SLIDES: Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA): Third Intake into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project

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1 University of Colorado Law School Colorado Law Scholarly Commons Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5) Getches-Wilkinson Center Conferences, Workshops, and Hot Topics SLIDES: Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA): Third Intake into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project Kay Brothers Follow this and additional works at: Part of the Administrative Law Commons, Agriculture Law Commons, Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Climate Commons, Energy and Utilities Law Commons, Energy Policy Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Forest Management Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons, Hydrology Commons, Jurisdiction Commons, Land Use Law Commons, Litigation Commons, Natural Resource Economics Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Law Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, President/Executive Department Commons, Property Law and Real Estate Commons, Public Policy Commons, Risk Analysis Commons, Science and Technology Law Commons, State and Local Government Law Commons, Water Law Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Citation Information Brothers, Kay, "SLIDES: Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA): Third Intake into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project" (2009). Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5). Reproduced with permission of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment (formerly the Natural Resources Law Center) at the University of Colorado Law School.

2 Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) Third Intake Into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project Kay Brothers, Deputy General Manager Southern Nevada Water Authority

3 Colorado River Overview Colorado River Basin ~15 mafy average runoff 60 maf of storage The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation serves as water master

4 Colorado River Overview The Colorado River was allocated in ,000,000 Population Comparison, 1922 The Upper and Lower basins were each allocated 7.5 mafy. 3,000,000 2,000,000 At that time, uses were relatively comparable. 1,000,000 0 Upper Basin Lower Basin

5 Colorado River Overview Population Comparison, 1922 The Lower Basin allocated its Colorado River water to the states based on population and agricultural potential. 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 California ~3.4 million 0 Nevada ~77,000 Arizona ~334,000 Lower Basin States

6 Colorado River Overview Nevada receives 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually; resources are diverted through facilities at Lake Mead. Nevada: 300,000 Colorado: 3.9 million Wyoming: 1 million Arizona: 2.85 million New Mexico: 850,000 California: 4.4 million Utah: 1.7 million

7 Colorado River Overview Population in the Lower Basin has grown substantially since the 1920s. Significant growth occurred in Southern Nevada. 50,000,000 40,000,000 30,000,000 20,000,000 10,000, Population Current Population 0 Upper Basin Lower Basin

8 2,000,000 Changes in Southern Nevada Southern Nevada has reached a population over 2,000,000. 1,000,

9 Changes in Southern Nevada Water demands shifted from no projected use of Colorado River to heavily reliance. 600, ,000 Acre-feet per year 400, , ,000 Colorado River 100,000 0 Spring Flow Groundwater

10 Changes in Southern Nevada In the 1990 s Southern Nevada hit a crisis point: additional water was needed to meet growing demands. Population , , , , ,000

11 Changes in Southern Nevada Competition for Colorado River water Water agencies were operating independently no coordination of resources, demands, etc. Each agency was negotiating its own best deal for future supplies with the Colorado River Commission every-man-for-himself. No coordinated conservation plan There was no incentive to save water - agencies were allocated water based on the prior year s use the more they used, the more they got. If an agency used less than its allocated amount, its water share was reduced accordingly.

12 Changes in Southern Nevada The Southern Nevada Water Authority was formed in 1991 to address Southern Nevada s unique water needs on a regional basis City of Henderson (1) City of North Las Vegas (1) City of Las Vegas (1) City of Boulder City (1) Big Bend Water District (1) Clark County Water Rec. District (1) Las Vegas Valley Water District (1) Southern Nevada Water Authority Board of Directors (seven members, one from each agency) Each agency, regardless of size, has an equal voice and tackled issues collaboratively for the benefit of the whole.

13 Changes in Southern Nevada The SNWA provides regional coordination of water resources Secure new water resources Maximize existing water resources Build and operate regional water facilities Promote conservation

14 Changes in Southern Nevada Paradigm Shift / mid 1990s Changed from a water accounting process to a water management process Utilize temporary and permanent supplies Create a portfolio of resource options to meet future needs Manage water supplies through a water resource plan that is reviewed annually and amended as necessary

15 Changes in Southern Nevada In the meantime, the region continued to expand , ,300,000 and drought struck the Colorado River with force.

16 Colorado River Drought The recent 9-year historical average inflow to the Colorado River system was 66% of normal. 120% 100% Normal 105% 102% 80% 60% 62% 59% 53% 51% 73% 68% 40% 20% 0% 25% % of normal

17 Colorado River Drought Lake Mead storage has been reduced by half. 30,000 Lake Powell Storage 30,000 Lake Mead Storage 1,000 s of acre-feet 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 88% 55% 1,000 s of acre-feet Capacity 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 96% 49% Jan Jan Storage 0 Jan Jan. 2009

18 Colorado River Drought Other Water Resources, 10% Southern Nevada depends on the Colorado River to meet 90% of its water resource needs. Colorado River, 90% Image: Fishing Dock at Lake Mead, mid-2000s

19 Colorado River Drought Hoover Dam, Lake Mead 1983 Hoover Dam, Lake Mead 2009

20 Colorado River Drought Lake Mead water levels have dropped to record lows. These conditions have and will continue to drive a number of water management decisions. 5

21 Drought Impacts The SNWA could lose facility and supply access if drought conditions continue. Lake Mead Elevation, in feet above MSL 1,200 1,150 1,100 1,050 1,000 Shortage SNWA Intake No. 1 SNWA Intake No. 2 and 3 69% of Average Runoff Current Elevation: 1,112 ft.

22 Inner Las Vegas Bay 1212 Lake elevation 1145 Lake elevation LM 4 LM 5 Las Vegas Bay Boulder Basin Elevation 1212 Elevation 1145 Percent change Saddle Island Modeled Lake Diffusion Area Monitoring Station Boulder Basin % Las Vegas Bay % Inner Las Vegas Bay % TOTALS % * Units are millions Acre Feet Hoover Dam

23 1200 Feet Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay Las Vegas Bay Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes) Boulder Islands Promontory Point Hoover Dam 1200 ft.

24 1100 Feet Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay Las Vegas Bay Volumes in acre/feet Boulder Basin 4,546,728 Las Vegas Bay 346,747 Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes) Boulder Islands Promontory Point Hoover Dam 1100 ft.

25 1060 Feet Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay Las Vegas Bay Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes) Boulder Islands Promontory Point Hoover Dam 1060 ft.

26 1000 Feet Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay Las Vegas Bay Volumes in acre/feet Boulder Basin 2,670,555 Las Vegas Bay 100,554 Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes) Boulder Islands Promontory Point Hoover Dam 1000 ft.

27 SNWA Response Conservation was Southern Nevada s first response to drought. 2003: Implemented drought plan 2004: Realized goal of 25% conservation 2005: Adopted a new conservation goal 2008: Realized conservation goal of 250 GPCD 2009: Adopted a new conservation goal (199 GPCD by 2035) Southern Nevada's annual water consumption decreased by nearly 21 billion gallons between 2002 and 2008, despite a population increase of 400,000 during that span. 6

28 SNWA Response Southern Nevada has one of the most aggressive conservation programs in the Nation. Time of day and day of week watering restrictions Landscape development codes Golf course water budgets Water waste restrictions & penalties Water Smart Landscapes Program Water Efficient Technologies Program Pool Cover Rebate program Water Smart Home Program Irrigation Clock Rebate program Water Smart Car Wash Program Water Smart Contractor Program H20 University Demonstration Gardens But, Conservation alone will not protect Southern Nevada from drought.

29 SNWA Response Lake Mead could decline below SNWA s upper intake by as early as 2013 if drought conditions persist (69% runoff). Further lake level declines could impact our ability to access Colorado River resources altogether. 1,050 INTAKE NO. 1 1,000 INTAKE NO. 2 INTAKE NO. 3 (2013) Intake operating depth illustrated modifications not shown.

30 SNWA Response Intake Tunnel Intake Shaft Water Treatment Facility Pumping Station Discharge Pipeline Access Shaft Saddle Island Intake No. 2 Connection

31 Existing Intake Features Proposed Intake No. 3 Features Elev. 860 March 2009 Concept North Elev (1,000) SNWA Response Lake Mead Elev IPS-2 Riser Plug ~ 3 miles IPS-2 Isolation Gate Interconnection Saddle Island IPS-2 Connection and Modifications IPS-3 IPS-1 IPS-2 Forebay Forebay Forebay Saddle Island To RMWTF To AMSWTF To AMSWTF Boulder Harbor

32 SNWA Response Project Timeline Current Projects (advertised or awarded costs) Project Intake No. 3 Shafts and Tunnel Intake No. 2 Connection/Modifications Intake No. 3 Connector Tunnel Cost $447 mil $30 mil $50 mil (est) Completion Date Future Projects (scope, cost and schedule to be evaluated) Project Intake No. 3 Pumping Station Quagga Control System Cost $160 mil (est) $25 mil (est) Completion Date TBD TBD Substation and Permanent Power Supply $8 mil (est) TBD Discharge Pipeline $25 mil (est) TBD

33 SNWA Response To ensure a reliable water supply, the SNWA is pursuing development of additional non-colorado River water resources. These resources are in the form of unused groundwater supplies in eastern Nevada.

34 SNWA Response Clark, Lincoln & White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project Proposed Facilities Groundwater wells Pipelines Pumping stations Regulating tanks Water treatment facilities Power lines/facilities Support facilities

35 SNWA Response Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project Preliminary Schedule current Research & studies Environmental process Geotechnical survey & design Groundwater monitoring testing & exploratory wells Groundwater production wells Pipeline & facility construction The SNWA will have 20 years of study and monitoring before any water comes to Southern Nevada

36 SNWA Response Development of these in-state resources will: Diversify available water resources to meet near and long-term demands (reduce dependence on Colorado River from 90% today). Ensure resources are available if Colorado River shortages are instituted or resources become inaccessible due to low lake levels. Amount Permitted Spring Valley Delamar, Dry Lake & Cave Valleys Snake Valley 60,000 AFY permitted, subject to staged pumping restrictions. 18,755 AFY permitted. Applications pending. 12

37 Colorado River Basin Response The Seven Basin states have worked over the last decade to implement innovative water solutions for the Colorado River. Rules for Surplus Banking arrangements Shortage sharing Shared facilities Coordinated management Augmentation

38 Colorado River Basin Response The States continue to study options for augmenting Colorado River supplies. Augmentation Study Options: Brackish and Ocean Water Desalination Coalbed Methane Produced Water Conjunctive Use Power Plants Reduce Consumptive Use Reservoir Evaporation Control Stormwater Storage Vegetation Management Water Imports Using Ocean Routes Water Reuse Weather Modification River Basin Imports Colorado River at Lake Mead