District Water Management and Conservation Plan Workshop Presented By Terry Buchholz October 19, 2007

Agenda Overview – Debbie Colbert (WRD) & Anita Winkler (OWRC) Logistics/Introductions Overview of Plan Requirements Initiating the Plan Process Guidance for Preparation of the Plan –Water Supplier Description –Water Conservation –Water Curtailment –Water Supply Additional Requirements OWRD Review Process Wrap-up

Introduction What is a WMCP plan for? –Long-term water management and conservation tool Who needs to complete one? –Districts which need to transfer water rights –Districts which contract for water from federal water projects Why? –A powerful planning tool –Numerous benefits to districts

Benefits of Preparing a WMCP? Increases flexibility Prepares district to meet future challenges Provides a basis for capital improvement projects and grant applications Establishes a concise set of information for future managers

Overview of the Plan Requirements Water Supplier Description Water Conservation Element Water Curtailment Plan Water Supply Element

Overview of the Plan Requirements This water budget, along with projected future demands on the system, helps to clarify how much water is required to meet current and future needs. Conservation Tools Water Budget Future Needs Demand Supply +

Initiating the Plan Process Establish Objectives Early Discussion with OWRD Staff Establish a Planning Team Assemble Information Get Public or Other Agencies Involved Find Funding Clearly, they didn’t follow these easy steps….

Plan Objective Examples Conserve water through improving management of one or more of the supplier’s water sources Control costs of operations, maintenance and capital investments, while meeting desired levels of service Maintain reliability of water supply at some pre- determined level defined by the supplier Increase long-term water supply security and flexibility

Plan Objective Examples Continue to work in support of fisheries and other natural resources Maintain customer satisfaction Meet State requirements for the WMCP Meet Federal requirements for the WMCP

Early Discussion with WRD Staff Establish framework for the plan Identify any key issues Discuss the methods that will be used to develop required information Draw on WRD staff expertise Understand specific criteria that WRD will apply in evaluating the plan

Assemble Planning Team Using district staff Working together with other districts or agencies Hiring a consultant – pieces or all

Involving the Public or other Agencies Why should a district involve the public or other agencies? –Early buy-in for conservation planning –Involve key partners (other districts, counties, etc…) –Speed up the WRD review process Easy ways to do this –Bill message inserts, district newsletters and websites –Public advisory committee –Public meetings and presentations –Local newspaper article updates

Funding Plan Preparation No funding specifically for WMCPs District staffing & funding Federal or State Funding Programs –BOR: 2025 Challenge Grants (50/50 cost share) –NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants –Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program –Oregon Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund

Guidance for Preparing the Plan Starting with the Checklist: Taking it one step at a time.    Required Evaluate Optional

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing the Water Supplier Description  Introduction / general background  Summary of existing water rights  Description of sources of water  Schematic or map of water delivery system  Current water use  Major water classifications and uses  Types of on-farm irrigation systems  Crops typically grown (estimated average and peak water use)  Operations and maintenance program  Most items in this section are required

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Potential Sources for Information Previous Reports: –District facilities plans –O&M manuals –City of County growth and development –Capital Improvements Plans –Fisheries Management Plan

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Potential Sources for Information Data Collection: –Water rights –Sources of water –Current water usage –Water use classifications –Types of irrigation systems –Crops commonly grown –Billing records

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Potential Sources for Information Intergovernmental or exchange agreements/contracts Maps/Illustrations showing: –Systems drawings –Boundaries –Storage and distribution facilities –Points of diversion –Major operation spills

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Introduction and General Background History of the District Location, Climate, Maps, Soils, Etc. A Historical Summary of Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) for the principal river basins of Oregon can be downloaded at: SWSI_Summary.cvs

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Summary of Existing Water Rights This table will include permitted, certificated, decreed, statutory, and limited license water rights Water Rights Certificate and Permits Location of Water Right Acreage Acreage (or Acre Feet of Storage) Conditions of Water Rights Seasons of Use Certificate 1235 (held by district) – a secondary right related to Cedar Creek Reservoir Downstream from Cedar Creek Reservoir T1S R1W portions of section 2,3,4,5, & acresStandard conditions for irrigation and must have BOR contract May - October Access WRD’s Water Rights Information System at or your localwww.wrd.state.or.us Watermaster through for assistance in describing existing water rights

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sources of Water Sources of water may include: –Storage and regulation facilities, –Transfers, rotation, exchange, or intergovernmental agreements Description should include: –Type –Source of water (stream or aquifer) –Location of point of diversion (township, range and quarter-quarter section) –Diversion (structure or equipment) –Wells (depth, diameter and pump capacity) –Reservoirs (dam height, crest and normal operating pool) –Agreements (type, entity, terms and conditions, quantity, sale, and period)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Schematic of the Water Delivery System District boundaries Storage facilities Distribution systems Direction of flow Drainage systems Diversion points Measuring devices Major spills and return flows Special water recovery/reuse infrastructure such as ASR Interconnection and other supply systems Other features as applicable Sources: USGS Maps can cost less than $125 ARC-GIS programs can be used OSU has a wide array of information on mapping at Tips: The schematic does not have to be a map but could be a flow chart or schematic. It does not need to be professionally done but could be done by hand or in a GIS/GPS mapping program

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sample Schematic

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sample Schematics

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Current Water Use Tables may include: peak and annual diversions, and when available, return flows and water reuse YearDiversionPermit #Time of Use Annual diversion (AF/Year) Peak Diversion (AF/Year) Peak Diversion (cfs) 1998Alpha Creek Beta River Theta Reservoir S-001 S-002 S-003 Seasonal Full Year Alpha Creek Beta River Theta Reservoir S-001 S-002 S-003 Seasonal Full Year

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Estimating Return Flows Can include: –Surface runoff (measure) –Seepage into drains or streams (measure) –Deep percolation (estimate) System TypePercolation (%) Hand move, side move, side roll18 Solid set (low wind design)30 Solid set (high wind design)18 Center pivot, Linear move10 Traveling big gun (low wind design) 35 Traveling big gun (high wind design) 18 Surface irrigation10-80 Drip/trickle10

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Major Water Classifications and Uses Summary: –Major classifications including water rights and acreage –# of accounts for each classification –Beneficial use Classification Groups: –Irrigation –Frost protection –Livestock –Fire protection –Industrial users –Municipal deliveries –Commercial –Instream –Power generation

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Major Water Classifications and Uses ClassificationDescriptionAcreage % of Total IrrigationCropping LivestockCattle/Sheep Irrigation/Frost ProtectionOrchard4209 IndustrialProcessing Plants1804 Unknown 3025 Totals ** Information obtained using surveys in 2004 & 2006

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Types of On-Farm Irrigation Systems Pivots and linear systems Wheel lines and hand lines Solid set Drip/trickle/microspray Flood/furrow Ways to obtain this information is through a mailed survey or to use estimations based on visual inspections and discussions with representative water users Example: A survey mailed to members of an irrigation district could be used to determine the amount of land irrigated by each of the different irrigation system types used in the district. The survey results are shown below. System TypeAcres Center Pivot1489 Fixed Interval Sprinkler Surface4664 Totals19862

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sample Crop Water Requirements Extension Bulletin 8530 can be used to estimate net irrigation requirements for your region by crop type

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Crops Typically Grown (estimated average and peak water use) Example #1: A mailed survey of client farms, determined the following mix of crops: Corn (1800 acres); Mint (2700 acres); Grapes (1400 acres); Other (200 acres). Using the survey results and information from Bulletin 8530, the district was able to estimate peak water consumption for each crop. The acreage listed as ‘other’ accounts for land on which cropping is not known and small acreages of miscellaneous minor fields/crops. CropAcresAprMayJunJulAugSepOctTotals Corn Mint Grapes Other Total6100

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Operations and Maintenance Issues (Brainstorming) What are some of the exceptional or reoccurring maintenance issues districts are faced with? What are some maintenance or repair items that effect operations? Are there ways to overcome these issues?

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Operations and Maintenance Program Operations –Organization, personnel w/ duties, annual procedures, equipment, and recurring operational problems Repair and maintenance –Major repairs, resources assigned to fix the problem, and schedule

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing the Water Conservation Element Progress Report, Measurement Program, Current Conservation Measures, and Goals Evaluation of Opportunities for Improving Water Use Efficiency Evaluation of Conservation Measures Not Currently Implemented Description and Estimated Schedule for Implementation of Conservation Measures Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing the Water Conservation Element  Progress report on conservation measures from the previous WMCP  Description of the districts measurement program  Description of currently implemented conservation measures  Short and long-term goals to improve water management  All Items in this section are required Part 1

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Potential Sources for Information Book and other publications Conference events (OWRC and OSU Extension Services) Water Conservation Plans developed by districts throughout Oregon and other Western states Water Conservation plan Guidelines (EPA) Achieving Efficient Water Management: a Guidebook for Preparing Agricultural Water Conservation Plans (BOR) Irrigation Management Practices: Checklist for Oregon (OSU) AWWA Waterwiser Website Regional Water Providers Consortium

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Progress Report on Conservation Measures from the Previous WMCP If this is the first time that the district has submitted a WMCP then a progress report is not required. Updates on previous plans must include: –Progress made toward conservation actions described in earlier plans –Short or long-term goals that did not previously have schedules should be addressed –Changes in circumstances since the last plan that lead to schedule delays should also be addressed

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Description of the Districts Measurement Program Description of the types of diversion measurements used Accounting of methods used at all diversion points Seasonal measurement schedule Photographs and descriptions of typical measurement devices

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Benefits of Better Water Measurement (Brainstorming) What are the benefits to a district for accurate water measurement and recording keeping?

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Description of Currently Implemented Conservation Measures Summary of previous and ongoing conservation activities undertaken Examples include: –District maintenance program –Educational materials provided to the district irrigators –Any activities that are perceived to enhance the delivery and efficiency of water use

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Short and Long-term Goals to Improve Water Management Examples include: –Reducing identified losses through piping or lining –Promoting energy audits –Adopting rate structures –Public education programs –Technical assistance such as irrigation scheduling –Retrofits of inefficient water-using devices –Water reuse –Other possible actions that would improve water use efficiency

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Evaluation of the Opportunities for Improving Water Use Efficiency  Description of losses of water  Assessment of whether water deliveries are insufficient to meet crop needs  Assessment of whether water deliveries are insufficient to meet other needs  Most items in this section should be evaluated Part 2

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Description of Losses of Water Determine losses from operational spills Estimate canal losses –Ponding method –Inflow-outflow method Estimate transmission losses Compute district average losses Improve the accuracy of estimates of distribution system losses

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Determine Losses from Operational Spills Initial Fill – volume of water needed at the start of delivery operations Flushing Flow – volume of water used to flush debris from canals at the start of the irrigation season Imperfect scheduling of deliveries Conservation Measure Ideas: Spills can be captured in regulation reservoirs and directed back into the distribution system or stream Operational Spills can be measured and quantified.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Estimating Canal Losses Step #1: Estimate the rate of water loss in cfs from representative sections of the canal system (e.g. pipelines, canals of various configurations, or combination of canals and control structures). Step #2: Multiply the loss rate by the distances traveled through the canal system to determine total canal loss rates in cfs and district total daily loss rates in acre-feet per day. Step #3: Multiply the daily loss rate by the number of days the canals are in use.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Determining Rate of Water Loss Experimental Methods –Ponding Method –Inflow-Outflow Method Estimation Method –Percent of water diverted (adjustments based on soil types, subsoil structure, and proportion of time canal is in operation)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Estimating Average District Losses Useful in evaluating opportunities for improving distribution efficiency Calculate average water loss in each sector of the main canal(s) and secondary canals

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Calculating Gross Water Requirements (Exercise)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Assessment of Whether Water Deliveries are Insufficient to Meet Crop Needs In text or table format evaluate the extent the water supply system falls short of meeting crop water demands Does not need to be exhaustive

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Assessment of Whether Water Deliveries are Insufficient to Meet Other Needs Municipal water Delivery to industrial users Fire Protection Maintenance of in-stream flows Pass through conveyance of water to other districts Conveyance of flood runoff Conjunctive use for power production Minimum required stream flows (mandated by Dam Operations Plan)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Evaluate Each of the Conservation Measures Not Currently Implemented  Promotion of energy audits  Conversion to metered, pressurized deliveries  Piping or lining earthen canals  Modifying distribution facilities and district policies  On-Farm irrigation scheduling assistance  Construction of re-regulating reservoirs  Adoption of rate structures  Any other conservation measures Part 3  All items in this section should be evaluated

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Energy Audits The district can contact local energy utilities to inquire about availability of energy audits by utility personnel, or training of district personnel to perform distribution system energy audits, such as evaluating existing pump stations. In addition to district level energy audit, there are resources available to district patrons through local utilities. For further information, visit the following websites: –Oregon Dept. of Energy: –Energy Trust of Oregon: –Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance:

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Energy Audits - Example An Oregon State University study of actual efficiencies in 529 tests of pumps on working farms in Oregon found: Efficiencies ranged from 14% to 79% 77% of the pumping plants were operating at less than 67% (the lower limit of nominal efficiencies) 24% of the pimping plants were operating at less than 50% efficiency

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Conversion to Metered, Pressurized Deliveries Number of small parcels within district boundaries Potential for future division of larger parcels Type of beneficial use expected on these parcels Cost price estimates for construction of pump and meter systems to deliver pressurized water to small parcels. Different fee structure (?)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Piping or Lining Earthen Canals Obtain cost estimates for piping or lining earthen canals Prepare economic analysis that accounts for the value of the water saved.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Modifying Distribution Facilities and District Policies Operation strategies to increase water delivery capability to specific areas Structural modifications to improve delivery efficiency Short-term goal to identify opportunities to improve delivery flexibility Long-term goal to secure funding for infrastructure improvements

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description On-Farm Irrigation Scheduling Assistance Real Life Examples and Resources

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Construction of Re-Regulating Reservoirs Where operational spills are significant, construction and operational costs for re- regulating reservoirs should be evaluated.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Rate Structures While OAR (6g) requires a district to evaluate the adoption of rate structures that encourage conservation, there may be statutory or contractual provisions that prescribe the district rate structure.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Description and Estimated Implementation Schedule of Conservation Measures  Schedule for implementation of proposed conservation measures  Public Education Program  Any other conservation measures identified as feasible and appropriate  A program to monitor and evaluate implemented conservation measures  All Items in this section are required Part 4

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Public Education Program Examples Brochures providing tips for water savings Displays at county fairs, community events, libraries, schools, etc. Partnerships with the private sector such as lawn and garden centers Speakers bureaus Newsletters or press releases Rain gauges, rain barrels, bumper stickers, etc. Billboards, buses, radio, or television Internet websites or

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Evaluating and Monitoring Potential Conservation Measures Cost in comparison to other measures and the overall operations budget Effectiveness/Efficiency of the conservation measure Effectiveness in meeting district needs Impact on revenue Resources and operational capacity Amount of water savings How the water conservation actively relates to district customers Community acceptance

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing a Water Curtailment Plan  Description of past supply deficiencies and current capacity limitations  Description of the situation(s) that trigger implementation of water curtailment elements  Description of the procedure used to allocate water during shortages  All Items in this section are required

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sources of Information The National Drought Mitigation Center (University of Nebraska) The USDA/NRCS National Water Management Center AWWA Manual M-50 Water Resources Planning (2001) AWWA Drought Management Handbook (2002) WRD Tools for dealing with a Drought: Emergency change in point of diversion (OAR ) Emergency water use permits Temporary transfers of water rights Use of existing right option/agreement

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sources of Information Drought Watch NRCS Drought Management sessment/season_drought.gif BOR Reservoir Levels

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Past Supply Deficiencies and Current Capacity Limitations Historical discussion of actions taken in the past during times of environmental or man-made shortages Assessment of the ability to maintain delivery during drought or other source shortages

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Situation(s) that Trigger Implementation of Water Curtailment Elements Describe water supply situations that cause curtailment plan to be implemented. Triggers could be linked to: –Basin weather data –Flow disruption –Water contamination –Pre-season assessment of supply

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Procedures Used to Allocate Water During Shortages Plan element should include: –Decision maker(s) to enact plan –List of officials to contact –Communication plan (who is notified and when) –Which diversions are restricted and when –Operational changes to be instituted –Allocation authority or agreement(s) –Enforcement process

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Procedures Used to Allocate Water During Shortages Possible Water Allocation Methods include: –Uniform reduction –Priority date –Voluntary cut-backs –Buy back of water –Retiring of land

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Curtailment Triggers (Example) A District monitors the NRCS and Hydromet web sites for current climate information and snowpack data. –When the indices of precipitation and snow depth are more than 20% below average, water users are notified of potential drought during the irrigation season. –If the indices are 30% below average and the depth of Theta Reservoir is 30% below average by April 1, allocation of water will be reduced uniformly to all water users. –Delivery reductions will also be instituted if the Governor declares a basin-wide drought emergency.

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description You Are Almost Done! The last steps are the water supply elements and a few additional requirements and you are ready to submit your plan for review! Full steam ahead…

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing the Water Supply Element Estimate long-range demand, compare projected needs and sources Evaluation of additional long-range water need factors Part 1 Part 2

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Preparing the Water Supply Elements  Estimate of long-range water demand projections for 20 years  Comparison of the projected water needs and current supply sources  List of potential sources of water to supply the long-range needs  Comparison of potential sources of additional water  All Items in this section are required Part 1

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Sources of Information District billing records Prior WMCP Oregon Department of Agriculture studies City of County land use plans Local or regional population forecasts or demographic data Interviews with local or county planning staff Local weather information regarding temperature and rainfall Water rights information from WRD or your local Watermaster

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Estimate of Long-Range Water Demand Projections (20 Years) Factors to consider: –Lining or piping projects –District boundary changes –Agricultural and industry trends –Urbanization trends –Climate changes

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Comparison of the Projected Water Needs and Available Sources Consider adequacy and reliability of water sources to meet the projected demand –Physical restrictions of source (interties, seasonal low flows) –Existing or future restrictions (ESA, instream flow requirements, groundwater limits)

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description List and Comparison of Potential Sources of Water to Supply the Long-range Needs Consider sources such as: –Conserved water –New sources –Water reuse Perform cost/benefit analysis of options identified

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Evaluation of the Effects of the Following Factors on Long-Range Water Needs  Regional options for meeting future water needs  Urbanized and other land use trends  Local government related plans or ordinances Part 2  All items in this section should be evaluated

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Evaluation of the Effects of the Following Factors on Long-Range Water Needs Regional Options for Meeting Future Water Needs –Look at options from a regional perspective Urbanized and Other Land Use Trends –Look at long-term water demands base on potential land use changes Local Government Related Plans or Ordinances –Review and summarize long-term planning indicatives, comprehensive plans, water supply plans

SupplyCurtailmentConservation Description Effects of Urbanization (Exercise)

Additional Information  List of affected local agencies (to involve in the review process)  Date of WMCP update submittal (must be within 10 years)  All Items in this section are required

The Typical WRD Process Draft Plan Prepared by applicant Applicant Submits Final Plan Initial Plan Review By WRD Final Review By WRD WRD Proposed Final Order Denied Plan not approved Final Order Plan approved by WRD Appeal DeniedContested Case Request Review by WRD Director appointed board Additional Time Negotiate with WRD for more time Notification to applicant and any commenter’s by WRD Plan does not pass review File Appeal with Commission Applicant provides 30-day notice to affected local governments WRD provides Public notice on website WRD Provides Comment on Initial Plan Applicant Submits Plan to WRD Applicant and commenting parties have 30 days to appeal Plan does not meet WRD criteria for approval Early public involvement saves you time and money in the review

Questions/Comments