Challenges and Opportunities of Surface and Ground Water - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Nevada Water Resources Association 2015 Annual Conference Challenges and Opportunities of Surface and Ground Water Interactions in Idaho and Beyond David R. Tuthill, Jr., Ph.D., P.E. January 29, 2014

Outline  Idaho and many other Western States  recognize a connection between surface water and ground water and ground water  First in time is first in right   Water right adjudication enables joint  (conjunctive) administration  Continuation of pumping junior wells requires  mitigation  Ground water recharge can be a solution 

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”

Problem Water deliveries must consider connections between ground water and surface water (conjunctive administration) if fair delivery is to be achieved if fair delivery is to be achieved

Mrs. Clark Mrs. Clark Irrigation of Irrigation of 500 acres 500 acres 10.0 cfs 10.0 cfs Well Well 6/16/1982 6/16/1982 Mr. Black Mr. Black Irrigation of Irrigation of 60 acres 60 acres 1.2 cfs 1.2 cfs Mrs. Adams Mrs. Adams 6/17/1887 6/17/1887 Irrigation of Irrigation of 50 acres 50 acres 1.0 cfs 1.0 cfs 6/16/1887 6/16/1887

Full Article available at IWE website

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  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  Construct a ground water model – 2015   Receive a “Delivery Call” from a senior water right   Commence delivery of ground water rights – 2015 or  2016 (per IDWR)

So…. What is the solution?  To the extent there is an available  water supply, implement water supply, implement Managed Aquifer Recharge

Full Article available at IWE website

Full Article available at IWE website

Full Article available at IWE website

What entities will develop storage and recharge in the future? Public-Private Partnerships Irrigation Private Districts and Districts and Development Development Canal Companies Company • Expertise Local, State and • Expertise • Facilities • Funding Federal • Storage Water • Techniques • Regulatory Government • Administration preferences • Expertise • Initiative • Regulations • Oversight • Funding • Enforcement

Managed Aquifer Recharge Public Public Private Private Public-Private Public-Private Partnership Recharge Recharge • Combined benefits • Raise water levels • Mitigation for existing uses • Hard to achieve • Increase supply • Water for new uses • Reduce delivery calls

Recharge Recharge Development Development Corporation Corporation Corporation Corporation Technical Technical -Owned -Owned Recipients Recipients Processing Processing Recharge Recharge Recharge Recharge (via Contracts) (via Contracts) -M easurement -M easurement Facilities Facilities -Modeling -Modeling -Municipalities -Municipalities -Subdivisions -Subdivisions Accounting Accounting -Commercial/Industrial -Commercial/Industrial -Existing Irrigation -Existing Irrigation -Replacement Acres -Replacement Acres Providers Providers (via Contracts) (via Contracts) - Irrigation Districts - Irrigation Districts Mitigation Plans Mitigation Plans -Canal Companies -Canal Companies -Mitigation of -Mitigation of Existing Uses Existing Uses - New uses - New uses

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