Verde River Flow Restoration Initiative Arizona, Colorado River Basin J UNE 19 TH, 2014

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1 Verde River Flow Restoration Initiative Arizona, Colorado River Basin K IMBERLY SCHONEK J UNE 19 TH, 2014

2 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY C O L O R A D O R I V E R P R O G R A M The Nature Conservancy is the largest, most innovative science-driven multi-channel conservation organization in the world. This positions the Conservancy to have a meaningfully impact on the future of the Colorado River Basin. The Colorado Basin Program was developed in 2008 A river facing multiple threats and demands across state and national lines requires a bigpicture approach The needs of people can and must be met without sacrificing the health of the Colorado River system, upon which the region depends Fifteen phase one priority river reaches and sub-basins were selected as demonstrations and to focus on-the-ground projects Focus our efforts for the next three years on flow alteration, which we believe to be the most pervasive and harmful threat Partnerships are key to our long-term success /2

3 Colorado River Program A river facing multiple threats and demands across state and national lines requires a big-picture approach The needs of people can and must be met without sacrificing the health of the Colorado River system, upon which the region depends Fifteen phase one priority river reaches and sub-basins were selected as demonstrations and to focus on-the-ground projects Focus our efforts for the next three years on flow alteration, which we believe to be the most pervasive and harmful threat Partnerships are key to our long-term success /3

4 Verde River Watershed One of 26 of the state s 38 groundwater basins forecasted to have more demand than supply within 2 decades Surface flows are highly impacted by groundwater and surface water diversions Supplies surface water to one of the five largest metro areas in the country Drinking water supply for one of the fastest growing counties in rural Arizona 4

5 Verde River Walk-a-boat W H A T I F I W A S A F I S H. /5

6 Verde Valley Flows Prioritize & target reaches with a long range vision 30 cfs in Camp Verde, 20 cfs in Cottonwood Connect West Clear Creek Maintain flow at the gages /6

7 Irrigation Systems The lowest cost system is not the m ost efficient /7

8 Tools for Flow Restoration C O O P E R A T I V E S O L U T I O N S F O R C O M P L E X P R O B L E M S 1. Transaction based Full and partial season fallowing Diversion reduction agreements Sever and transfer of rights Leases/Short term transfers 2. Non-transaction based Water measurement Grants to support infrastructure /8

9 Diamond S Ditch Flow Restoration Project A P R O J E C T M A P B R I N G S M U L T I P L E P A R T I E S T O T H E S A M E P A G E Monitoring & Infrastructure Install measurement Install automation equipment Diversion Reduction Agreements 1 pilot agreement 3 agreement with progressively stricter targets Long lasting Changes Redesign diversion structure Incorporate community needs /9

10 Fallow Agreements M A K I N G D O W I T H T H E L A W S W E H A V E 1. Full season fallowing takes land out of production for full year 2. Summer fallowing Water in the river in summer when most needed Farmer still gets a crop Native grass cropping /10

11 On-Farm Efficiency R E D U C I N G W A T E R U S E A T T H E F A R M Infrastructure Drip irrigation Sprinklers Gated pipe Demand management Challenges Expensive New technology Advantages Match system to farm/farmer USDA-NRCS funding Long lasting impact /11

12 Valuing Water G E T T I N G T H E R I G H T W A T E R A T T H E R I G H T P R I C E Focus is on keeping the price as low as possible but enough money to get people interested Identify the infrastructure needed and tie it to the incentive payment Evaluate financial loss farmer will incur and add a little money to that. /12

13 Funding G O O D P R O J E C T S M A T C H E D T O T H E R I G H T F U N D E R /13

14 Successes A R E W E G E T T I N G T H E R E? Over the past four years: Improved flows in 20 miles of river Up to 10 cfs of restored flows Formed partnerships with 8 irrigation companies. Invested more than $175,000 in improvements to irrigation systems Developed a collaborative vision to keep us moving ahead /14

15 Success across the Basin P A R T O F S Y S T E M Delta Pulse Flow San Pedro Recharge Network Colorado Water Bank /System Conservation Program: Introducing Flexibility for Water Managers Photos by Pete McBride /15