Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

8.0 OPPORTUNITIES
Water Diversions from Wyoming’s Green River Basin (WWDC)
The WWDC staff performed a feasibility study of a transbasin diversion from the Green River
Basin to the North Platte River Basin. The yield of the project was to be 50,000 acre-feet per year.
Alternative diversion locations and routes from the Upper, Middle, and Lower Green River Basin were
analyzed. The alternatives that were determined to be the most promising were:
! Middle Basin
o Fontenelle to Sweetwater
o Fontenelle to Seminoe
! Lower Basin
o Green River to Seminoe
o Green River to Platte River
o Flaming Gorge to Seminoe
o Flaming Gorge to Platte River
Project costs and costs of delivered water have not been completed. However, the total project
costs will likely approach one billion dollars.
Wind River Export Study – Level I (ECI, 2002)
The purpose of the study was to assess the potential of exporting water from the Wind River Basin
into adjacent basins to benefit the Wind River Indian Tribes. The tribal water rights have been estimated
to yield approximately 36,000 acre-feet in dry years. The study investigated delivery of water to the
North Platte River via the Sweetwater River.
Several issues need to be recognized. The conveyance of the water to potential users could involve
substantial conveyance losses. Another aspect to consider is that the imported water could be used to
extinction which could increase the effective yield of the system. Another consideration is that the Wind
River Basin has substantial shortages and additional storage for the basin is being studied.
Upper Laramie River Reregulation Opportunities
The Laramie River is currently fully appropriated. Studies have identified storage sites within the
Upper Laramie Basin. However, the primary value of the sites would be to reduce evaporation in existing
reservoirs and help manage existing water more effectively. The reservoir alternatives have been found to
be of marginal economic benefit because of high costs.
8.6.7 Nonstructural Future Water Use Opportunities
Drought Response Planning
The current Wyoming Drought Plan (revised January, 2003), contains a response plan. This plan
was developed on the basis of information and similar plans from other states and agencies. The role of
drought assessment and response as defined in the Wyoming Drought Plan is “to be proactive and to
assist existing state, federal and local agencies to carry out their designated missions for assisting drought
affected customer groups.” (Micheli and Ostermann, 2003)
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