WATER RIGHTS AND ENDANGERED FISH

FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR FLOWS

UTAH DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS - 2009

MATT LINDON, PE ASSISTANT STATE ENGINEER

TECHNICAL SERVICES

Utah’s Apportionment (23%) 1,369,000 AF

Current Depletion 1,007,500 AF

Remaining Depletion 361,500 AF

Utah Colorado River Compact Entitlement &

Current Depletions

Estimated Depletion – 2009Estimated Depletion – 2009Units – 1000 Acre FeetUnits – 1000 Acre Feet

Source: Division of Water ResourcesSource: Division of Water Resources

Agriculture/stockAgriculture/stock 591.4591.4 Municipal/DomesticMunicipal/Domestic 25.3 25.3 Power/IndustrialPower/Industrial 44.6 44.6 Exports/ImportsExports/Imports 206.9206.9 Reservoir EvaporationReservoir Evaporation 19.3 19.3 Evaporation CRSP Res.Evaporation CRSP Res. 120.0120.0

TOTALTOTAL 1007.5 1007.5

Applicant Quantity (Ac Ft)San Juan County WCD 30,000Central Utah WCD 29,500Board of W R (et al) 158,000*Wayne County WCD 50,000*Kane County WCD 30,000Sanpete WCD 5,600Uintah County WCD 5,000Navajo Nation ? 80,000Ute Tribe ? 105,000  TOTAL 493,100493,100

Potential Additional DepletionApproved Applications (Undeveloped)

Forfeiture Changes - 2008Forfeiture Changes - 2008

The state engineer The state engineer maymay extend the time after 50 extend the time after 50 years for a public water supplier that shows the years for a public water supplier that shows the water is needed to meet the water is needed to meet the reasonable future reasonable future requirementsrequirements of the public. of the public.

The The reasonable future requirement of the public of the public is the amount of water needed in the next 40 yearsis the amount of water needed in the next 40 years

The state engineer The state engineer shallshall extend the time after 50 extend the time after 50 years if the applicant has constructed works to years if the applicant has constructed works to apply the water to beneficial use.apply the water to beneficial use.

Current Utah Green River PolicyCurrent Utah Green River Policy

Surface Water - Groundwater Appropriations Surface Water - Groundwater Appropriations – Limited to fixed time and Temporary appLimited to fixed time and Temporary app– Non Consumptive useNon Consumptive use– Small Domestic onlySmall Domestic only

1 family1 family 1 acre irrigation1 acre irrigation 10 livestock units10 livestock units

– Change ApplicationsChange Applications Colorado River Compact 1922 and 1948Colorado River Compact 1922 and 1948

– Upper Basin Flow Share - 1.369 M ac-ft/yearUpper Basin Flow Share - 1.369 M ac-ft/year– At least 7.5 M ac-ft/yr delivered to Lake PowellAt least 7.5 M ac-ft/yr delivered to Lake Powell

Initial Biological OpinionInitial Biological OpinionRecovery Action Plan (RAP)Recovery Action Plan (RAP)

US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, November 25 1992, BOR, CO and UTNovember 25 1992, BOR, CO and UT Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPA)Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPA)

– Refine Flaming Gorge operation for flows and tempsRefine Flaming Gorge operation for flows and temps– Legally protect fish flows from FG to Lake PowellLegally protect fish flows from FG to Lake Powell– Recommend Summer and Fall flowsRecommend Summer and Fall flows– 5 year study for Winter and Spring flows5 year study for Winter and Spring flows– Respect State law and policiesRespect State law and policies– Avoid ESA Section 7 Consultation and JeopardyAvoid ESA Section 7 Consultation and Jeopardy

Utah Policy Change – Nov 1994 Utah Policy Change – Nov 1994 Upper Green RiverUpper Green River

State Engineer Bob Morgan – ConsideredState Engineer Bob Morgan – Considered

– Existing Water Rights 429 cfs, 112,000 ac-ftExisting Water Rights 429 cfs, 112,000 ac-ft– Hydrology of River – FG, Yampa, tributariesHydrology of River – FG, Yampa, tributaries– Interstate Compacts (1.369 M ac-ft for Utah)Interstate Compacts (1.369 M ac-ft for Utah)– Summer and Fall Flows onlySummer and Fall Flows only– Existing Flow BO recommendations 1992Existing Flow BO recommendations 1992– Availability of Water 3.0 M ac-ft @JensenAvailability of Water 3.0 M ac-ft @Jensen

Vernal

Price

Green River

Moab

EscalanteMonticello

1.3

1.41.5

3.0

9.8

4.0

1.6

9.6

0.4

4.4

Upper Colorado

River Basin

Ave Annual FlowFlows = Million Ac-Ft/Year

1 Million Ac-Ft/Year = 1384 cfs

1 cfs/year = 723 ac-ft

Green = Intra State Flows

Red = Inter State Flows

Upper Green River Policy 1994Upper Green River Policy 1994

New WR ApprovalsNew WR Approvals– Subordinate to bypass of fish flowsSubordinate to bypass of fish flows– Summer and FallSummer and Fall– Flows protected from FG to the Duchesne – Reach 1Flows protected from FG to the Duchesne – Reach 1– 1100 – 1800 cfs – 2400 cfs in wet years1100 – 1800 cfs – 2400 cfs in wet years

20 cfs set aside for contingency future needs20 cfs set aside for contingency future needs Rights prior to Nov 1994 not SubordinateRights prior to Nov 1994 not Subordinate Review Release and RIPRAP for changesReview Release and RIPRAP for changes Measure all flows at Jensen UTMeasure all flows at Jensen UT Public meetings and comment periodPublic meetings and comment period Signed by Bob Morgan, State Engineer 1994Signed by Bob Morgan, State Engineer 1994

2000 Flow Recommendations2000 Flow Recommendations

Incorporated in Biological Opinion 2005Incorporated in Biological Opinion 2005 Results of study 1990-2004Results of study 1990-2004

– 3 sections of river to Lake Powell 3 sections of river to Lake Powell – 4 season flow recommendations4 season flow recommendations– 5 Hydrologic regimes and ranges flood – drought5 Hydrologic regimes and ranges flood – drought– Flows and temperatures from FGFlows and temperatures from FG

RIPRAP element for 2004 Action PlanRIPRAP element for 2004 Action Plan Continued research and calibrationContinued research and calibration Adaptive ManagementAdaptive Management

Reach 1

Reach 2

Reach 3

Condensed Table 5.5.—Flow and temperature recommendations by hydrologic condition for Reach 2 (Yampa River to White River) to benefit endangered fishes in the Green River downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam.a

Hydrologic Condition b

Wet (0 to 10%

Exceedance)

Moderately Wet (10 to 30% Exceedance

Average (30 to 70%

Exceedance)

Moderately Dry (70 to 90%

Exceedance)

Dry (90 to 100% Exceedance)

SPRING PEAK FLOW Magnitude ≥ 26,400 cfs ≥ 20,300 cfs ≥ 18,600 cfs

in 1 of 2 avr yrs; ≥ 8,300 cfs in other avr yrs

≥ 8,300 cfs

Duration >22,700 cfs 2 weeks +, and >18,600 cfs >4 weeks

>18,600 cfs for 2 weeks or more

>18,600 cfs at least 2 weeks in 1 of 4 avr yrs.

at least 1 week.

2 days or more except in dry years (≥ 98% exceedance)

Timing Peak flows should coincide with peak flows in the Yampa River Hydrologic Condition b

Wet (0 to 10%

Exceedance)

Moderately Wet (10 to 30% Exceedance

Average (30 to 70%

Exceedance)

Moderately Dry (70 to 90%

Exceedance)

Dry (90 to 100% Exceedance)

SUMMER THROUGH WINTER BASE FLOW Mean flow 2,800 - 3,000 cfs 2,400 - 2,800 cfs 1,500 - 2,400 cfs 1,100 - 1,500 cfs 900 - 1,100 cfs Approximate period

Aug 15 to Mar 1 Aug 15 to Mar 1 Aug 15 to Mar 1 Aug 15 to Mar 1 Aug 15 to Mar 1

MINIMUM FLOW RECURRENCE AT JENSEN PRE 1962

MEAN MONTH MIN ANN MIN

1.001 474.458 213.4 99.9

1.01 541.58 269.344 99

1.111 819.2 370.235 90

1.25 902.4 423.36 80

1.333 949.75 445.598 75

2 1217.5 547.199 50

5 1798.6 707.263 20

10 2188.2 808.748 10

25 3464.8 933.004 4

50 4354.24 1023.256 2

100 4657.22 1111.688 1

200 4773.61 1199.691 0.5

500 4843.444 1315.34 0.2

1000 4866.72 1403.122 0.1

GREEN RIVER AT JENSEN (PRE 1962) MINIMIMUM FLOW LOG PEARSON - 2009 - MCL

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

RETURN INTERVAL - YEARS

AN

NU

AL

MIN

IMU

M F

LO

W -

CF

S

MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM ANNUAL MINIMUM

simplified minimum flow requirements green river - flaming gorge to lake powell1994 State Engineer Policy2000 recommended flows2005 biological opinionmcl Aug-09

wet mod-wet average mod-dry dry SE Policy 19940-10% 10-30% 30-70% 70-90% 90-100% average wet

reach 1 all flow = cfs

spring peak 8,600 4,600 4,600 4,600 4,600 na na

sum-winter 1,800 1,500 800 800 800 1100-1800 1100-1800 summer

log Pearson summary

mean month low 2,188 1,798 1,217 902 819 1100-1800 1100-2400 autumann daily low 809 707 547 423 370ann daily peak 27,052 22,639 16,106 12,222 9,596

reach 2spring peak 26,400 20,300 18,600 8,300 8,300 na na

sum-winter 2,800 2,400 1,500 1,100 900 1100-1800 1100-1800 summer

1100-1800 1100-2400 autumreach 3

spring peak 39,000 24,000 22,000 8,300 8,300 na na

sum-winter 3,200 2,700 1,800 1,500 1,300 na na

Proposed Flow Protection 2009Proposed Flow Protection 2009 Protect Minimum flows for 4 seasons -VernalProtect Minimum flows for 4 seasons -Vernal

– 800 (900) cfs Reach 1 and 2 – FG to the White800 (900) cfs Reach 1 and 2 – FG to the White– 1300 cfs Reach 3 – Duchesne to Lake Powell1300 cfs Reach 3 – Duchesne to Lake Powell– Currently meeting these goals w/ existing op.Currently meeting these goals w/ existing op.

New Applications subject to minimum flowNew Applications subject to minimum flow– BO minimum flow ranges and regimes ??BO minimum flow ranges and regimes ??– BO spring peak flows ??BO spring peak flows ??– Flows set aside for contingency future needs??Flows set aside for contingency future needs??– Limit Storage to allow for natural spring flows??Limit Storage to allow for natural spring flows??– Limit movement of Water Rights Upstream??Limit movement of Water Rights Upstream??

Instream fish flow Water Rights Law limited toInstream fish flow Water Rights Law limited to– Changes of Perfected Water RightChanges of Perfected Water Right– Div of Wildlife, Parks and Fish Conservation Org.Div of Wildlife, Parks and Fish Conservation Org.

ISSUES TO ADDRESS 2010ISSUES TO ADDRESS 2010 Cooperation with RAP PartnershipCooperation with RAP Partnership

– Extend Fish Flow protection to Lake PowellExtend Fish Flow protection to Lake Powell– 2 policy changes Upper and Lower river 2 policy changes Upper and Lower river

Agreement with the Biological Opinion -RPAAgreement with the Biological Opinion -RPA– 3 river reaches3 river reaches– 4 seasons4 seasons– 5 hydrological regimes and ranges5 hydrological regimes and ranges

Coordination with the RIPCoordination with the RIP Compliance with the ESACompliance with the ESA Respect State Water Law and EntitlementsRespect State Water Law and Entitlements Avoid Jeopardy and Section 7 consultationAvoid Jeopardy and Section 7 consultation Allow for fish flows and water developmentAllow for fish flows and water development

PEAK FLOW RECURRENCE PEAK FLOW RECURRENCE AT JENSEN 55 YEARSAT JENSEN 55 YEARS

RETURN INTERVAL

1.001 4629 99.9

1.01 6298.021 99

1.111 9596.438 90

1.25 11461.91 80

1.333 12222.09 75

2 16106.16 50

5 22639.63 20

10 27052.38 10

25 32709.95 4

50 36981.42 2

100 41291.17 1

200 45694.38 0.5

500 51646.9 0.2

1000 56283.99 0.1

10000 72650.27 0.01

GREEN RIVER PEAK FLOW LOG PEARSON - 2009 - MCL

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

100000

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

return interval - years

flo

w -

cfs

@ jensen @ green river

STRATAGEY 2009-2011STRATAGEY 2009-2011 Public meetings – Vernal, Price, GR, MoabPublic meetings – Vernal, Price, GR, Moab Minimum Flows, limit storage and US movesMinimum Flows, limit storage and US moves Present Policy – adopt for 3 stretchesPresent Policy – adopt for 3 stretches Develop model with BoR for Spring FlowsDevelop model with BoR for Spring Flows Develop partnerships and CoordinationDevelop partnerships and Coordination

– OPW – Other Peoples WaterOPW – Other Peoples Water– Storage – Delivery – Water Banking - FundingStorage – Delivery – Water Banking - Funding– Water Rights ownership – expand limitsWater Rights ownership – expand limits– Water Service Contracts – DWRe, U and D Co.Water Service Contracts – DWRe, U and D Co.– Automation of Monitoring and Distribution RegulationAutomation of Monitoring and Distribution Regulation

Water Acquisition TeamWater Acquisition Team– Future Development of Unperfected and UndevelopedFuture Development of Unperfected and Undeveloped– Upstream Development – Million, Climate ChangeUpstream Development – Million, Climate Change– Colorado Compact, State Laws, Politics and PublicColorado Compact, State Laws, Politics and Public– Work within Water Right Laws and State EntitlementsWork within Water Right Laws and State Entitlements

THE END – THANK YOU !

DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS801-538-7481

PO BOX 146300, SLC UT 84114mattlindon@utah.gov

www.waterrights.utah.gov