Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

4.0 AGENCY PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS
Wind/Bighorn River Basin
! Projections of future agricultural and municipal water system needs should be made and
compared to current and future water availability.
! Groundwater resources of the basin should be described and evaluated.
! Current groundwater supplies should be studied to determine safe yield and to prevent
groundwater mining.
! Existing agricultural and municipal water supply infrastructure should be maintained.
! Potential for water conservation in agricultural and municipal water uses should be evaluated.
Statewide Recommendations Developed through the Planning Process
! Municipal and agricultural water infrastructure deferred maintenance needs should be
quantified.
! Long-term climate variability should be considered in river basin planning.
! Watershed planning should be used as a tool in water resource planning and project
development.
! Rehabilitation and improvement of municipal and agricultural water supply infrastructure
should be a priority for assistance.
! Regionalization of municipal and domestic water supplies should be supported to best
manage water resources and protect water supplies.
! The river basin planning process should be continued to assist in development, protection,
and conservation of Wyoming’s water resources.
! The process of describing and evaluating the groundwater resources of the state should be
initiated.
! Collection of surface water data regarding flows and uses should be encouraged to allow
accurate modeling of the river basins.
! Potential new stream gage locations should be identified though the state water planning
process.
! Interconnection between surface water and groundwater should be better defined in the
various river basins.
! Areas where conservation would help Wyoming make more effective use of its water should
be identified.
! Irrigation districts and municipalities should be encouraged to inventory and improve their
infrastructure and to conduct master planning.
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