Water for 2060: Drought-Proofing Oklahoma. Senator Eddie Fields Oklahoma Senate District 10

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1 Water for 2060: Drought-Proofing Oklahoma Senator Eddie Fields Oklahoma Senate District 10

2 Oklahoma s Water Resources 34 major reservoirs store 13 million acre-feet of water 4,300 public/private & watershed protection lakes Lake Eufaula: Oklahoma s largest lake in surface area (105,000 acres) Lake Texoma: Oklahoma s largest lake in storage (2.6 million acre-feet)

3 Oklahoma s Water Resources 23 major groundwater aquifers store 320 million acre-feet of water Ogallala Aquifer: state s largest groundwater basin # high capacity wells = 3,200 irrigated land = 206,000 acres 86.6 million acre-feet in storage (enough to cover the entire state 2 feet deep)

4 Oklahoma s Precipitation History Climatologists predict that drought will only become more frequent and severe.

5 Drought Conditions & Impacts in Oklahoma Numerous water-related impacts to Agriculture, Water Systems, Industry, Navigation, Tourism, Recreation, etc. Precipitation Streamflows Reservoir Levels Soil Moisture Fire Danger

6 Top 10 U.S. Disasters* (damage in billions) Hurricane Katrina (2005) = $ Sandy (2012) = $ Hurricane Andrew (1992) = $ Drought (1988) = $ Midwest Flooding (1993) = $ Hurricane Ike (2008) = $ Drought (2012) = $ Drought (1980) = $ Hurricane Ivan (2004) = $ Hurricane Wilma (2005) = $ 22 * cost adjusted to 2014 CPI

7 2012 Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan Submitted to Governor and Legislature in 2012 Most technically sound, extensively vetted Plan Executive Report & 13 Watershed Planning Region Reports Overriding goal to provide safe, reliable water supplies to meet needs of all Oklahomans

8 OCWP: Total Water Demands ( )

9 OCWP: 2060 Statewide Water Demand

10 OCWP - Big 8 Priority Recommendations Conservation, Reuse, Recycling Infrastructure Financing Monitoring Supply Reliability Fish & Recreation Flows Excess/Surplus State/Tribal Resolution Regional Planning

11 2012 Update of the OCWP Conserve/Reuse/Recycle OCWP Priority Identify innovative solutions to forecasted water shortages Voluntary programs/policies, financial incentives, and education. Water for 2060 Act sets statewide goal of consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than we consumed in 2010 Advisory Council will make recommendations to Governor and Legislature in late 2015

12 Water for 2060 Signals a Sea Change in Oklahoma Water Management Conservation & Efficiency Drought Management Every day, every year way of life Actions we take in response to reduced supplies Drought drives shortages Conservation helps us prepare for drought and reduce impacts

13 Can We Do It? Consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than we consume today is achievable OCWP Conservation Analysis M&I and Agriculture Statewide Demand Projections & Water Savings for Conservation Scenarios (AFY) Baseline 1,377,318 1,455,309 1,523,273 1,587,406 1,642,069 1,711,392 Scenario I N/A 1,301,816 1,332,781 1,388,603 1,435,807 1,496,643 Scenario II N/A 1,155,397 1,170,248 1,209,372 1,244,123 1,295,569

14 Innovative Solutions Legislative Impact - SB 1187 Encouraged new rules for reuse & other conservation projects Rulemaking process underway Several communities focused on conservation through new practices

15 Innovative Solutions Marginal Quality Water Basins with Greatest Potential to Offset Fresh Water Use with MQ Water

16 Innovative Solutions Regionalization Options Oklahoma has ~700 water systems serving less than 1,000 customers Economy of scale benefits; systems with multiple sources more resistant to drought Oklahoma Water Systems

17 Innovative Solutions Potential Artificial Aquifer Recharge Sites

18 Innovative Solutions Water for 2060 Drought Grants FY 2014 supplemental appropriation of $1.5 million for drought grants Focused on responsible use of water Promoting greater water efficiency AND drought resiliency Awarded to four communities = savings of approx. 23 million gallons per year

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20 Hydro-LOGICAL Cycle Plan ahead, and plan for the worst Conserve as if we re always in drought Reuse/recycle as much as possible Innovate look for alternatives to freshwater for meeting every need Avoid costs, both fiscal and political National Drought Mitigation Center

21 Senator Eddie Fields Oklahoma State Senate 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 530 Oklahoma City, OK (405)