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 6/16/1982 6/16/1982

Well Well

• Mrs. Adams
• Mrs. Adams

Irrigation of Irrigation of 50 acres 50 acres 1.0 cfs 1.0 cfs 6/16/1887 6/16/1887

• Mr. Black
• Mr. Black

Irrigation of Irrigation of 60 acres 60 acres 1.2 cfs 1.2 cfs 6/17/1887 6/17/1887

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?

Irrigation Districts and Private Development

Public-Private Partnerships

Districts and Canal Companies Local, State and Federal Government Development Company

• Expertise
• Funding
• Techniques
• Administration
• Initiative
• Expertise
• Facilities
• Storage Water
• Regulatory

preferences

• Expertise
• Regulations
• Oversight
• Funding
• Enforcement

Managed Aquifer Recharge Public Private

Public-Private

Public Recharge

• Raise water levels
• Increase supply
• Reduce delivery calls

Private Recharge

• Mitigation for existing uses
• Water for new uses

Public-Private Partnership

• Combined benefits
• Hard to achieve

Recharge Development Corporation

Mitigation Plans

• Mitigation of

Existing Uses

• New uses

Providers

(via Contracts)

• Irrigation Districts
• Canal Companies

Recipients (via Contracts)

• Municipalities
• Subdivisions
• Commercial/Industrial
• Existing Irrigation
• Replacement Acres

Corporation

• Owned

Recharge Facilities Technical Processing

• Measurement
• Modeling

Recharge Accounting

Recharge Development Corporation

Mitigation Plans

• Mitigation of

Existing Uses

• New uses

Providers

(via Contracts)

• Irrigation Districts
• Canal Companies

Recipients (via Contracts)

• Municipalities
• Subdivisions
• Commercial/Industrial
• Existing Irrigation
• Replacement Acres

Corporation

• Owned

Recharge Facilities Technical Processing

• Measurement
• Modeling

Recharge Accounting

Thank you.

Website: www.idahowaterengineering.com Email:info@idahowaterengineering.com