Wyoming State Water Plan, Wyoming Water Development Office
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EXHIBIT A
POWDER/TONGUE RIVER BASIN PLAN
SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. AUTHORIZATION:

The 2000 Legislature authorized the Wyoming Water Development Commission to complete the Northeast Wyoming and Powder/Tongue River Basin portions of the State Water Plan. The Consultant will complete the tasks and requirements outlined in this document.

B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

  1. Location. The project is located in the Powder River Structural Basin in Northeast Wyoming.

  2. Purpose. The project will include the preparation of the Northeast Wyoming River Basin Plan, which includes the Little Missouri, Belle Fourche, Cheyenne, and Niobrara River Basins, and the Powder/Tongue River Basin Plan, which includes the Powder, Tongue, and Little Bighorn River Basins. All data collected and provided by the Consultant must be compatible with applicable data standards established by the Water Development Commission for the State Water Plan, with the database requirements of the Water Resources Data System, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming College of Engineering, and with the Wyoming Office of Geographic Information Systems.

  3. History. The 1996 Wyoming Legislature authorized the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) and the State Engineer's Office (SEO) to prepare a proposal for updating the 1973 Framework Water Plan. In 1997, the Legislature appropriated funds for a water planning feasibility study. The WWDC and the SEO chose the Bear River Basin as a pilot area to test planning assumptions, cost estimates and public involvement techniques. The WWDC and the SEO organized a Basin Advisory Group (BAG) that met on a regular basis during 1998 and submitted a final report to the WWDC in September of 1998. The 1999 Legislature authorized the preparation of river basin plans for the Green and Bear River Basins, which are currently underway. The Bear River BAG was reconvened to assist with the planing process. A BAG was also formed in the Green River Basin for the same purpose. Both Groups are meeting on a regular basis during Plan development. Following this model, BAGs will be established in both the Powder/Tongue and Northeast Wyoming River Basin Planning Areas.

  4. References. Several important documents were generated during the 1997-98 feasibility study. The Consultant should be familiar with the following documents, all of which are available for review in the WWDC Office (Some of these documents and other pertinent information may be viewed on the Wyoming Water Plan Home Page: http://waterplan.state.wy.us/ )

    Water Development Commission, et. al. State of Wyoming Water Planning Questionnaire Report, January 1998.

    Water Development Commission, et. al. Final Report: Bear River Basin Water Planning Advisory Group, September 1998.

    Water Development Commission, et. al. 1999 Wyoming Water Planning Process Implementation Recommendations Executive Summary, undated.

    Boyle Engineering Corporation. State Water Planning Process Feasibility Report, October 1988. Appendix B Data Themes in this document provides important information on the extent and standards for data collection.

    WWDC. Bear River Reference Notebook, and Green River Reference Notebook

    WWDC. Water Planning Newsletter. Winter, 2000.

C. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

  1. Progress Reports

    The Consultant shall submit a brief monthly progress report outlining the study status, progress, and results to date, regardless of whether or not a billing statement is submitted, on or before the last working day of the month.

    Each billing statement must include a task by task report and receipts for reimbursable expenses justifying the cost items contained in the billing statement. The monthly progress report may be used as the justification for the billing statement as long as all cost items covered in the billing statement are addressed in the progress report.

  2. Computer Models, Statement of Assumptions, Project Work File

    a. If the Consultant writes or uses a computer model or spreadsheet as a part of this project, the Consultant shall submit to the WWDC for approval all proposed model names and data formats prior to beginning work on that task. All data shall be submitted to WWDC in written and digital form with the final report. Digital media shall be labeled by the Consultant to provide sufficient detail to access the information on the media. User manuals shall be submitted by the Consultant to WWDC providing complete documentation of computer models developed under this project. The user manuals shall also contain the source code language and the type of computer equipment necessary to operate the model(s). The computer models and spreadsheets (written and digital forms) are due on the same date as the final report that contains the information generated by the model.

    b. To facilitate the Commission's accurate evaluation of the Consultant's work product, computations, conclusions and recommendations, the Consultant shall:

    • Include in the final report a section describing the assumptions and methodology used by the Consultant in generating the data and conclusions contained in that report.

    • Maintain a project work file containing the materials used in project analysis. This file will be available for review by the Commission and should be organized in such a way as to allow replication of the steps and procedures used by the Consultant to reach the conclusions described in the study.

    • Prepare a project notebook containing a description of the assumptions and methodologies used in the project analysis. The notebook shall be organized in such a way as to allow replication of the steps, calculations, and procedures used by the Consultant to reach conclusions, described in the draft final report. The project notebook shall be submitted with the draft final report.

  3. Cost Estimates

    The Consultant shall provide, as a part of project cost estimates, an estimate of:

    a. The cost to prepare final plans and specifications.
    b. The cost to acquire permits and to mitigate project impacts.
    c. The cost of project legal expenses.
    d. The cost of acquiring access and rights-of-way.

  4. Calculation of Engineering Costs and Contingencies

    The Consultant shall use the following format and guidelines in calculating final cost es- timates.

    Final Cost Estimates

         	Preparation of Final Designs and Specifications	    $___________
         	Permitting and Mitigation	                    $___________
         	Legal Fees	                                    $___________
    Acquisition of Access and Rights of Way	                    $___________
    Cost of Project Components	    	$__________
        	                                $__________
        	                                $__________
    Construction Cost Subtotal #1	    	$__________			
    Engineering Costs = CCS #1 x 10%	$__________
    Construction Cost Subtotal #2	    	$__________
    Contingency = CCS #2 x 15%		$__________
    Construction Cost Total	                                    $__________
    Project Cost Total			                    $__________
    

  5. Final Report

    The Consultant shall use the Contract Scope of Services as the outline for draft and final reports so that Consultant compliance with Contract provisions can be verified. IF THE FINAL REPORT CONTAINS INFORMATION OF AN ENGINEERING NATURE, THE COVER OF THE FINAL REPORT, ALL PLATES, AND THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MUST BE STAMPED AND SIGNED BY A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER LICENSED IN THE STATE OF WYOMING. IF THE FINAL REPORT CONTAINS INFORMATION OF A GEOLOGIC NATURE, THE COVER OF THE FINAL REPORT, ALL PLATES, AND THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MUST BE STAMPED AND SIGNED BY A PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE OF WYOMING.

  6. Final Report - Digital Format

    In addition to the paper submittal described in Section C.5 above, the Consultant shall also provide the final report in a digital format. This digital format shall contain the final report in its entirety, including all text, tables, plates, figures, etc. The deliverables under this section shall be contained on a standard CD ROM(S). The document shall be in WordPerfect 7, or compatible, format. Any plates, figures, etc. not suitable for WordPerfect 7 shall be in AutoCad 14, ArcView 3.2, or compatible, format. Other formats may be used if approved in advance by the WWDC project manager.

  7. Anticipated Project Funding Assistance

    The Consultant shall clearly identify project components eligible for WWDC funding, both in cost estimates and in project mapping. The Consultant shall verify project component funding eligibility with the WWDC prior to commencing any economic analysis. Unless otherwise directed by the WWDC project manager, the Consultant shall assume that all projects will be funded with a 50% grant and a 50% loan. The WWDC loan portion of the project will be financed at the interest rate established by the State Lands and Investments Board (presently 7.25% for municipal and domestic and 6% for agriculture) with a term to be specified by the WWDC project manager. If funding is anticipated from another agency, such as the Office of State Lands and Investments, Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) or Rural Utility Service (RUS), the Consultant shall prepare cost estimates for system components not eligible for WWDC assistance in a format and level of detail acceptable to the potential funding agency.

    If required in the Contract Scope of Services, the Consultant shall provide the information necessary to complete applications to RUS, the Office of State Lands and Investments, and any other identified funding sources.

  8. Project Access

    The Consultant shall be responsible for obtaining access as required for project tasks.

  9. Units of Measurement

    All units of measurement used in the water planning process shall be English.

PHASE II. - POWDER / TONGUE RIVER BASIN PLAN

Task 1. Meetings

The Consultant shall attend Basin Advisory Group (BAG) meetings, which will be held every other month for the duration of the contract. For cost estimating purposes the Consultant shall assume twelve meetings with the BAG, three hours in length, in the basin. WWDC will arrange meeting places, provide public notification, prepare agendas, and provide a facilitator for the regular BAG meetings. The Consultant shall be prepared to give a presentation on current work progress at each meeting and to respond to comments from those in attendance. The Consultant shall prepare the meeting record for each meeting in a format determined by WWDC, and deliver same, in both digital and written formats, to WWDC within 7 days of the meeting.

Project meetings shall be conducted as necessary for the coordination of project activities and for informing the WWDC of project progress. Due to the number of agencies, entities, and individuals with a stake in the outcome, the Consultant shall be in regular contact with the WWDC Basin Plan Project Manager. This coordination is necessary to promote consistency in the basin planning process and compatibility of planning products. For cost estimating purposes the Consultant shall assume eighteen project meetings will be held in Cheyenne.

Task 2. Basin Water Use Profile

The Consultant shall inventory current consumptive and non-consumptive surface water and groundwater use within the basin of interest. Water use will be divided into the following categories:

Agricultural
Municipal
Industrial
Recreational
Environmental
Water Use from Storage

The Consultant shall identify and document previous water use studies and planning documents and, if applicable, incorporate those results into this task.

Concurrent with developing the Basin Water Use Profile, the Consultant shall collect information regarding both actual and perceived current water problems within the basin. The Consultant shall use the Basin Advisory Group (BAG) as a resource in identifying water concerns. The Consultant shall prepare a technical memorandum outlining water-related concerns within the basin, including location and approximate magnitude of current water shortages and water quality issues. Water quality issues should include sediment, total dissolved solids and individual constituents, and point source discharges.

Base Topographic Data

The Consultant shall develop a 1:24,000 scale digital map based on USGS Quadrangle Mapping for the basin. These base maps should include hydrography, roads, towns, and other physical features. The individual GIS layers in base maps shall be used to provide context, when appropriate, to other planning product layers as well as a source for general information.

Scale and Accuracy of GIS Data

The Consultant shall use and prepare the appropriate scale GIS data as specified in the Scope of Services and under the direction of the project manager. The Consultant shall only represent map scale as intended by the creators of any specific GIS coverage. (For example, 1:100,000 scale GIS data should be noted as such when represented in association with 1:24,000 scale data.) GIS layers created as part of this scope shall be at a 1:24,000 scale. Basin planning products compiled from existing GIS data sources for this scope shall use the largest scale data available. Refer to Boyle report, Appendix B Description of Data Themes and table #2, Planning Process Data.

The Consultant should identify, record and use the most current data available to produce planning products, and shall adhere to USGS National Mapping Accuracy Standards when developing GIS planning products. The Consultant shall record and provide metadata on all GIS products. All metadata will be Federal Geographic Data Committee compliant. All GIS deliverables will be provided as Arc-Info export files, Arc-View Shape files, and DXF files. In general, all data generated during the planning process shall be of sufficient detail, documentation and accuracy to meet litigation standards.

2A. Agricultural Use

The Consultant shall estimate the agricultural use within the basin by determining current irrigated acreage, estimating crop types, and estimating crop consumptive use. In addition, the Consultant shall obtain all diversion records applicable to the selected period of record, and prepare descriptions of large irrigation operations. Water spreading is an irrigation practice utilized in this basin which will require special attention, therefore the Consultant shall consult with the WWDC prior to work on this task.

1. Determine Irrigated Acreage

The Consultant shall prepare basin wide mapping of irrigated lands based on current imagery, and shall obtain existing irrigable lands coverage. If suitable imagery is not available it shall be acquired as part of this project. These coverages shall be imposed on a 1:24,000 scale digital USGS Quadrangle Map based in ArcInfo. These coverages shall be consistent with the Wyoming Geographic Information Advisory Council (WGIAC) GIS Hardware and Software Standards, and mapping completed for the Green and Bear River Basins. This base mapping shall include topography, hydrography, roads, towns, and other physical features in the basin.

The State Engineer's Office Water Division Superintendent will assist in field checking to verify actual usage. The Consultant shall incorporate the Division Superintendent's comments and corrections into the final irrigated acreage mapping, and actual acreage under irrigation will be determined. The Division Superintendent will also be questioned regarding lands where consumptive use requirements are generally not satisfied by available water supplies. Again, water spreading will require special attention with regard to this topic.

2. Estimate Crop Types

Water requirements vary by crop type, therefore, it is necessary to estimate the types of crops under irrigation. The Consultant shall determine cropping patterns using Wyoming Agricultural Statistics and National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) data for irrigated lands published yearly by county. The local water commissioner and irrigation district officials will be contacted to review the resultant crop types, to provide additional detailed information on cropping patterns, and to provide input on yearly variance in crop types.

3. Estimate Crop Consumptive Use

Based on the irrigated acres of each crop type, water requirements can be estimated. The Consultant shall use consumptive use values presented in WWRC Publication #92 - 06, "Consumptive Use and Consumptive Irrigation Requirements in Wyoming", or more recent documents as approved by the WWDC. In addition to average monthly consumptive use, dry year and wet year monthly consumptive use values will be determined. Dry and wet year crop consumptive use will be determined from the maximum and minimum values reported in WWRC publication #92-06.

Water-short systems may not be able to satisfy consumptive use requirements during average or dry years. Therefore, a realistic value of actual water use, or supply-limited consumptive use, must be estimated. Based on previous water use studies, and information from the local water commissioner, the Consultant shall estimate the water supply-limited consumptive use for water-short systems. Estimated supply-limited consumptive use will replace calculated consumptive use for the associated acres.

4. Determine Source of Supply

The Consultant shall review the irrigated lands mapping and determine the source of supply, including groundwater, surface water source, and storage. Defining the agricultural use in a basin does not require that specific lands irrigated be associated with their individual water rights. Therefore, associating each water right with its respective irrigated acreage is not included in this scope. The SEO maintains a groundwater permit database that is considered a reasonable representation of current well locations and uses. The Consultant shall query the groundwater database for groundwater permits issued for agricultural use, and utilize other records of the SEO as appropriate for the level of accuracy required. Monitor well permits, enlargement permits, and canceled or abandoned permits should be excluded. The Consultant shall catalog all active agricultural wells with permitted production rates equal to or greater than 50 gallons per minute. The locations of agricultural wells will be extracted from the SEO database and incorporated into a GIS layer at 1:24,000 scale. Lands irrigated under groundwater permits will be identified. The Consultant shall assume that consumptive use requirements not met by adjudicated wells are met by surface water sources, including storage.

The Consultant shall provide for water right attribution for all water rights within the basin excluding only stock permits. The Consultant shall perform the following tasks:

  1. Obtain or prepare maps that identify polygons of irrigated lands.
  2. Compare polygons of irrigated lands to records of the State Engineer for both surface and groundwater.
  3. Abstract water right information (permit number, priority, amount, use, type, etc.) and assign polygon an attribute number.
  4. Associate polygon attribute numbers with water right information and develop a database.
  5. Submit draft mapping to appropriate State Engineer personnel for review and comment.

The Consultant shall compile, as appropriate to the selected period of record, all diversion records for diversions with headgate capacity equal to or greater than 10 cfs from the Board of Control Hydrographer's Annual Reports and from each irrigation district. These diversion records shall be associated with the appropriate irrigated acreage. The Consultant shall prepare operating information memorandums for ditches with capacity equal to or greater than 10 cfs, and for each irrigation district. Each memorandum should include a brief history, a general description of the system, water rights and structure operations, additional supplies from storage, general location and distribution of return flows, and a physical description. These memorandums should give enough detail to assist in any level of flow modeling, from simple water budgets to detailed computer simulation models.

Data on agricultural use will be compiled and presented in tabular, graphical, and spatial forms. Examples of data presentation include:

  1. A table listing irrigated land by major tributary basin with an accompanying bar-chart.
  2. A pie-chart summary of crop distribution.
  3. A table listing crop distribution acreage with an accompanying bar-chart.
  4. A table listing monthly agricultural water use for average, wet, and dry years.
  5. A GIS data layer of irrigated lands.
  6. A GIS data layer showing location and permit data for agricultural wells.
  7. A breakdown of groundwater and surface water supplied for irrigation.

2B. Municipal and Domestic Use

During the summer of 1999, the WWDC conducted a survey of known municipal and non-municipal community public water systems in Wyoming. The Consultant shall use the State of Wyoming 2000 Water System Survey Report to determine the municipal and rural domestic water supplies/uses within each basin. Information regarding the average and peak day use, as well as the surface source of water and/or the number of supply wells, is published in this document.

The Consultant shall identify wells permitted for municipal use by the SEO, and place the information in a GIS data layer / spatial database. Monitor well permits, enlargement permits, and canceled or abandoned permits should be excluded. The Consultant shall catalog all active wells with permitted production rates equal to or greater than 50 gallons per minute. The Consultant shall use the WWDC Water System Survey to determine the average monthly diversion and/or pumping, additional supplies from reservoirs, the estimated consumptive use, the river location of treated return flows, and variance in average use during dry and wet years for each municipality. The Consultant shall verify and complete data by direct contact with individual system administrators if necessary. If these data are unavailable, the average day use from the Water System Survey will be used and the consumptive use will be estimated to be forty-five percent (45%). This value is used by the WWDC when estimating municipal consumptive use in spreadsheet models and is considered acceptable.

The Consultant shall identify wells permitted for domestic use. These wells shall be aggregated into groups of appropriate size and the information placed on a GIS data layer at a representative location.

Data on municipal and domestic use will be compiled and presented in tabular, graphical, and spatial forms. Examples of data presentation include:

  1. Breakdown of groundwater and surface water supplied for public water systems.
  2. Table listing average monthly consumptive municipal water use.
  3. Table summarizing permitted domestic use.
  4. GIS data layer showing location of municipal water use within the basin.
  5. GIS data layer showing location and permit data for municipal wells and aggregated domestic wells.

Determining surface water rights for municipalities is not necessary for defining the municipal water use within a basin, therefore it is not included in this scope.

2C. Industrial Use

In many areas of Wyoming industrial water use is a significant component of the overall basin water use. The Consultant shall identify industrial users not supplied through municipal systems through discussions with local water commissioners, county assessors, and others. Wells permitted for industrial and miscellaneous use will be identified from the SEO records and shown on a GIS data layer. Monitor well permits, enlargement permits, and canceled or abandoned permits should be excluded. The Consultant shall catalog all active wells with permitted production rates equal to or greater than 50 gallons per minute for all industrial uses. The Consultant shall catalog all active wells, regardless of permitted production rate, for those wells associated with coal bed methane production. The Consultant shall survey identified users to determine their average monthly diversion and/or pumping, and their resulting consumptive use. If these data are unavailable, the maximum permitted production rate will be assumed for wells, and the consumptive use will be estimated based on the average consumptive use for the type of industry.

Data on industrial and miscellaneous use will be compiled and presented in tabular, graphical, and spatial forms. Example of data presentation include:

  1. A breakdown of groundwater and surface water produced for industrial use.
  2. A table listing average monthly industrial water production/use.
  3. A GIS data layer showing location of industrial water production/use within the basin.
  4. A GIS data layer showing location and permit data for industrial wells.

Determining and cataloging surface water rights for industrial use is not necessary for defining the industrial water use within a basin, therefore it is not included in this task.

2D. Recreational Use

The Consultant shall compile readily available data and mapping on public campgrounds, marinas, state and national parks, and historic areas and monuments in the basin as an indicator of water-related recreational activity. The Consultant shall hold discussions with the Wyoming Business Council, the Wyoming Department of State Parks, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and others regarding economic information on recreation. The Consultant shall prepare a memorandum that describes qualitatively the water-related recreational activities within the basin, and brackets the optimum reservoir levels and streamflows that promote maximum use. Existing GIS mapping showing stream classification and other recreational information will be identified and referenced, and included as appropriate in the basin plan.

2E. Environmental Use

Environmental water use, including minimum reservoir pools and releases, and instream bypass requirements to enhance fisheries and wildlife habitat, is important in defining the overall water use within a basin. The Consultant shall compile existing minimum reservoir releases and instream bypasses, and show their location on a GIS map layer. Existing GIS mapping showing wetlands, big game habitat, and other environmental information will be identified and referenced, and included in the basin plans. The Consultant shall survey local environmental interests for input. The Consultant shall prepare a memorandum that describes qualitatively the water-related environmental uses and benefits within the basin and brackets the optimum streamflows and/or reservoir levels for these benefits.

2F. Water Use from Storage

Storage of supplemental water for municipal, industrial, and late-season agricultural use is often an important component of basin water use in Wyoming. The Consultant shall identify all reservoirs permitted for other than stock uses from the State Engineer's Office records. Information to be obtained for each reservoir, as applicable to the selected period of record, include: permitted storage rights, historical end-of-month reservoir contents, area-capacity tables, evaporation rates, spillway and outlet capacity, project water right owners, average monthly release rates, and operational criteria including flood forecasting and hydropower generation. Diversions served by the reservoir will be identified and shown on a GIS layer. An operation memorandum will be prepared for each reservoir in sufficient detail for use in flow modeling tasks.

Data on reservoir storage will be compiled and presented in tabular form. Examples of data presentation include:

  1. A table listing average monthly storage for reservoirs.
  2. A table listing estimated average monthly evaporation for reservoirs.

Task 2. Deliverables

Tabular, Graphical, Spatial Data

  1. Irrigated acreage
  2. Crop distribution
  3. Average, wet, and dry year monthly agricultural use
  4. All agricultural diversion records
  5. Agricultural well information
  6. Reservoir locations
  7. Average monthly municipal water use, including groundwater
  8. Average monthly industrial water use, including groundwater
  9. Inventory of all irrigated lands in the basin with associated water right information for both surface and groundwater.

Memoranda

  1. Bibliography of previous water use studies
  2. Current water shortages and other concerns
  3. Diversion operations
  4. Reservoir operations
  5. Recreational water use
  6. Environmental water use

Task 3. Available Surface Water and Groundwater Determination

The Consultant shall develop spreadsheet modeling tools to determine streamflow in the basin during average, wet, and dry years, under current operating conditions. This tool will be used to verify the water use determined in Task 2, to determine additional available flow for future use including the constraints of compacts and decrees, and to assess the impacts of future water use opportunities. The modeling shall be documented within the spreadsheet through visible equations, links, and text descriptions of assumptions and data sources. The Consultant shall identify available tributary and non-tributary groundwater supplies.

3A. Surface Water Data Collection and Study Period Selection

Diversion records, reservoir operations and physical parameters, return flow information, and consumptive use estimates, gathered or determined in Task 2, will be required. Additional data to be collected include streamflow records, average annual precipitation, and water sales. A base map will be prepared showing basin hydrography on a GIS layer at 1:24,000 scale. This mapping shall include basin and sub-basin boundaries, stream networks, and major (>500 acre-feet) reservoirs and lakes.

Based on available data the Consultant will select a study period for use in the model to represent average, wet, and dry years. It is important that the period of record used in the model reflects the range of conditions experienced in the basin over the long term. The study period should ideally have a prolonged period of drought, a period of high runoff years, and periods reflecting average conditions. The Consultant shall use the entire selected period of record to determine the average year monthly streamflows. Annual total streamflow values will be ranked, with the years falling at or below the 20th percentile used to determine dry year monthly streamflows. The years falling at or above the 80th percentile will be used to determine wet year monthly streamflows. The average monthly flows for each period representing average, wet, and dry conditions will be determined from the arithmetic mean of the representative data. Coordination with the Northeast, Green, and Bear River Basin Plan Consultants will be performed, as appropriate, throughout this process to provide consistency in spreadsheet model assumptions and output format.

3B. Surface Water Data Synthesis and Spreadsheet Model Development

When performing mean monthly analyses, gaps in available data can often be ignored by simply not using any data for these months or years. If necessary, the Consultant will extend and fill gaps in the available data using appropriate, accepted hydrologic techniques. Data to be synthesized include streamflow, reservoir end-of-month contents, and diversion records. The Consultant shall determine mean monthly flows and reservoir storage values by calculating the arithmetic mean of the available data for each month. Average, dry and, wet year monthly water use determined in Task 2 will be used. If diversion records were obtained, diversions and return flows will be accounted for, otherwise, consumptive use estimates will be used.

The Consultant shall review the locations of water use and storage identified in Task 2F. Each of these locations will be represented as a node and the stream reaches between each node will be modeled. Typically, only tributaries with diversions are included. Other tributaries may be represented as a node to account for contributing streamflow. In addition, the Consultant shall represent streamgage locations as nodes. If necessary, the linked node representation will be modified to better suit the available data. The Consultant shall provide a schematic of the linked node representation.

The Consultant shall develop virgin flows at each node selected for inclusion in the analysis. If no major single or aggregate diversions or storage facilities exist above a node, historical flows represent virgin flows and no adjustments will be required. Small diversions not identified during Task 2 will be left in the gage. They will not be included during virgin flow development nor removed during model development. If identified diversions are made upstream of a node, the flows will be adjusted to a virgin condition by adding diversions, and subtracting flows that return that month above the node. In addition, the effects of upstream storage facilities will be added or subtracted. If tributaries with substantial diversions are not gaged, factors will be developed to distribute virgin flows seen at downstream gages based on drainage area and precipitation. Historical gains and losses due to groundwater interaction and stream surface evaporation will be estimated during the virgin flow determination process, along with other ungaged inflows, as the difference between gaged flows when all known storage and diversion effects are accounted for.

For the agricultural, municipal and industrial diversion records obtained in Task 2, return flows will be calculated as diversion less consumptive use. Industrial and municipal return flows will be assumed to return to the river during the month of diversion, unless otherwise determined in Task 2. The Consultant shall estimate agricultural return flow timing and location using data derived from existing studies, if available. Based on the information gathered in Task 2, generalized return flow patterns and timing will be estimated and applied as appropriate.

If diversion records are not available, the consumptive use determined in Task 2 will be used directly rather than estimating both diversions and return flows.

The Consultant shall develop three spreadsheets to simulate river flows within the basin for average, wet, and dry year conditions. Average streamflows will be calculated at each node beginning with the virgin flow at the headwater reaches. Diversions will be subtracted from the nodes and return flows added back in at the nodes, or, if no diversion records exist, depletions may simply be subtracted. The simple addition and subtraction will proceed sequentially downstream until the basin mouth is reached. The spreadsheets will take compact or decree restrictions into consideration.

3C. Surface Water Model Calibration

Each model will be calibrated by comparing the average simulated flows to average measured flows at key streamflow gages. Likewise, the simulated end-of-month reservoir contents will be compared to average measured end- of-month reservoir contents, where available. If necessary, the Consultant shall review and adjust any assumptions made during Task 2 and Task 3 until modeled and historical streamflows and reservoir contents match reasonably well. The Consultant shall prepare a memorandum that outlines the modeling process including data extension methodologies, modeling assumptions, and calibration results.

3D. Available Surface Water Determination

The Consultant shall execute the spreadsheet model to determine the available flows in the basin for average, wet, and dry year conditions. The Consultant shall prepare a memorandum that describes the results of the three model executions and outlines available flows in tributary and main Stem reaches.

3E. Available Groundwater Determination

The Consultant shall obtain existing information on aquifer locations, storage, yield potential, etc. The Consultant shall identify and document previous groundwater studies and planning documents and, if applicable, incorporate that information into this task. Coal Bed Methane development in the basin may have both positive and negative effects on the basin's short and long term groundwater and surface water supplies. The Consultant shall characterize this development and analyze its impacts. Groundwater modeling has been performed as part of the Coal Bed Methane Environmental Impact Statement. The Consultant shall utilize this effort to avoid duplication of effort. If necessary, the Consultant shall prepare a groundwater model(s) for appropriate areas and aquifers of the basin. The Consultant shall prepare a memorandum discussing the potential for additional aquifer storage and development and the potential effects, if any, that development might have on the groundwater and surface water systems.

Task 3. Deliverables

Tabular, Graphic, Spatial Data

  1. Basin hydrography
  2. Average annual precipitation
  3. Schematic of linked-node representation
  4. Spreadsheet modeling tools
  5. Aquifer locations
  6. Aquifer storage and yield potential

Memoranda

  1. Bibliography of previous groundwater studies
  2. Modeling process
  3. Model execution and available flows
  4. Aquifer storage and yield potential

Task 4. Demand Projections

4A. Review Socioeconomic, Economic, Demographic and other data sources

  1. Gather current and recent historical economic and demographic data for the study area.

  2. Where relevant for subsequent analysis and modeling -- gather data for the State of Wyoming and the U.S. as a whole.

  3. Examine and evaluate projections of economic and demographic change for the study area, the relevant counties, the State of Wyoming as a whole and, as relevant, for the U.S.

  4. In particular, examine both the Wyoming Population Forecasts and the Wyoming Economic Forecast Model, available through the State Data Center.

  5. Gather and evaluate available projections from the Wyoming Business Council, and other sources.

  6. Develop charts and tables summarizing current economic and demographic conditions in the study area, trends in key economic and demographic measures and key relationships.

4B. Identify Planning Scenarios

  1. Develop preliminary recommendations for baseline, moderate growth, and high growth planning scenarios.

  2. Review recommendations for consistency with the Northeast, Green, and Bear River Basin Plan economic consultants, or their products, and resolve or justify differences.

  3. Recommend three alternative planning scenarios (baseline, moderate and high growth) for approval by the WWDC.

4C. Define Methodology

  1. Define the methodology for developing water demand projections for the basin.

  2. Examine and evaluate the appropriateness of alternative economic modeling tools (e.g. input-output models and econometric models).

  3. Among the methodological issues to be determined in this subtask are:

    a. Basis for projected changes in basic sector activity and employment;
    b. Technique for linking basic employment to local service employment;
    c. Feasibility of cohort component demographic modeling versus simplified demographic approaches;
    d. Key assumptions (commuting patterns into and out of the basin, labor force participation rates, etc.);

  4. Develop preliminary recommendations regarding methodology and assumptions for water demand projections.

  5. Review recommendations for consistency with the Northeast, Green, and Bear River Basin Plan economic consultants, or their products, and resolve or justify differences.

  6. Make recommendations regarding methodology and key assumptions to the WWDC, along with a description of the basis for those recommendations.

4D. Construct and Calibrate Economic and Demographic Forecasting Model

  1. Construct and calibrate economic and demographic forecasting model(s).

  2. Conduct interviews with local sources as needed to better understand key industries and other economic and demographic aspects of the basin.

  3. Use the model to produce projections of economic activity and population under each of the three planning scenarios. The projections will incorporate a thirty-year horizon.

  4. Review the economic and demographic projections prior to developing related projections of water demand.

    4E. Project Water Demands

    1. Develop water demand projections under each of the three planning scenarios

    2. Incorporate water demand coefficients appropriate to each water use sector.

    3. Incorporate water requirements for recreation and environmental needs.

    4. Document the water demand projections in a task memorandum.

    5. Review the water demand projections with the Basin Advisory Group.

    4F. Consistency Reviews with other River Basin Plans

    1. Prepare for and participate in two Cheyenne meetings with the other River Basin Plan Consultants to compare and coordinate methodologies, models, and data developed during the course of the study.

    2. Offer and consider suggestions on how to keep the two basin studies consistent with each other, and with the Green and Bear River Basin Plans.

    Task 4. Deliverables

    Tabular, Graphic, Spatial Data

    1. None

    Memoranda

    1. Planning scenario recommendations
    2. Forecast methodology recommendation
    3. Forecasted agricultural, municipal, industrial, recreational, and environmental demands

Task 5. Future Water Use Opportunities

The Consultant shall use the current shortages and needs identified in Task 2, water availability identified in Task 3, projected future demands identified in the Task 4, and information generated through the Basin Advisory Group (BAG) meetings as a basis for this task. Both structural and non-structural potential future water use opportunities will be identified to meet current shortages and needs, as well as the Baseline, Moderate, and High levels of projected demand. Both surface water and groundwater sources will be considered. Future water use opportunities will be identified to satisfy projected agricultural, municipal, industrial, recreational, and environmental demands.

5A. Describe Issues Affecting Future Water Use Opportunities

The Consultant shall identify issues that may potentially restrict future water use opportunities in the basin. The issues include, but are not limited to, water quality issues, compact requirements, federal legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act, etc. The Consultant shall prepare memorandums that describe potential limitations to future water use due to these, and other issues.

5B. Define Water Use Components Screening Criteria

The Consultant shall develop evaluation criteria and methods for comparing and ranking alternative structural and non-structural components according to the following factors: water availability, technical, economic, environmental, legal and institutional, public acceptance, water quality, and ability to satisfy multiple demands. Defining the screening criteria prior to developing a long-list helps assure that the criteria are not biased towards any particular future water use opportunity. The criteria will be submitted to the BAG for review and to the WWDC for approval.

5C. Develop Long-list of Future Water Use Opportunities

The Consultant shall compile a list of potential structural and non-structural opportunities to meet current and projected demands. The long-list will include new and previously proposed projects in the basin, common solutions to water shortages applicable to the basin, opportunities identified by the BAG, and others. Structural components may include, but are not limited to storage reservoirs, conveyance system upgrades, water distribution system enhancements, groundwater development, aquifer storage and recovery opportunities, in-basin water transfer components, and trans-basin diversion components. Non-structural components may include, but are not limited to basin-wide conservation and management, revised reservoir operations, municipal conservation, improved farm efficiencies, water right transfers and exchanges, water banking, and conjunctive use options.

5D. Develop Short-list of Future Water Use Opportunities

The Consultant shall develop a short-list of future water use opportunities for review by the BAG and WWDC. The Consultant will use the results of the flow modeling spreadsheets to determine mainstem and tributary reaches with flow available for future use. Proposed opportunities that do not, in whole or in part, satisfy existing shortages or projected demands will be eliminated. Information such as land ownership, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, impaired stream segments, water quality issues, floodplain mapping, and cultural resources will be used to identify fatal flaws likely to restrict permitting of structural projects. Aquifer storage, groundwater quality, and yield potential will be used to identify fatal flaws associated with groundwater development and conjunctive use options. Much of the information used to identify fatal flaws is available in the Groundwater Vulnerability modeling done by the Department of Environmental Quality, and other spatial databases, and should be used to explain the results of this task.

5E. Apply Screening Criteria to Rank Short-list of Future Water Use Opportunities

The screening criteria approved by WWDC will be used to rank the short-list of future water use opportunities. The Consultant will determine the ranking using all screening factors. The Consultant will present this work to the BAG at one of their regular meetings, and the rankings and comments will be submitted to the WWDC for approval.

5F. Water Quality Issues

The Consultant shall identify basin-wide opportunities to enhance or protect water quality. The Consultant shall identify on-going watershed management planning by other entities, and define opportunities for cooperation and coordination among these efforts. State and Federal agencies and other appropriate entities will be contacted to identify areas within the basin where water quality issues are being investigated, including the Department of Environmental Quality, the State Engineer's Office, the Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, the Bureau of Land Management, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Monitoring locations and areas of concern identified by these sources will be shown on a GIS layer.

Task 5. Deliverables

Tabular, Graphic, Spatial Data

  1. Collection of existing GIS layers (cultural resources, endangered species, critical habitat, etc.) to identify fatal flaws.
  2. Mapping showing proposed future water use opportunity locations.

Memoranda

  1. Potential limitations to future water use
  2. Screening criteria
  3. Long-list of future water use opportunities
  4. Short-list of future water use opportunities
  5. Opportunities to enhance or protect water quality and cooperation opportunities

Task 6. Basin Advisory Group Discretionary Task

This task holds 15% of the total contract amount in reserve to address issues identified by the Basin Advisory Group. The Consultant shall not proceed with any work under this task until the WWDC and the Consultant execute a contract amendment defining the work to be completed.

Task 7. Basin Planning Report

On or before November 1, 2001, the Consultant shall submit to WWDC:

  1. Twenty-five (25) copies of the draft report presenting the results of this study;

  2. One project notebook as described in subsection C.2.b.;

  3. Digital copies of the above;

On or before December 15, 2001, after receipt and incorporation of WWDC review comments, the Consultant shall submit to WWDC:

  1. Fifty (50) stamped and signed copies of the final report;

  2. One (1) stamped and signed unbound reproducible original of the final report;

  3. Fifty (50) stamped and signed copies of the Executive Summary, to be no more than ten (10) pages in length;

  4. One (1) stamped and signed unbound reproducible original of the executive summary;

  5. Three (3) digital copies of the final report and executive summary;

  6. Three (3) digital copies of all related text files, database files, and GIS coverages; This information will comply with the format and standards set by WRDS for water planning information.

The Consultant may be asked to participate in public meetings, legislative hearings or WWDC meetings to present findings. The Consultant should budget for two (2) meetings after the submittal of the draft report, one in Cheyenne and one in the basin of interest.