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Water-level monitoring and a groundwater model in the Big Wood River Valley Presented by Mike McVay November 5, 2012. IDWR Data Logger Network. 13 wells have been instrumented; 5 candidates for future deployment. Data loggers are collecting water level readings two times per day.
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Water-level monitoring and a groundwater model in the Big Wood River Valley Presented by Mike McVay November 5, 2012
IDWR Data Logger Network • 13 wells have been instrumented; 5 candidates for future deployment. • Data loggers are collecting water level readings two times per day. • Downloaded every six months.
Upper Wood River WMD Well Network • 36 wells have been identified as monitoring locations. • Semi-annual measurements are proposed for the monitoring frequency.
USGS Synoptic Network Over 90 wells were measured in 2006 and re-measured in October 2012.
Ground Water Model of the Big Wood Valley • Collaboration with the USGS. • 2006 synoptic water levels show ground water flow is from north to south.
Why a Model of the Big Wood? • Fully allocated resource • Designated GWMA in 1991 • Water rights distribution problem • Most proposed transfers involve up-basin movement of PODs • Conjunctive administration/management on its way • Delivery calls imminent (Big Wood Canal Company) • 2009 petition for CGWA • Measurement district created in 2011
Why a Model of the Big Wood (cont’d) • IDWR needs unbiased, public domain groundwater flow model to evaluate transfers and mitigation requirements • Timing good because USGS study nearing completion • Synoptic water level measurement and trend analysis in 2006 • Water Budget report in 2009 • Hydrogeologic Framework report in 2012
The Model • A three-year timeframe • IDWR collaborating with USGS to develop groundwater flow model with oversight from Technical Advisory Committee • Water Board financing with USGS match • Used for administration of water • Evaluation of Transfers • Determine Curtailment • Evaluate Mitigation • Won’t be used to determine injury
Technical Advisory Committee • Provides transparency and is a vehicle for stakeholder input • Likely participants: • Previous USGS Cooperators • Cities of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley • Nature Conservancy • Blaine Soil Conservation District • Citizens for Smart Growth • Sun Valley Water and Sewer • Big Wood Canal Company • Water District 37? • Technical representatives for others
Summary of Work Plan • Additional data collection • Water level synoptic in October 2012 • Streamflow gain/loss surveys in August and October 2012 and March 2013 • Additional wells • Form Technical Advisory Committee • Construct and calibrate groundwater flow model • Update water budget • Model discretization • Initial parameterization • Calibration • Convert Steady State model to transient model
Activities to Date • Sponsored 4 new USGS gages in 2010 (North Fork, East Fork, Trail Creek, Warm Springs) • Expanded monitoring well network from 6 wells to 18 • USGS seepage analysis to quantify reach gains/losses • Synoptic water level measurement in 2012 • Developed modeling work plan w/ budget and schedule
Products • Numerical groundwater flow model • Final Report describing model and development • Reports describing results of scenarios • Drought • Change in land use • Climate change • USGS Fact Sheet • Response function maps