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Morgan Valley Water Right Issues

This presentation discusses the water right issues in Morgan Valley, Utah, including the findings from the UGS study and the proposed policy for water right administration. Topics covered include water budget, methods of obtaining water rights, exchange applications, and the evaluation of groundwater.

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Morgan Valley Water Right Issues

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  1. Morgan Valley Water Right Issues S. Ross Hansen P.E., L.S. Region Engineer 7/20/2011 Public Meeting Surveying principles

  2. Introduction • Why the presentation? • 2007-2008 Rapid population growth caused concern about Morgan’s water resources • May 2008 public meeting to “kickoff” study • March 2011 UGS released Study • Today - Effects of Study on water right administration Surveying principles

  3. Used from UGS study, Hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Ut. Pg 7 Surveying principles

  4. Overview • Discuss Division of Water Rights pertinent findings in the UGS report • Water budget • Methods of obtaining right to use water in Morgan Valley • Fundamentals of Exchange Applications • State Engineer proposed policy for Morgan Valley Surveying principles

  5. Vocabulary • Acre-foot - An acre of land 1’ deep water • CFS - Cubic Feet per Second • G.W. – Groundwater • POD – Point of Diversion • S.E. – State Engineer • State Engineer’s Office a.k.a. Division of Water Rights • UGS - Utah Geologic Survey • WBWCD - Weber Basin Water Conservancy District Surveying principles

  6. UGS - Water Right Pertinent • Surface water inflow = 225k acre-feet • Surface water outflow = 342k acre-feet • River gains 117k acre-feet (342k - 225k) • In valley precipitation >> valley depletion (ET and M&I) • Valley fill aquifer • Up to 600’ deep, recoverable volume= 170k acre-feet • Good quality and good transmissivity. • Bedrock aquifer • Fractured/highly variable water yield Surveying principles

  7. State Engineer G.W. Evaluation • River accretion = (outflow - inflow) • Using data from 2005 • Eliminating precipitation and runoff events an average accretion to river can be found. • Average daily accretion  183 acre-feet per day Surveying principles

  8. State Engineer G.W. Evaluation Valley fill aquifer is full Recharge from precipitation, valley margin infiltration. Aquifer recoverable volume = 170k acre-feet Seepage to the River  59k acre-feet annually Total approved and/or perfected G.W. applications = +/- 4.4k acre-feet Surveying principles

  9. Obtain Right to Use Water • Morgan Valley is part of the Weber River Drainage Basin • Closed to new appropriations of groundwater in mid 1960s • To use water in Morgan Valley: • Acquire existing water rights • File a change application - relinquish historic use and begin new use. • Exchange Applications Surveying principles

  10. Exchange Application Basics • WBWCD project water is collected and stored during winter months • Person can begin a new use of water in the Weber River Drainage Basin and divert water from new POD. • WBWCD releases an equivalent amount from upstream storage to compensate down stream rights. Surveying principles

  11. Perfecting an Exchange Application • Enter into contract with WBWCD • Pay for contract. • File Exchange application with S.E. • Construct new works. • File Proof of Beneficial Use. • Receive certificate from S.E. • Continue to pay annual contract. Surveying principles

  12. Proposed Policy for Morgan Valley • No change – clarification only • No new appropriations • Continue to allow Exchange applications for: • Wells in the valley fill aquifer. • Direct diversion from River • Exchanges proposing wells in the bedrock aquifers along or above valley margins: • No guarantee that water yielding fracture can be located. • Will need to demonstrate to the S.E. that G.W. is not contributing to the flows of a surface source which does not receive a full year supply. (i.e. Study) Surveying principles

  13. Used from UGS study, Hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Ut. Pg 46 Surveying principles

  14. Where to Get More Info. • UGS Study: Hydrogeology of Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Utah • Water Rights web site • http://waterrights.utah.gov/ Surveying principles

  15. Written Comment/Concerns • Please submit any written comments or questions by mailing them to: • Utah Division of Water RightsPO Box 146300Salt Lake City UT 84114-6300 • Fax: 801-538-7467 • Email: rosshansen@utah.gov Please identify subject as: “Comments on Morgan Valley Policy” Surveying principles

  16. QUESTIONS?? Thank you Surveying principles

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