Water Measurement District for Ground Water Rights in the Upper Big Wood River Basin

1. Water Measurement Districtfor Ground Water Rights in the Upper Big Wood River Basin IDWR PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING MARCH 14, 2011 HAILEY, ID

2. Area of NoticeUpper Big Wood River • Over 500 Notices Sent (GW Right Holders Only) • Excluding domestic and stock ground water rights, and other non-irrigation rights <= 0.24 cfs diversion rate

3. Number of Ground Water Rights & Wells in Area • About 800 ground water rights total • About 740 unique well locations total (per water rights) • 537 ground water rights & over 500 wells with irrigation use > 5 acres and/or diversion rate > 0.24 cfs • 258 ground water rights & over 230 wells with irrigation use < 5 acres • Total water rights cfs (gross) ≈ 890 cfs1 • 1 Not including irrigation rights < 5 acres which adds only 24 cfs gross

5. Water Districts Chapter 6, Title 42, Idaho Code Created by order of Director of IDWR for purposes of water right administration, specifically, distribution of water from public or natural water sources in accordance with water right priority dates.

6. Water Districts • Creation of Water Districts • “The director shall divide the state into water districts … such that each public stream and tributaries, or independent source of water supply, shall constitute a water district.” • “The director may create a water district by entry of an order … in order to properly administer uses of the water resource.” Idaho Code § 42-604

7. Idaho Water Districts

8. Water Districts Features • Watermasters elected annually to provide water distribution services - elected by users, appointed by IDWR Director - compensated by users via assessments - receive guidance/direction from Director • Advisory Committee elected annually - comprised of water users in district - serve in advisory capacity to watermaster and director, draft and implement resolutions, may mediate problems within district

9. Water Districts • General Duties of Watermaster: 1) deliver water in accordance with water right priority dates - authority to control/regulate diversion works 2) measure and report diversions under water rights 3) provide annual reports of expenses & water delivered (watermaster report, daily log books or distribution report, proposed budget) 4) report and control unauthorized diversions

10. Water DistrictsMeetings, Elections, Budgets • Annual meeting held to elect watermaster, adopt a budget and resolutions, and select an advisory committee. • Voting is by majority vote of users present, or if requested, by alternative method that involves votes equal to dollar amount assessed. Idaho Code § 42-605

11. Water DistrictsMeetings, Elections, Budgets • Amount of water use is basis for assessments. (IC § 42-612) • Alternative methods and flexibility provided for voting and assessment of non-consumptive uses. (IC § 42-605A) • Budget collected either by county or by district. (IC § 42-612 and 42-618) • Participation is mandatory

12. Water Measurement Districts Chapter 7, Title 42, Idaho Code Created by order of Director of IDWR for purposes of measurement and reporting water use only. (Legislation effective 1995, 3 districts created in the ESPA in 1996 which have since transitioned to water districts)

13. Water Measurement Districts Features • Created in areas where measurement is required by Director but where water rights are not yet adjudicated. Eventually replaced by water districts. • Similar to Water Districts in method of creation and organization • Certain uses/entities may be excluded from districts but obligated to measure and report to IDWR including: - hydropower, aquaculture, instream uses - water districts, ground water districts and irrigation districts

14. Water Measurement Districts Features • Hydrographers elected annually to provide measurement and reporting services - compensated by users via assessments - receive guidance/direction from Director - have no regulatory authority - report illegal diversions, excessive uses

15. Water Measurement Districts Features • Annual meetings to elect hydrographer and advisory committee, adopt budget and resolutions - committee comprised of water users in district - serve in advisory capacity to hydrographer and director, draft and implement resolutions etc • Annual measurement & budget reports required • Assessments - up to $50/diversion and pro-rata charge against water right diversion rate

16. Creation Timeline(Measurement District or Water District) • Mail individual notice • Publish notice in local papers (two weeks) • Hold hearing at least ten days after notice • Ten day comment period • Issue order • Form Steering Committee for annual meeting • Issue notice of annual meeting and conduct meeting to elect hydrographer and adopt budget

17. District Creation • Measurement District meeting is fist Monday of November, by law, or • Between first Monday of November & fourth Monday of February, by district resolution • Director can schedule special meeting or first meeting at any time

18. District CreationWho’s usually included: • For measurement & reporting purposes: typically include all wells/rights except: - domestic/stock water - small irrigation (<= 5 acres) - other small rights/uses (<= 0.24 cfs) • Domestic/stock rights/diversions excluded from water districts (other WMD exclusions may not apply)

19. District Creation & Measurement RequirementsLikely Scenario: • Order to require installation of flow meters • Phase-in over one to two years • Submittal of measurement plans in first year • Electro-magnetic flow meter is standard • Variance may be provided upon submittal of plan • Other meters • Power consumption method • Time clocks

21. What is a Mag Meter? • Technology around for 50 years • Originally “reserved” for liquid flow measurement in the industrial and wastewater markets • Over last 15 years - prices changed to allow more widespread use

22. How Does a Mag Meter Work? In Plain English . . . • As a conductive liquid passes through a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the direction of flow - the liquid induces a voltage proportional to the average flow velocity. • Since the inside diameter of the meter is known, volumetric flow rate can be calculated.

23. Typical Magnetic flowmeter Sensor configuration

24. Typical mag set up

25. Why Does It Work So Well ? Mag Meter has no moving parts and averages the sum of the voltage of all particles. The result: a Mag Meter is less affected by pipe turbulences than other meter technologies

26. Mag Meter Costs?Approximate • For 10 inch diameter: • $ 2,000 – 3,400 • Plus installation cost