Conjunctive Management of Surface and Ground Water in Dawson and Buffalo Counties

1. Conjunctive Management of Surface and Ground Waterin Dawson and Buffalo Counties Sponsors

2. The development of ground water and surface water irrigation has provided positive benefits for the Central Platte valley Introduction

3. Introduction Nebraska ranks second among the states with respect to the area of irrigated acreage and the quantity of water used for irrigation.

4. Introduction The irrigation water comes from both ground and surface water sources. Dots are irrigation wells

5. Background • Irrigation development in Dawson & Western Buffalo County areas started in late 1800s • Surface Water irrigation began with development of canals & lateral system • 7 irrigation companies: • Gothenburg, Dawson Co. & Kearney owned/operated by NPPD • Thirty Mile, Six Mile, Cozad, Orchard-Alfalfa privately owned but purchase NPPD storage water • Supplies approximately 83,000 acres • Average annual storage and natural flow diversion is approximately 230,000 AF

6. Background Surface Water

7. Background • Ground Water irrigation initially began during drought of 1930s • Developed well drilling & irrigation pump technology • By June 2001 well registration records show 2900 wells have a permit to irrigate 300,000 acres • The ground water aquifer has an average saturated thickness of 390 feet with a total storage capacity of approximately 29,400,000 AF

8. Background Ground Water Dots are irrigation wells

9. Background The use of both ground water and surface water for irrigation in Nebraska has resulted in significant changes in ground water levels Source: 2002 US Geological Circular 1139

10. Background Water Budget: • To be completed…

11. Background Water Supply Issues: • Over-appropriated • Ground water mining if surface water contracts cancelled • Water quality • Endangered species • LB 962 requirements – integrated management plan

12. Background Major Stakeholders: • Ground Water Irrigators • Surface Water Irrigators • Municipal & Industrial Suppliers

13. Benefits of Conjunctive Mgmt • Improve reliability of water supply • Maximize economic return by optimizing the total water supply • Maintain quality of water supply • Minimize potential for conflict • Maintain a balance between water quantity and quality and major stakeholders

14. Conjunctive Management Study • Entities presently involved with the investigation: • Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) • Central Platte Natural Resource District (CPNRD) • Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) • Lee Wilson and Associates

15. Conjunctive Management Study • NDNR, CPNRD, and NPPD formed the Conjunctive Management Project Coalition • Coalition will: • Study, develop, and implement a conjunctive surface and ground water management program. • Inform and educate the public • Surface and ground water resources of the Central Platte valley • Effects and impacts on the people and natural resources.

16. Conjunctive Management Study Purpose: • Develop comprehensive conjunctive surface and ground water management plan • Optimize the total water supply and manage for both surface and ground water quality • Sustain the surface water delivery system • Recharge benefits • Water quality benefits • Increase irrigated lands? • Reduce demands on Lake McConaughy?

17. Conjunctive Management Study Purpose (cont’d): • Study how surface and ground water compliment each other now and in the future • Account for existing water budget • Study costs of providing surface water • Propose alternatives for offsetting costs • Analyze social & political environment • Evaluate operating entity to implement conjunctive management • Phased approach for study

18. Conjunctive Management Study • Phase I: Data collection and evaluation • Phase II: Plan development • Phase III: Plan implementation

19. Conjunctive Management Study Funding: • Phase I: $120,000 • In-kind services and cash from Coalition • Phase II: $626,000 • $311,000 in-kind services from Coalition • $315,000 from Environmental Trust • Phase III: Contingent on Phases I and II

20. Conjunctive Management Study Phase I Resource Information Management Information Management Tools Existing Conditions Report Issues and Objectives Case Studies Existing Models Meta-data Base Survey of Users Synoptic Data Survey Institutional Analysis Conceptual Models Valley Water Budget Phase II Scope

21. Conjunctive Management Study Resource Information Existing Conditions Report General description of land and water use conditions Fall 2004 Catalog resource data from local, state or federal agencies Meta-data Base Fall 2004 Synoptic Data Survey Collect set of surface water flow measurements Summer/ Fall 2004 Valley Water Budget Quantify regional water budget Fall 2004

22. Conjunctive Management Study Management Information Identify NDNR, CPNRD, and NPPD objectives to be achieved by water management Issues and Objectives Fall 2004 Survey of Users Interviews with water users Fall/Winter 2004/2005 Institutional Analysis Summary of existing management authorities and programs Winter 2005

23. Conjunctive Management Study Management Tools Summary of successful and unsuccessful conjunctive management programs Fall/Winter 2004/2005 Case Studies Fall/Winter 2004/2005 Existing Models Evaluate existing analytical tools Workshop to outline preferred model or models Winter/ Spring 2005 Conceptual Models Spring 2005 Phase II Scope Create Scope of Work for Phase II

24. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Hydrologic modeling, analysis, and planning • Use COHYST? • Evaluate existing conjunctive management • Impacts of management scenarios • Water quality analysis • Current conditions and impacts of management alternatives

25. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Economic evaluation and modeling • Costs and benefits of conjunctive management alternatives • Assessment of conjunctive management scenarios • Scenario development • Public involvement • Scenario modeling

26. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Development of plan implementation process • Evaluate existing or new political subdivision • Plan financing • Plan regulations • Hydrologic and water quality monitoring program • Public education

27. Conjunctive Management Study Phase II implementation: • Phase II to commence in July 2005 • Locate qualified firms & individuals • Levels of applicable experience • Familiarity with Nebraska hydrology • Time frames/schedules • Phase II scheduled to last 2 years • Corresponds to Integrated Management Plan timeline

28. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase III activities: • Assess Phase II work products • Implement the plan • Monitor the effectiveness of the plan

29. Questions?

30. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Refine existing water budget for area. • Consider any organizational requirements. • Consider any necessary policies or procedures. • Consider any necessary monitoring or data requirements. • Obtain input from local water users. • Develop alternatives for managing the water supply.

31. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Identify specific operating costs for recommended alternatives. • Consider the long-term sustainability water quantity and quality. • Identify physical changes or additions including reservoirs or canals. • Consider alternative crops that maximize revenue and save water.

32. Conjunctive Management Study Anticipated Phase II activities: • Identify impacts to producers, sponsors, or third parties. • Identify possible funding opportunities for conjunctive management alternatives. • Identify an alternative or alternatives to be recommended for a feasibility level study. • Develop a communication plan.