TWCA Annual Convention: Can/Should Texas Learn from Colorado? Jordan Furnans and Dave Colvin

Can/Should Texas learn from Colorado? A primer on groundwater-surface water interactions and

regulation methods

TWCA Spring MeetingMarch 4, 2016

Jordan Furnans, PhD, PE and Dave Colvin, PG

HB 1232 (2015) – Recognition of SW-GW Linkage?

San Saba River, Menard Co.

October 2012 – TCEQ Receives “Missing Water” Complaint:

“Numerous shallow groundwater wells being utilized to pump surface water in the form of underflow from the San Saba River”

TCEQ Investigates possible explanations for water loss between US HW 83 and 5-Mile Bridge

TCEQ Investigation:

“the authorized diversions during the time have no significant impact and thus are not responsible for such dramatic losses in the river in the segment between US Highway 83 to 5-mile bridge.”

“monthly average ETo losses do not account for the periodic dramatic losses in the San Saba River between US Highway 83 to 5-mile bridge.”

“With the exception of the commonly known shallow alluvium irrigation wells, all other factors which may be responsible for the dramatic losses between US Highway 83 and 5-mile bridge have been considered and would not be likely to account for the remaining losses. Utilizing the best available scientific data, it is therefore concluded that the shallow alluvium irrigation wells are the most likely factor to account for the remaining losses of water.”

TCEQ Enforcement Action

Suggested Resolution:

Amend surface water permit to allow diversion at property location

COLORADO’S STATEWIDE WATER

Colorado’s Water Imbalance

Source:South Platte Basin Implementation Plan; http://www.southplattebasin.com//

http://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/water/artificial-recharge/

Colorado’s Water Imbalance

Source:South Platte Basin Implementation Plan; http://www.southplattebasin.com//

By 2050:• 6 Million people• ~200,000 Ag acres

transferred to municipal water use

http://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/water/artificial-recharge/

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASINWATER AVAILABILITY

South Platte Water Resources

COLORADO’S WATER ADMINISTRATION EVOLUTION

1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996

First Groundwater Well

1889

Irrigation Development Starts1860

Water management increases South Platte flows

1896

Electrical pumps increase numbers of wells

1930

1950 - 1960Drought

1980 - 2000Wet Period

2002 - 2007Drought of Record

SOUTH PLATTE BASINWATER ADMINISTRATION

Supreme Court decision: single use/return flows1913

1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996


1889


Colorado Groundwater Law

1957



1896


1930

Groundwater Management Act

1965

Water Right Determination and Administration Act

1969

1950 - 1960Drought




1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996


1889



1957



1896


1930


1965


1969

1950 - 1960Drought




Justice Groves, “as administration of water approaches its second century, the curtain is opening upon the new drama of maximum utilization and how constitutionally that doctrine can be integrated into the law of vested rights.”

Justice Groves, “as administration of water approaches its second century, the curtain is opening upon the new drama of maximum utilization and how constitutionally that doctrine can be integrated into the law of vested rights.”

1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996


1889



1957 Senate commissions 2 year surface water/groundwater study1967

Well Users form GASP and GMS1972



1896


1930


1965


1969

1950 - 1960Drought




1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996


1889





SWSP Legislation2002



1896


1930


1965


1969

Empire Lodge v. Moyer

2001

Simpson v. Bijou Irrigation Co.

2003

1950 - 1960Drought




Bedrock

Alluvial Aquifer

Rive

r

Water table: losing stream

Floodplain

Alluvial Recharge Process

Bedrock

Floodplain

Rive

r

Alluvial Aquifer

Infiltration basins

Alluvial Recharge Process

1860 1877 1894 1911 1928 1945 1962 1979 1996


1889





SWSP Legislation2002

Hundreds of wells curtailed2005

HB-1278 Commissions alluvial aquifer study2012



1896


1930


1965


1969

Empire Lodge v. Moyer

2001

Simpson v. Bijou Irrigation Co.

2003

High groundwater damaging property

2008

1950 - 1960Drought




FIELD METHODS FOR SURFACE WATER GROUNDWATER INTERACTION

TRWD – Trinity River Study

(RBF Test Well)


River Water Capture – Fluorescence Fingerprint Analyses

Groundwater with lower percentage of river water

Groundwater with higher percentage of river water


MODELING GROUNDWATER PUMPING IMPACTS TO SURFACE WATER

South Platte River – Depletion Analysis Methodology Comparison

CONCLUDING REMARKS

TWCA Annual Convention: Can/Should Texas Learn from Colorado? Jordan Furnans and Dave Colvin

Environment

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