Ground Water Management on the Palouse Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC) Steve Robischon Slides 41-80

Transcription

1 Ground Water Management on the Palouse Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC) Steve Robischon Slides Idaho Washington Aquifer Collaborative (IWAC) Meeting December 9, 2014

2 1971 About two years ago, the Commmittee deliberated the feasibility of relying on the groundwater resources... Because of the many unknowns... the Committee set aside detailed groundwater studies at that time The present position of the PMWRC is that the communities should not be placed in the rather untenable spot of deciding yes or no on a surface water alternative on the basis of current information.

3 Early 70 s Pumped Storage

4 Pumped Storage Proposal We understand a request for funding a study of pumped storage energy development... is before Congress Our Committee... solicit[s] your support of financing such a study Uncertainty as to the ability of the present groundwater source... has kept the committee... evaluating potentialities

5 Pumped Storage Proposal I have been advised... that Senator McClure has announced that... the Corps of Engineers... appropriation does specifically specify money for the Union Flat Pumped Storage Investigation.

6 Pumped Storage Proposal A fiery confrontation appears brewing between farmers in an area southwest of Pullman and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have formed OPAL. Organization for the Preservation of Agricultural Land. OPAL opposes the proposal because of the loss of farmland...

7 Pumped Storage Proposal... a delegation of more than 900 opponents... have formed OPAL. Organization for the Preservation of Agricultural Land. OPAL opposes the proposal because... of suggested the loss of instead farmland a feasibility... study on whether it s feasible to have an Army Corps of Engineers.

8 Organization for Preservation of Agricultural Land Suggestion (1976) Our organization is greatly concerned about the future policy of your efforts in your joint venture in regards to water research It is our suggestion.. That authority to secure projects be greatly curtailed.... all offices concerned should give formal authorization for each project... To further restrict their authority...

9 PMWRC Becomes Inactive (1976) I suggest we better decide soon what the future of our Committee is to be.... assess what our Administrators views are If any agree in principle with the OPAL letter, I m for abandoning further work.

10 Crosby (WSU) oral report projections vs. actual Crosby (WSU) death prompts PMWRC reconvening Recommend careful monitoring be continued Recommend update to Barker model (see Lum et al, 1990)

11 A Little Water Law

12 IDWR Letter to WDOE This is to advise you of the reason Idaho has protested Application... filed by Washington State University... The model predicts that should withdrawals increase even at a rate as low as one percent per year the aquifer will not reach a recharge/discharge equilibrium and water level declines will continue...

13 IDWR Letter to WDOE I propose... meet. A memorandum of understanding between the two agencies could be developed which would clearly identify the conditions under which additional water use development would be allowed, outline conservation programs which would be enforced, and support the development of a long term management plan for the region

14 WDOE Response to IDWR Letter The Department of Ecology has a great deal of interest. I concur that a meeting between the two agencies should take place to initiate the plan. I would suggest that a representative from each of the two cities and universities... attend the meeting.

15 Resolution of Understanding (PMWRC, IDWR, WDOE) IDWR and WDE further agree to pursue the implementation of a coordinated Washington - Idaho ground water management Plan for the Pullman - Moscow basin in accordance with their respective state law policies. The Pullman - Moscow Water Resources Committee (PMWRC) agrees to work with the state agencies and to serve as the forum for input from local governments, interest groups and private citizens.

16 Ground Water Management Plan

17 Ground Water Management Plan Chapter 6 Roles The role of the COMMITTEE is to encourage entities to implement the PLAN... provide a forum for the exchange of successful and effective management policies, strategies, and techniques... gather, maintain and evaluate a data base of well locations, water consumption and water levels... To further refine the MODEL, the COMMITTEE will continue to acquire, maintain, and upgrade information as it relates to the ground water system.

18 Ground Water Management Plan Chapter Goals To provide for future beneficial use of the basin ground water without depleting the basin aquifers while protecting the quality of the water. To promote a program of public education and awareness regarding basin ground water management issues. To promote careful monitoring and analysis of the ground water level and usage data for the basin. To continue to explore possible supplemental water sources for anticipated and potential future water use in the basin. To review and make recommendations on all water use or land use applications whose anticipated impact on the ground water system. potentially lies outside the stated goals of the plan or policies adopted by the member entities. To review and make recommendations relative to the development of an agreement for water transfers across the state line.

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20 Reasonable Levels Reasonable Levels Lum, Smoot, Ralston Model % Annual Increase 1% Annual Increase 125% of avg 125% of avg Acceptable Time Acceptable Time

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22 3,500 3, % Ceiling = 3,087 Million Gallons Combined Annual Pumping * Millions of Gallons * Moscow, Pullman, UI, WSU 2,809 2,500 2,659 2,521 2,579 2,647 2,523 2,650 2,671 2,688 2,680 2,536 2,682 2,424 2,440 2,477 2,453 2,361 2,386 2,251 2,329 2,384 2,367 2,000 Annual Pumping 5 Year Running Average 1% Annual Increase 125% Ceiling

23 Population Estimate (Whitman + Latah) Pummping (Pullman, Moscow, WSU, UI) Trends: , BG 82,020 84,790 74, ,730 69, Population 22% Date 2.37 BG Pumping 11% Water Levels 21 ft WSU Test Well Static Water Level Elevation (ft above MSL)

24 Ground Water Management Plan Chapter Mission and Goals Mission: To ensure a long-term, quality water supply for the Palouse Basin region. Consistent with the Palouse Basin Groundwater Management Plan, develop and Implement a balanced basin wide Water Supply and Use Program by Create and maintain an action plan for aquifer system sustainability, enhancement and/or alternate water supply development. Direct research and implement pilot projects necessary to understand the basin hydrogeology in a manner sufficient to support the Water Supply and Use Program and the affiliated supply projects. Encourage and facilitate entities in meeting their specific pumping, conservation, efficient use, water recycling and other goals. Educate entities and the public on the state of the basin water supply and the status of PBAC s mission and goals. Maintain harmonious and effective working relationships across the state line to fairly meet the needs of all entities.

25 What to Do? Use Less Inside Outside Reuse Some Find More

26 Population Estimate (Whitman + Latah) Pummping (Pullman, Moscow, WSU, UI) What to Do? Use Less, But... 79, ,790 74, ,730 69, Date

27 Pumping (Millions of Gallons) What to Do? Reuse Some Total Pumping (MG) 300 For This Use Some of This Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

28 University of Idaho Monthly Water Use

29 What to Do? Find More Ground Water Surface Water

30 What to Do? Find More Ground Water

31 Average Stream Flow (cfs) Monthly Pumping (MG) What to Do? Find More Surface Water, But Need Water Got Water Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0

32 What to Do? Find More Surface Water, Store It Above Ground, But...

33 What to Do? Find More Surface Water, Store It Below Ground, But...

34 What to Do? Find More Surface Water, Treat It, But..

35 Model Studies WoW Systems Model Estimated Water Levels Year 2100

36 re hopefully

37 Summary - Lessons PBAC (hopefully re) learned

38 Summary - Lessons PBAC (hopefully re) learned

39 Summary - Lessons PBAC (hopefully re) learned

40 Thanks!

41 ?