Upper Wood Rivers Water Measurement District Steering Committee Meeting October 10, 2011.

Upper Wood Rivers Water Measurement District

Steering Committee Meeting

October 10, 2011

Background:

Order Signed Sept. 21, 2011

First Annual Meeting to be held Nov. 7, 2011

Ground Water Rights Included• All irrigation ground water rights > ½ acre

• All non-irrigation rights > 0.24 cfs

Result: All ground water rights are included except domestic uses as defined by Idaho Code §42-111, and about 40 ground water rights < 0.24 cfs used for purposes other than domestic or irrigation

Ground water uses defined per §42-111 are exempt from water right permit requirements

Number of Ground Water Rights & Wells Included in District

• About 800 ground water rights total

• About 750 unique well locations total (per water rights)

– 537 ground water rights & over 500 wells with irrigation use > 5 acres and/or diversion rate > 0.24 cfs

– 258 ground water rights & over 230 wells with irrigation use < 5 acres

– Total water rights cfs (gross) ≈ 915 cfs

Note: some gw rights/wells already administered by WD37

Steering Committee Goals: Prepare for Nov. 7, 2011 Annual Meeting

Seek hydrographer candidate(s)

Recommend proposed budget

Recommend proposed resolutions

Consider Advisory Committee

Hydrographer Qualifications• Elect hydrographer with

qualifications/experience in:– Water measurement– Water rights– Project management– Minimum Computer proficiency– Good interpersonal skills

Hydrographer Duties• First Year

– Review of measurement plans– Inventory of wells/water rights– Approve plans/variances or provide recommendations– Report potential unauthorized uses to IDWR – Provide reports/budgets/assessments per law

• Second Year– Flow meter or measurement compliance checks– Provide some flow meter calibration– Report potential unauthorized uses to IDWR – Report wells not in compliance with IDWR measurement orders– Provide reports measurement/budgets/assessments per law

District/Hydrographer Requirements• Office & Field Equipment– PC or Laptop with DSL/broadband Internet access– Telephone/cell phone, answering machine, copier– Vehicle (4 x 4 truck)– Flow meter (closed conduit required, open channel

recommended)– GPS reciever– Ground water level probe(s)– Camera

Measuring Devices & Timelines• 5/1/2012: Submit measurement plans for non-

irrigation wells & irrigation wells > 5 acres

• 1/1/2013: Install devices for non-irrigation wells

• 3/15/2013: Install devices for irrig. wells > 5 ac

• 4/1/2013: Submit plans for irrig. wells < 5 ac

• 3/15/2014: Install devices for irrig. wells < 5 ac

Operation Timeline• November – December 2011– Prepare/send assessments w/measurement plan forms

• January – May 2012– Hold flow meter workshop with IDWR (January)– Work with users on plans

• May – October 2012– Continue work w/users on plans, site visits & inventory

• October – November 2012– Prepare for 2013 annual meeting

Annual Meeting Preparation:

Hydrographer Candidates

Budget Considerations

Advisory Committee Considerations

Resolutions