic water use increased by 5% in the basin, while irrigation use decreased by
1% and industrial use decreased by 14%. There is an overall decrease in the basin.s water supply of 13%.
Availability estimates show a decrease in water throughout the basin with total average
flow decreased by 215,000 acre feet.
Wind/Bighorn River Basin Plan Update
The Wind/Bighorn Basin Plan Update is also nearing completion. One key component of this project was to
update the spreadsheet models used in the 2003 plan. The most recent hydrology, which included the 2000.s
drought, has been incorporated into the modeling. Additionally, PRISM precipitation data have been
incorporated in the analysis. Figure 2 shows how the basin precipitation is divided with the greatest
amount (10.1 million acre feet per year) going to plant transpiration or to aquifer recharge. The smallest
segment on the chart, 1.5 million acre feet, is the amount of water consumptively used in the basin annually.
There is an estimated 2.4 million acre feet of water per year leaving the basin that is available for use
in Wyoming. Estimates for this update show a decrease in available water of about 90,000 acre feet per year
under average conditions, or approximately a 4% reduction in water supply from the 2003 plan.
Both the Green River update and the Wind/Bighorn update draft final reports will be available for review on
the Wyoming Water Development Commission web page http://wwdc.state.wy.us and the Wyoming
State Water Plan web page http://waterplan.state.wy.us . These plans contain a great deal of information
about water within the basins and are excellent planning tools.
The Green River Basin groundwater evaluation is complete and online at the above websites. The draft
Wind/Bighorn River Basin groundwater evaluation will be available online in the near future.
Every two years the WWDO and WRDS conduct a survey of all irrigation systems in Wyoming. This February,
175 entities from around the state were sent surveys to update information about their operations.
Participants can take the survey online (http://wwdc.state.wy.us/PWS_Survey.html) or submit a hardcopy
to WRDS. Forms are available online at (http://wwdc.state.wy.us/irrsys/form.html). The survey provides
valuable information to state agencies, irrigation districts and the public. It aids in prioritizing the
funds available for feasibility studies and project construction. In addition, this information allows
irrigation districts and companies to compare operational issues, financial data, and general information
with others around the state. Results from the survey will be made available online this May
(see http://wwdc.state.wy.us/surveys/surveys.html for prior survey results). In the near future, WRDS
plans to integrate these new results into our online web mapping tool.
Eighteen New Construction Projects Approved by the 2010 Legislature
Eighteen new Level III construction projects were approved by the legislature as part of the Omnibus
Water Bill - Construction. There were 12 new projects funded from the New Development Program,
Water Account I, and 6 projects funded from the Rehabilitation Program, Water Account II. Appropriations
for Water Account I totaled $19,707,350 and appropriations for Water Account II totaled $7,656,040. These
totals do not include additional funding for ongoing projects. For additional information concerning the
projects, please contact the Water Development Office at 307-777-7626.
Legislature Approves New Water Planning Projects for 2010
The 2010 Legislature approved the Omnibus Water Bill . Planning, which includes $4,375,000 for 18 new Level
I and II water projects.
Following is a brief description of each project. If additional information is desired, please contact the
Water Development Office. Appropriations are shown in parentheses.
Austin Wall: This study will include a geotechnical analysis of the dam and canal seepage loss
investigations. ($400,000)
Basin Planning Environmental/Recreation: This study is to assist the Water Development Office in
developing methodologies to define environmental and recreational water demands and benefits, and
incorporate this information into River Basin Planning. ($75,000)
Bear River Basin Groundwater Analysis: This project is to conduct a groundwater analysis of the Bear
River Basin similar to those currently underway for the Wind/Bighorn and Platte River Basins. ($175,000)
Buffalo Creek Watershed: This watershed study will review existing information, assess surface and
groundwater availability, and develop a rehabilitation and management plan for surface water storage,
irrigation system rehabilitation, and upland water development. ($250,000)
Buffalo Northwest Water Supply: This study will identify options and alternatives for expanding water
supply to areas north of Buffalo between French Creek Road and the Interstate 90 corridor. ($75,000)
Cottonwood Lake Enlargement: This study will include a geotechnical study on the Cottonwood Lake Dam,
and will further refine initial design and construction cost estimates. ($290,000)
Kemmerer/Diamondville: This study will include preparation of conceptual designs and cost estimates for
several deficiencies in transmission and storage identified in the recent master plan. ($100,000)
Keystone/Farmers Canal Master Plan: This study is to conduct an irrigation system inventory and master
plan for the Keystone and Farmers Canals near Burlington. ($250,000)
Little Snake Canals: This study will examine replacement of the 4 Mile Spill, installing a parshall flume
on the State Line Canal, and identification of alternatives to mitigate canal bank sloughing and canal
seeps. ($100,000)
Lucerne: This study will include preparation of a water system master plan and a feasibility study for
potential expansion. ($150,000)
Nowood Storage: This study will further explore storage opportunities, and will focus primarily on
purpose and need, hydrologic analysis, and site investigations. ($250,000)
Rolling Hills Master Plan: This study is to conduct a water system inventory and master plan for the
Rolling Hills public water supply system. ($250,000)
Shell Canal Tunnel: This study will further evaluate rehabilitation of the Shell Canal Tunnel, including
a geotechnical investigation and conceptual designs and cost estimates. ($150,000)
Shell Valley Storage: This study will further explore storage opportunities, and will focus primarily
on purpose and need, hydrologic analysis, and site investigations. ($250,000)
Squaw Creek: This study will include a comprehensive feasibility study to address supply deficits
associated with the sponsor.s present groundwater sources. ($175,000)
Thayne Storage: This study will investigate the potential for additional storage as necessary to address
concerns identified in the recent master plan. ($85,000)
Thunder Basin Watershed: This watershed study will review existing information, assess surface and
groundwater availability, and develop a rehabilitation and management plan for surface water storage,
irrigation system rehabilitation, and upland water development. ($250,000)
Wright Well: This study will include construction of a new Fort Union Formation well. ($1,100,000)
- April 20, 2010 - Bear River Commission Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT
- May 7, 2010 - Water Development Commission Meeting, Cheyenne, WY
- May 10-14, 2010 - Board of Control Meeting, Cheyenne, WY
- May 19, 2010 - Platte BAG Meeting
- May 20, 2010 - Wind/Bighorn BAG Meeting
- May 25, 2010 - Green II BAG Meeting
- May 26, 2010 - Snake/Salt BAG Meeting
- May 27, 2010 - Bear BAG Meeting
- June 2-4, 2010 - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum, Cheyenne, WY
- June 3, 2010 - Joint Water Development Commission/Select Water Committee Meeting, Cheyenne, WY
- June 9-10, 2010 - Upper Colorado River Commission Meeting, Cheyenne, WY
- June 16, 2010 - Powder/Tongue BAG Meeting
- June 17, 2010 - Northeast WY BAG Meeting
- July 21-23, 2010 - Western States Water Council Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV
- August 18-20, 2010 - Joint Water Development Commission/Select Water Committee Workshop/Summer Tour/Meeting, Cody, WY
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