Morgan Valley Water Right Issues S Ross Hansen

Morgan Valley Water Right Issues S. Ross Hansen P. E. , L. S. 7/20/2011 Public Meeting Surveying principles Region Engineer 1

Introduction l Why the presentation? – 2007 -2008 Rapid population growth caused concern about Morgan’s water resources – May 2008 public meeting to “kickoff” study – March 2011 UGS released Study – Today - Effects of Study on water right administration Surveying principles 2

Used from UGS study, Hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Ut. Pg 7 Surveying principles 3

Overview l Discuss Division of Water Rights pertinent findings in the UGS report – Water budget Methods of obtaining right to use water in Morgan Valley l Fundamentals of Exchange Applications l State Engineer proposed policy for Morgan Valley l Surveying principles 4

Vocabulary l l l l Acre-foot - An acre of land 1’ deep water CFS - Cubic Feet per Second G. W. – Groundwater POD – Point of Diversion S. E. – State Engineer’s Office a. k. a. Division of Water Rights UGS - Utah Geologic Survey WBWCD - Weber Basin Water Conservancy District Surveying principles 5

UGS - Water Right Pertinent l l l Surface water inflow = 225 k acre-feet Surface water outflow = 342 k acre-feet River gains 117 k acre-feet (342 k - 225 k) In valley precipitation >> valley depletion (ET and M&I) Valley fill aquifer – Up to 600’ deep, recoverable volume= 170 k acre-feet – Good quality and good transmissivity. l Bedrock aquifer – Fractured/highly variable water yield Surveying principles 6

State Engineer G. W. Evaluation River accretion = ( outflow - inflow) l Using data from 2005 l Eliminating precipitation and runoff events an average accretion to river can be found. l Average daily accretion 183 acre-feet per day l Surveying principles 7

State Engineer G. W. Evaluation Valley fill aquifer is full Aquifer recoverable volume = 170 k acre-feet Seepage to the River 59 k acre-feet annually Surveying principles Recharge from precipitation, valley margin infiltration. Total approved and/or perfected G. W. applications = +/- 4. 4 k acrefeet 8

Obtain Right to Use Water l Morgan Valley is part of the Weber River Drainage Basin – Closed to new appropriations of groundwater in mid 1960 s l To use water in Morgan Valley: – Acquire existing water rights l File a change application - relinquish historic use and begin new use. – Exchange Applications Surveying principles 9

Exchange Application Basics WBWCD project water is collected and stored during winter months l Person can begin a new use of water in the Weber River Drainage Basin and divert water from new POD. l WBWCD releases an equivalent amount from upstream storage to compensate down stream rights. l Surveying principles 10

Perfecting an Exchange Application Enter into contract with WBWCD l Pay for contract. l File Exchange application with S. E. l Construct new works. l File Proof of Beneficial Use. l Receive certificate from S. E. l Continue to pay annual contract. l Surveying principles 11

Proposed Policy for Morgan Valley l No change – clarification only – No new appropriations – Continue to allow Exchange applications for: l l l Wells in the valley fill aquifer. Direct diversion from River Exchanges proposing wells in the bedrock aquifers along or above valley margins: – No guarantee that water yielding fracture can be located. – Will need to demonstrate to the S. E. that G. W. is not contributing to the flows of a surface source which does not receive a full year supply. (i. e. Study) Surveying principles 12

Used from UGS study, Hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Ut. Pg 46 Surveying principles 13

Where to Get More Info. l UGS Study: Hydrogeology of Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Utah l Water Rights web site – http: //waterrights. utah. gov/ Surveying principles 14

Written Comment/Concerns l Please submit any written comments or questions by mailing them to: – Utah Division of Water Rights PO Box 146300 Salt Lake City UT 84114 -6300 – Fax: 801 -538 -7467 – Email: rosshansen@utah. gov Please identify subject as: “Comments on Morgan Valley Policy” Surveying principles 15

QUESTIONS? ? Thank you Surveying principles 16