Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

Executive Summary
cipitation. These valleys have relatively short growing seasons and long winters with significant
accumulations of snow. Hard frosts have been observed in every month of the year. Because of
these conditions typical crops consist of alfalfa, small grains (mainly barley with some oats), and
native hay and grass. In addition to these crops, the portion of the study area that is in the Teton
River sub-basin also produces a small amount of potatoes.
MUNICIPAL AND DOMESTIC WATER USE
The four municipalities and 46 other public water systems in the basin obtain their water supply
from ground water wells or springs. There are no entities in the basin that obtain water from surface
water sources. For the remaining population that obtains domestic water from other sources
such as individual wells, ground water is also used exclusively.
INDUSTRIAL WATER USE
The use of water for industrial purposes is very limited in the Snake/Salt River Basin. Typical
industries from other parts of Wyoming such as coal mines, trona mines, and natural gas and oil
wells are not found in the basin, and the communities in the basin are relatively small and do not
have large industrial facilities. The facilities that do exist are generally related to food processing
and production, with most of the use having its roots in the dairy industry. Water for industrial
use is mainly supplied through or in conjunction with municipal water systems.
RECREATIONAL WATER USE
Recreation is generally considered a non-consumptive use of water. There is a significant amount
of recreational activity within the
Snake/Salt River basin. People travel
from around the world in order to boat,
fish, ski, camp, and hike in this part of
Wyoming. Tourism has a major impact
on the economies of the communities in
the basin, with much of the tourism
being linked to Grand Teton and
Yellowstone National Parks. Many of
the draws of these parks are water related,
with the most notable water features
within the basin being Jackson Lake
and the Snake River. The Snake River
is also a major draw throughout the
Jackson Hole area as well as through
the Snake River Canyon toward Alpine,
sometimes referred to as the Grand
Snake/ Salt River Basin Plan
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