Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

7.0 AVAILABILITY
limestone” group has potential for development of high-yield, perhaps flowing, wells adjacent to most
Wyoming mountain ranges, but these aquifers are highly dependent upon local geologic conditions to
produce favorable conditions.
Table 7-5 shows SEO groundwater permits by type of use by river basin for the state. In addition,
the table shows the 10-year growth rates of permit applications.
Table 7-5 Groundwater Permits Summary
Irrigation
Rural Drinking
Water Municipal Industrial CBM
River Basin
Total
Permits
10-Yr
Growth
Total
Permits
10-Yr
Growth
Total
Permits
10-Yr
Growth
Total
Permits
10-Yr
Growth
Total
Permits
10-Yr
Growth
Bear 59 4.0% 1,037 2.6% 8 4.8% 18 0.0% 0 0.0%
Green 90 2.3% 7,193 3.9% 34 1.6% 262 1.9% 798 53.5%
Northeast 289 0.9% 9,779 2.4% 109 2.9% 558 2.6% 9,446 45.3%
Platte 2,022 1.1% 29,320 2.8% 278 0.9% 362 1.8% 81
Powder/Tongue 177 2.5% 9,829 3.6% 15 1.4% 282 1.4% 22,490 81.8%
Snake/Salt 86 2.7% 4,919 4.5% 23 2.5% 10 1.1% 0 0.0%
Wind/Bighorn 238 4.3% 16,132 2.5% 98 1.3% 314 0.4% 16
Total 2,961 1.5% 78,209 3.0% 565 1.5% 1,806 1.7% 32,831 60.3%
Note: All wells with zero yields excluded; wells with "unknown" yields or no yield data included.
A more detailed discussion of the groundwater situation in the individual river basin planning
areas is contained in the individual river basin plans and associated technical memoranda.
7.3 WATER CONSERVATION
7.3.1 Introduction
In general, the state has adequate water to serve the needs of its river basin residents. For the
most part, water shortages are seasonal, and their effects can be magnified by drought conditions. Water
conservation is any beneficial reduction in water losses, waste, or use.
Agricultural water consumption is the major water use sector in Wyoming. The Irrigation
Association, an international organization that was started in 1949 and states that it is dedicated to
“promoting water and soil conservation through proper water management,” takes the following positions
regarding long-range water conservation planning:
! Measure all water use.
! Price water so as to recognize its finite nature, provide financial incentives to users who
conserve water, and provide financial penalties to users who waste water.
! Hold all water users responsible for protecting the quality of the water that they use.
! Create financial systems to reward users of efficient irrigation systems.
! Create national education programs regarding the “absolute necessity of supporting
regulatory policies which reward conservation and efficient water use”.
! Support water reclamation and reuse initiatives, particularly for irrigation, but also for
municipal, industrial, and other water uses sectors.
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