GROUND WATER RECHARGE and MITIGATION UNDER CONJUNCTIVE - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

GROUND WATER RECHARGE and MITIGATION UNDER CONJUNCTIVE ADMINISTRATION in the WOOD RIVER BASIN Dave Tuthill Ernie Carlsen October 22, 2013

Idaho Water Engineering  Founded in 2009  Water Resource Engineering throughout Idaho  Water measurement  Water rights  Water marketing  Mitigation plans  In September opened an office in Ketchum, 321 S. Leadville, Suite A  www.idahowaterengineering.com

Topics 1. Water Availability in the Wood River Valley 2. Conjunctive Administration and Conjunctive Management 3. Potential Solutions 4. The Blaine County Role

Hypothesis: Water in the river and for other uses in the valley is vital to the economic health of the Wood River Valley

What is happening to Water Supplies in the Wood River Valley?

ECOSYSTEM CARBON AND WATER SERVICES FOR THE NORTHERN ROCKIES Idaho Epscor Conference Steven W. Running Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana October 8, 2013

August Streamflow Trends 1950- 2007 Normalized change in discharge for non- regulated sites Leppi et al., 2011 Leppi et al 2011

Both the 7-day and 30-day low-flow analyses for the Big Wood River near Bellevue gaging station (13141000) show a mean decrease of about 15 cubic feet per second since the 1940s, and mean monthly discharge values show statistically significant decreasing trends for December, January, and February .

Both the 7-day and 30-day low-flow analyses for The Big Wood River at Hailey gaging station the Big Wood River near Bellevue gaging station (13139500) showed a statistically significant trend of a (13141000) show a mean decrease of about 15 25-percent increase in mean monthly base flow for cubic feet per second since the 1940s, and mean March over the 90-year period of record. This increase monthly discharge values show statistically in streamflow may be a function of earlier snowpack significant decreasing trends for December, runoff, as seen in basins throughout the Western January, and February . United States.

And, as an additonal complication… a prediction… Relative to water delivery in the Wood River Valley… Change is coming between now and 2015

In Idaho the appropriation doctrine is used for the delivery both surface water rights and ground water rights — “first in time is first in right”

Mrs. Clark Administered by a State of Idaho Irrigation of Water District 500 acres which hires a Watermaster 10.0 cfs If a water right is not used Well 6/16/1982 for five consecutive years it can be lost due to forfeiture Mr. Black Irrigation of 60 acres 1.2 cfs Mrs. Adams 6/17/1887 Irrigation of 50 acres 1.0 cfs 6/16/1887 1 miner’s inch = .02 cubic feet per second = 9 gallons per minute

Scenario 1 – during 2012 Example – Scenario 2 – during 2014 or Which right is most 2015 likely to be curtailed? Scenario 3 – during 2020 1954 Water Right Ground Water City of Ketchum, Municipal 1956 Water Right 1959 Water Right Ground Water Non-tributary ½ acre lawn irrigation 24 acres irrigation 1886 Water Right Big Wood River 32 acres Irrigation

Minimum Stream Flow Rights on the Big Wood River Above Magic Reservoir ( 1/16/1986) SNRA to Warm Springs--200/150 cfs ~ 37-8258 Warm Springs Cr. (6/19/1981) Warm Springs to District 45 Canal 70 cfs ~ 37-7919 (10/16/1987) Warm Springs to District 45 Canal 119 cfs ~ 37-8307 NOTE: 37-7919 and 37-8307 are “Stacked Rights” for 189 cfs Slide by Dr. Lee Brown

Definitions  Conjunctive Administration: administration of the ground water resource by IDWR and others  Conjunctive Management: optimization of ground and surface water resources

Mitigation  Merriam-Webster definition : To cause to become less harsh or hostile  Implemented to prevent injury to existing water rights  Must be in-time, in-place and replacement water must be for full amount of injury

Steps Toward Conjunctive Administration in the Wood River Valley  Adjudicate the surface water rights ~ 1900  Establish Water District 37 to administer surface water rights ~ 1900  Commence delivery of surface water rights ~ 1900  Adjudicate ground water rights – 1987 – 2013  Establish a Water Measurement District -- 2011  Incorporate ground water rights in Water District 37 - - 2013  Commence delivery of ground water rights – 2014 or 2015 (per IDWR)

Where are Aquifer Storage Opportunities? Map from IDEQ Website

189 cfs

189 cfs

Ground Water Recharge Filings in the Wood River Basin

Primary Drivers of Water Projects in Idaho ? State Government Role Federal Government Private Sector Role Role 1865 1900 1965 2011

Role of Recharge State Privately Sponsored Sponsored Managed Managed Recharge Recharge Incidental Recharge-- No Credit 1865 1900 1965 2011

Potential Solutions  Form one or more Ground Water Districts  Initiate government-sponsored recharge  Support private ground water recharge

Ground Water District TITLE 42 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE -- WATER RIGHTS AND RECLAMATION CHAPTER 52 GROUND WATER DISTRICTS 42-5224. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The board shall, in addition to any other powers and duties provided in this chapter, and provided that nothing in this chapter shall abrogate or impair the right of any person to take any action necessary to acquire, protect, challenge or defend any water right, have the following powers and duties: (1) To acquire, and/or construct, operate, control or use by appropriation, grant, purchase, bequest, devise, contract or lease works or facilities, water rights, water permits or licenses, well-drilling permits, wells, pipelines, ditches and any other real and personal property (including easements and rights-of-way) or contract entitlement within or without the district necessary or convenient to fully exercise its powers ; and 20 other paragraphs enumerating powers

Government-Sponsored Recharge  Could be Federal, State, County or Municipal  Must be done with a water right  Funding?  New ground water recharge legislation has been proposed to be submitted to the next Idaho legislative session

Idaho Statutory Guidance on Ground Water Recharge  42-234. GROUND WATER RECHARGE (1) It is the policy of the state of Idaho to promote and encourage the  optimum development and augmentation of the water resources of this state. The legislature deems it essential, therefore, that water projects designed to advance this policy be given maximum support. The legislature finds that the use of water to recharge ground water basins in accordance with Idaho law and the state water plan may enhance the full realization of our water resource potential by furthering water conservation and increasing the water available for beneficial use . (2) The legislature hereby declares that the appropriation of water for  purposes of ground water recharge shall constitute a beneficial use of water. The director of the department of water resources is authorized to issue permits and licenses for the purpose of ground water recharge, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and in compliance with other applicable Idaho law and the state water plan.

Private Recharge  Recharged water is tracked by models  Funded by recipients of benefits  Some recharged water goes to the benefit of the aquifer  Must be done with a water right

Blaine County Role  Presently a Protestant in a ground water recharge application  Response letter from Innovative Mitigation Solutions addresses concerns  Blaine County Commissioners are encouraged to support ground water recharge projects

Thank you. 321 S. Leadville, Suite A, Ketchum 208-378-1513 Website: www.idahowaterengineering.com Email:info@idahowaterengineering.com