Water Rights Issues in Wasatch County

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Water Rights Issuesin Wasatch County

• John Mann
• Regional Engineer
• Utah Division of Water Rights

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Objectives

• Water Right Applications
• Changes from surface to ground water
• Non-use

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Population Growth Water

• Current Population (06) 2.6 Million
• Estimated Population 2020 - 3.5 Million
• 2050 - 5.4 Million
• Estimated Water Needs 2020 215,000 AF 2050
  770,000 AF

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Population Projections Wasatch Co

• 5 Increase per year
• 2nd Fastest Growing in state
• Population will double about every 25 years

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Change Applications (73-3-3)

• A person entitled to the use of water.
• Change the Point of Diversion Place of
  Use Purpose of Use
• Heretofore uses / Hereafter proposal
• Evaluation
• GIVE UP ONE to GET ONE !

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Diligence Claims

• To make rights pre-dating 1903 (or 1935) a matter
  of public record.
• Must identify the original user and be the
  successor in interest
• Map all details of diversion and use
• Limited to the original beneficial uses

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Water Balance

• Recharge
• Precipitation
• Runoff
• Return flow from irrigation

• Discharge
• Evapotranspiration
• Underflow
• Wells

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WELL INTERFERENCE
WELL INTERFERENCE
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Conversion of Ag Water

• The easy water has been developed
• Changes in water - more complex
• Support conversion of ag water
• Change Applications Bulk Workload
• Need the water user assistance

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Example of Recent Change Application

• Decreed water right Upper Provo River
• 14th Class Right no storage
• Direct flow available varies (average until about
  June 30)
• Only 1.0 acre-foot
• Filed a change application to convert from
  irrigation use to domestic use

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(contd)

• Seeking year-round use (domestic)
• Are there impacts?
• Is there potential enlargement?
• How do we handle this situation? Allow changes
  in water use practices Protect prior / existing
  water rights

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Another example

• Share of stock in Timpanogos Irrigation Co.
• Old evaluation 3.15 acre-feet / share
• New evaluation 2.364 acre-feet / share
• Change applications create ongoing
  responsibilities for the irrigation company and
  shareholders.

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Municipal water rights

• Not restricted to specific uses
• Limited by diversion and depletion
• Must establish and perfect rights
• No special treatment under Utah law including
  nonuse

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Future Efforts Regarding Change Applications

• Public education / training
• Surface / ground water interactions
• Assistance from the water community
• Manage the system based on science

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BENEFICIAL USE IS THE MEASURE AND LIMIT OF ALL
WATER RIGHTS.
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Thank You
Questions?