Snake/Salt Basin Advisory Group
Meeting Record
Afton, Wyoming
August 6, 2001
Welcome
Facilitator Cathy Lujan opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. The agenda was reviewed for
the meeting and all that were in attendance made introductions. Each participant was
given the chance to state his or her name and affiliation. There were approximately 40
people in attendance.
Planning Team Issues
The facilitators passed out name cards with the mission statement and ground rules
printed on the back. Along with the name cards, reference notebooks were handed out to
all of the BAG members. Participants volunteered to deliver a portion of the books to
people that were unable to attend. The remaining books would be mailed out. Jodie
Jackson then gave a description of the books and explained that additional information
would be given to the BAG members during the various BAG meetings for insertion in
the notebooks.
The following schedule was agreed on for the next three Snake-Salt BAG meetings:
Monday, October 8, 2001 - Jackson
Monday, December 10, 2001 - Alpine
Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - Afton
The times will remain the same for the meetings, 6 - 9 p.m.
Update BAG Membership
The question was brought up if there needed to be anything done to the BAG
membership as it presently exists. It was discussed that maybe there should be some
Idaho representation. A couple stated that they owned and operated a ranch that extended
over into Idaho. Another suggestion was made that residents from the Alta area may
wish to participate. Additional nominations were then solicited and will be followed up
by state staff. It was also discussed that a list of all of the Snake-Salt BAG members
would be provided at the next meeting.
Review of Issues Identification
The facilitators directed the attention of the BAG members to the issues that were
identified at the last meeting. It was asked if there were any changes that needed to be
made or any areas that did not appear to be covered. No comments were made at this
time. However, it was explained this list was a work in progress and that things could be
added or taken off at anytime. One BAG member indicated that she would like to discuss
an additional issue at the next meeting.
Consultant Update - Sunrise Engineering
Brad Jorgensen gave the consultant update. It was explained that the preliminary stages
of this project consist of the gathering of existing data. Linda Williams of Boyle
Engineering, while here in the area, will be in the field with Sunrise Engineering and
some of the State Engineer's Office hydrographer commissioners for both the Snake and
the Salt basins, in an effort to become better familiarized with the area. It was explained
that Sunrise Engineering was able to attend their first basin consultants meeting in
Cheyenne with the Wyoming Water Development Commission during the previous
month. These meetings will assist the consultants and ensure consistency with the plans
being developed for the states' other river basins.
Hydrologic Modeling - Linda Williams, Boyle Engineering
Linda discussed the modeling portion of the project that Boyle Engineering will be
involved in. Steps to create this model were discussed as follows:
- Collect Data
- Select Study Period
- Estimate Missing Data
- Construct Model
- Calibrate Data
It was explained that this model would be used to assist in the future planning process for
this basin study. Linda's PowerPoint presentation will be made available online through
the water planning website at
http://waterplan.state.wy.us/BAG/snake/briefbook/modelppt/sld001.html
Hydrologic Impacts of Improved Irrigation Efficiencies - Brian Venn, UW
Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering
Brian was able to present findings from a study that he was involved in regarding
hydrologic impacts of improved irrigation efficiencies in the Salt River Basin. The
change to sprinklers was determined to be a positive change for the irrigators. However,
groundwater tables decreased due to the lack of flood irrigation that is attributed to
recharging of the groundwater table. Copies of his PowerPoint presentation were also to
be made available online at
http://waterplan.state.wy.us/BAG/snake/briefbook/irreff_pres/sld001.html
A question was asked if the Wyoming Game & Fish had any information on how
sprinkler versus flood irrigation has effected fish populations. A respondent stated that
with this change to sprinkler irrigation, there was more water flowing in the river in the
months of May and June and less in the months of July and August. The Wyoming
Game & Fish will be invited to make a presentation on the fisheries of both the Snake
and Salt River Basins in the upcoming months.
Snake River Compact and Water Law - Sue Lowry, SEO
Sue was able to present some of the State Engineer's Office responsibilities with regards
to the administration of the waters in the state, including:
- Permitting and Regulatory Responsibilities
- Interstate Compact/Decree Administration
- Water Resources Data Collection & Distribution
- Water Education
Specific examples were given with regards to how junior and senior water rights are
administered. Other discussions included the topics of instream flow rights, conservation
efforts and the Snake River Compact. Sue's PowerPoint presentation was made available
to all those in attendance in a hard copy format, and will be placed online as well at
http://waterplan.state.wy.us/BAG/snake/briefbook/compact_pres/sld001.html
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
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