2019 Annual Report

of the

UINTAH WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

VERNAL, UTAH

63rd ANNUAL REPORT

Annual Meeting Date – May 12, 2020

This annual report of the Uintah Water Conservancy District (District) is prepared to comply with the Water Conservancy Act, Utah Code Annotated, 1953, as amended (17A-2). This section of the Act provides, "A report of the business transacted during the preceding year by the Uintah Water Conservancy District, including a financial report prepared by certified public accountants, shall be filed with the Clerk of the District Court." This report, the 63rd Annual Report, is also presented for consideration by the Board of Trustees of the District at their annual meeting on May 12, 2020.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The following individuals were members of the Board of Trustees at the District’s Annual Meeting held April 9, 2019:

District Name Term Ends #1 Tyson Murray January 1, 2020 #2 Dean Baker January 1, 2020 #3 Quentin R. Johnson January 1, 2022 #4 Greg Witbeck January 1, 2020 #5 Herb Snyder January 1, 2022 #6 Todd Thacker January 1, 2022 #7 Shane Frost January 1, 2022

During the Annual Meeting, Todd Thacker was elected Chairman, Quentin Johnson - 1st Vice Chairman, and Greg Witbeck - 2nd Vice Chairman. William Merkley was approved as District Secretary/Treasurer with Mary Searle as District Clerk.

The District would like to acknowledge the passing of Vernon Richens who faithfully represented District 7 for nearly nineteen years, having received his first appointment in April 2000. Vernon died on March 17, 2019. He was seventy-six years old. Vernon worked tirelessly in support of the Westside Combined Canal Project, the Green River Pumping Plant, and will always be remembered as a friend of the District.

FINANCIAL

The firm of Aycock, Miles & Associates was selected to audit the District’s yearly finances. Their report was presented to the Board of Trustees at the District’s Annual Meeting on April 9, 2019.

On August 9, 2019, the District made an annual payment of $30,000 to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the irrigation repayment obligation of the 1992 Safety of Dams Work on Steinaker Dam contract. This work, dynamic compaction and an overlying stability berm on the downstream toe, was accomplished to lessen the risk of catastrophic dam failure in the event of a severe earthquake.

The District made an annual payment of $14,282.61 for the Jensen Unit irrigation repayment obligation on January 24, 2020. Also, on this same day, the District made an annual payment of $226,585 for the Jensen Unit M&I repayment obligation. Both payments were issued to Reclamation according to provisions of the Jensen Unit Central Utah Project Amendatory Repayment Contract.

The amended budget for calendar year 2019, as approved by the Board of Trustees at the December 9, 2019, budget hearing, was $9,692,845.

Revenues to fund the budget were by municipal, industrial and irrigation contracts, Jensen Unit O&M at $1.50/share for irrigation and $5.00/share for M&I, Vernal Unit O&M at $4.42/share for irrigation and $6.50/share for M&I, and a general tax obligation rate of 0.000495 which

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provided total tax revenue of $2,051,314. During 2019, the District operated within the limits of the approved budget.

VERNAL UNIT, CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT

The year 2019 began with above average water supply forecasts. Fears of rapid snowmelt and potential flooding were mitigated by cool spring temperatures that persisted well into May. Above average spring precipitation (approximately 3-4” in some areas) allowed many to put up their first cutting of alfalfa without supplemental irrigation.

Storage in Steinaker Reservoir totaled 0 AF on January 1 with 0 CFS being diverted into the reservoir from Ashley Creek. On April 1, due to ongoing reconstruction of Steinaker Dam, the reservoir remained empty.

Diversions into Steinaker Reservoir varied from 0 to 316 CFS during the year. The reservoir reached its seasonal peak on July 8 with active storage of 3876 AF. On October 31, reservoir storage was 1244 AF. On December 31, Steinaker Reservoir held 4747 AF.

The Board of Trustees set the 2019 irrigation allotment at 0.1 acre-foot per share. Deliveries through the Steinaker Service Canal started on June 18, with continual deliveries through September 30.

During the irrigation season, a total of 9743.5 AF was delivered through the Steinaker Service Canal as direct project water deliveries or by exchange for Ashley Creek primary rights or Ashley Valley Reservoir stock. Additionally, 160 AF of Vernal Unit M&I water was delivered, by exchange, to local municipalities.

During 2019, the following Vernal Unit project irrigation water deliveries were made to canal companies under existing contracts. Project water was charged beginning July 6.

Used Holdover Pumped from Holdover in Canal (AF) Used Red Fleet 2019 (AF)

Highline Canal 175.01 0 0 0 Ashley Upper Canal &Alta Ditch 1003.20 0 0 0 Colton Ditch 0 0 0 0 Rock Point Canal 18.57 0 0 0 Island Ditch 133.75 0 0 0 Ashley Central & Hardy Ditch 654.50 0 0 0 Dodds Ditch 0 0 0 0

Total 1985.03 0 0 0

District employees are in the process of doing routine maintenance on all project facilities in preparation for the 2020 storage and delivery season.

A slope failure was observed on the upstream face of Steinaker Dam by a fisherman during the afternoon of Tuesday, September 23, 2014. The fisherman notified UWCD of his observations

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at approximately 2:00 p.m. that same day. UWCD subsequently notified Reclamation’s Provo Area Office with incident details. UWCD staff continued monitoring the site while they awaited arrival of Reclamation personnel. Reclamation engineers and UWCD staff inspected the site at about 11 p.m. on September 23 and determined it prudent to shut off inflows to the reservoir.

A follow-up examination of the site the next morning indicated that the slope failure appeared to be between 300 and 500 feet long and 30 feet tall. In addition, examiners also inspected the dam’s remaining upstream face, crest, and downstream face, as well as the spillway channel and outlet works conduit. No anomalies or unusual conditions were observed outside of the slope failure area. The decision to declare Response Level 1 for Steinaker Dam was made at approximately 10:00 a.m. by Wayne Pullan (Reclamation Area Manager) and Gawain Snow and the Steinaker Dam Emergency Plan was activated. Appropriate notifications were made to local emergency managers at that time.

Several follow-up investigations took place after the initial response including a dive examination to inspect the submerged areas of the dam and outlet works. After a risk analysis, storing water in Steinaker Reservoir commenced again on October 10 with restrictions and increased monitoring by UWCD staff.

After the incident, Reclamation’s Safety of Dams Program was initiated, and Reclamation and District staff started working through the Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) process. At the conclusion of the SEED, the decision was made to commence a Safety of Dams Corrective Action Study. Steinaker Dam and Reservoir remained under restrictions and increased monitoring by UWCD staff.

UWCD staff worked extensively with Reclamation providing information and staying involved to help advance the Corrective Action Study. Reclamation submitted the Steinaker Dam Modification Report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 15, 2017, for review. After stalling at OMB for several months, the Modification Report was released to Congress for their consideration and approval.

Having then received congressional approval, and with the District’s Board of Trustees passing a resolution to accept the terms of a repayment contract with the United States, Reclamation was permitted to solicit construction bids and select a contractor. The contract was awarded to Weeminuche Construction Authority of Towaoc, Colorado. Weeminuche immediately began mobilizing equipment and other resources and began earthwork in July 2018. Existing materials at the repair location were removed and stockpiled. At the end of the irrigation season, large pumps were brought on-site to draw down the reservoir below the construction elevation of the outlet works extension. To protect the exposed sandstone bedrock on the dam abutment, a coating of shotcrete was applied. As colder weather settled in, and earthwork was no longer possible, Weeminuche continued to pour concrete, encasing the steel pipe extension of the outlet works. Blankets and heaters were used to properly cure the concrete. Work also continued at the Ouray Gravel Pit to crush and stockpile materials for the repair.

During their annual inspection of Steinaker Dam, Reclamation discovered that the guard and regulating gates, and the associated hydraulic system, needed repair. It was recommended that these repairs take place in an expedited manner because the reservoir was now empty. Sensing the

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urgency of the situation, the District signed a Technical Service Agreement with Reclamation to move forward with the repairs.

As the weather warmed in the spring of 2019, full-scale embankment modifications resumed. Both contractors and Reclamation inspectors pushed to meet an internal deadline to have reconstruction complete to elevation 5460 by June 1. This elevation would allow the reservoir dead pool to be filled and pass-through deliveries of irrigation water made. Due to some delays with the gate modifications, water began passing through the reservoir on June 18. Work continued uninterrupted and the project was substantially complete in September. The District would like to thank Weeminuche Construction Authority and Reclamation for their efforts. The project was completed ahead of schedule and for a cost well below what was originally anticipated. District staff are now filling Steinaker Reservoir with winter flows from Ashley Creek. Because of First-Fill restrictions and seasonal water deliveries, it is anticipated that the reservoir will be filled to capacity in 2021.

JENSEN UNIT, CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT

Since Reclamation assigned full operation and maintenance responsibilities to the District in October 1988, the District has continued to successfully operate Red Fleet Reservoir, Tyzack Pumping Plant, and Tyzack Aqueduct Reaches I, II, and III.

All instrument readings, including inclinometer tests, are monitored by District personnel on a regular basis as outlined in operational criteria provided by Reclamation.

Active storage in Red Fleet Reservoir reached its peak on June 22 at elevation 5608.16 with 25,974 AF. At that time, demand for irrigation and M&I deliveries started lowering the reservoir.

Peak flow of Brush Creek occurred on June 5 when a flow of 235 CFS was measured at the USGS stream gauging station above Red Fleet Reservoir.

Project irrigation water releases began on April 19 and continued through October 9. At that time, the reservoir leveled to an elevation of 5591.82 with 9,183.02 AF of active storage. Brush Creek flows were released for the balance of the year averaging 2.5 CFS through November and December. Elevation on December 31, 2019, was 5595.74 or 20,063 AF.

The District delivered a total of 2956.6 AF of Jensen Unit irrigation project water during 2019 to petitioners along Brush Creek and in the Jensen area. Additionally, a total of 1328 AF was released as operational spills during the winter months and 602 AF to Stewart Lake.

During 2019, there was 2,345.15 AF of Jensen Unit M&I water delivered to the Ashley Valley Water Purification Plant via the Tyzack Aqueduct. Additionally, 400 AF of M&I water was delivered through the Simplot wells north of Vernal.

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JENSEN UNIT AMENDATORY REPAYMENT CONTRACT

The Jensen Unit Amendatory Repayment Contract, as adopted by the Uintah Water Conservancy District Board of Trustees on July 27, 1988, was approved by Congress and signed by President George H. W. Bush during the latter part of 1992. Given this congressional authority, the Upper Colorado Regional Director, Roland Robinson, signed Amendatory Repayment Contract No. 6-05-02-00143 on December 30, 1992. The District made the 28th of 49 annual payments on January 24, 2020, in the amount of $226,585, for M&I Block Notice 1 (2000 AF).

ASHLEY VALLEY WATER PURIFICATION PLANT

Processing of raw water from both Ashley Springs and Red Fleet Reservoir to meet stringent drinking water standards continued at the Ashley Valley Water Purification Plant. This water treatment facility is owned and operated by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and began operations December 19, 1985.

A total of 3969.64 AF of M&I water was processed during 2019. Of this, 1314.08 AF came from Red Fleet Reservoir as Jensen Unit M&I project water, 991.82 AF came from Steinaker Reservoir as Vernal Unit M&I project water, and 1603.74 AF was non-project water represented by Ashley Valley Reservoir Company stock and Ashley Creek decreed flow rights held by Vernal City.

CLOUD SEEDING

In 2002, the District, in cooperation with Duchesne Water Conservancy District, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and the State of Utah, entered into an agreement with North American Weather Consultants to provide cloud seeding along the south and north slopes of the Uinta Mountains to augment seasonal snowpack. The estimate was that the snowpack could increase by as much as 10% through this effort. This was continued in 2019.

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT

Training and/or conferences attended by various Trustees and employees of the District included the Utah Water Users Annual Workshop, UASD Annual Convention, Utah Water Summit, AWWA Intermountain Section Annual Conference, NWRA Annual Conference, CRWUA Annual Conference, and several meetings of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. The District also helped to plan and sponsor the annual Uinta Basin Water Conference in which the District made a presentation on its activities.

The Board of Trustees approved a $350 sponsorship fee to the Utah Water Summit. They also approved a $200 contribution to the Uintah County Farm Bureau to assist in the Farm Field Day presentation held each spring for Uintah County School District 4th grade classes. John Hunting has represented the District at this event for many years and enjoys teaching the students about water conservation.

Through Reclamation’s WaterSMART program, the District received $300,000 to assist water users on the westside of Uintah County to replace a bifurcation structure on the Uinta River.

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The participating stakeholders will pay the balance of the design and construction costs. As the project area is within the boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation, consultation with Tribal leaders is ongoing. It is anticipated that construction will begin late summer 2020.

The District received a grant of $7,385,500 from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This grant will provide funding for the Steinaker Service Canal Enclosure Project Reach II and several other projects in Uintah County. The contract was finalized in 2017. Before funds can be released, a watershed plan and environmental assessment is needed for all participating projects. After some internal complications, the NRCS requested that the District hire an engineering firm to complete the watershed plan. A selection committee chose the combined proposal of Jones & DeMille Engineering and Sunrise Engineering. It is anticipated that their report will be finalized toward the end of 2020.

Early in 2019, the District accepted an invitation by Utah State University to help sponsor a research farm developed on their Vernal campus. The research farm, one of three locations throughout the state, will test variations of irrigation methods, cropping mixes and patterns. The District was awarded $50,000 from Reclamation’s WaterSMART program under the category of Water Conservation Field Services. This will be used to help purchase a new lateral move irrigation system.

PROJECTS

Green River Pumping Plant (GRPP)

This project involves pumping water from the Green River. This will supply supplemental water to lands in the Cottonwood and Brough service areas of Ouray Park Irrigation Company as well as to lands serviced by the Uinta River Irrigation Company and Whiterocks Irrigation Company. By pumping water from the Green River to the Cottonwood service area, the water stored in Cottonwood Reservoir could then be used on lands in the Brough service area and the Uinta River Irrigation service area. The total supplemental water provided is estimated to be 10,000 AF. With a pump station designed at a capacity of 50 CFS, and a pipeline designed for 60 CFS, it would be possible to pump 27,000 AF over a nine-month period. The water not used in the Cottonwood service area would be available to exchange upstream. Additional upstream storage will need to be constructed in order to take full advantage of this capacity. The benefits of this project include increasing the water supply to those who will be served directly by the new water source. Additional benefits include the development of Utah’s share of Upper Colorado River water and economic development in the Uintah Basin based on agricultural expansion and stabilization. A funding application was prepared for consideration by the Utah Board of Water Resources and was approved in its May 2009 meeting. In June 2009, the Utah Board of Water Resources committed $4,450,000 to the GRPP, and in August 2009, the District Bonded for $5,550,000 to build the GRPP and other projects. Beginning May 2012, the pumps were operated and, in 2013, provided 4,822.21 AF of supplemental water to the agricultural areas in Ouray, Gusher, and Whiterocks according to exchange agreements.

After operating the GRPP for three years, the need for additional water to the Leota bench area was recognized to make exchanges equal to all shareholders. In their regular Board meeting,

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held June 23, 2014, the Board of Trustees awarded a contract to Mesquite Contractors for the construction of a pumping station at the Valley View Pond and a 18” HDPE pipeline to connect into existing distribution pipelines to address this need. The project was constructed and operational September 1, 2014.

At the regular September 8, 2015, Board meeting, David Robertson, District Financial Advisor was instructed to investigate possible Refunding of the GRPP Bonds. Working with David, bond counsel, and District legal counsel, the bonds were successfully refunded on December 9, 2015, saving the District and the water petitioners $45,000 per year for 10 years.

400 acre-feet of Green River water was delivered to the system in 2019.

Green River Block Water Exchange

In 1956, Congress passed the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Act which authorized construction, operation and maintenance of Flaming Gorge, Glen Canyon, Navajo and Curecanti dams, along with the Central Utah and other participating projects.

The CRSP was put into place for the purposes of, among other things, making it possible for the states of the Colorado River Upper Basin, including the State of Utah, to utilize their apportionments of water under the 1922 Colorado River Compact and the 1948 Upper Colorado River Basin Compact (collectively Compacts).

The Flaming Gorge unit is located on the Green River in the State of Utah and impounds Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which lies within the states of Utah and Wyoming. Flaming Gorge Dam is located on the upper mainstem of the Green River in northeastern Utah.

Below Flaming Gorge Dam, the Green River supports populations of four endangered native fishes. The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program (Recovery Program) was established in 1988 under an agreement signed by Reclamation and the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to recover the endangered fishes while allowing for continued water development in the Upper Basin.

In 1959, Utah granted a portion of its water right to the Bureau of Reclamation to facilitate construction of the Central Utah Project (CUP). However, in 1992, Congress de-authorized construction of the CUP Ultimate Phase. As a result, in 1996, Reclamation formally assigned the water right previously associated with the CUP Ultimate Phase back to Utah.

In its August 2002 meeting, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) agreed to participate with the Uintah Water Conservancy District (UWCD), Duchesne County Water Conservancy District (DCWCD) and other interested parties to develop a plan for congressional consideration and funding. CUWCD, UWCD and DCWCD cooperated with CH2M Hill to complete an M&I study for all of Duchesne County and western Uintah County. Results of the M&I study and proposed dam sites were prepared and used to approach CUWCD for assistance in moving forward with the project. A study by CH2M Hill was completed in 2007 funded equally by CUWCD, DCWCD and UWCD. A request was made to the Utah Board of

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Water Resources in November of 2006 and again in December of 2007 to assign 51,600 AF of water from the Green River permanently to UWCD. The Board of Water Resources determined in its December 2008 meeting that the original 51,600 AF of water that the District applied for, along with the original depletion right, would be turned over permanently to the District. Using this plan, we applied for a 50-year extension with the State Water Rights Engineer which has been awarded. The District continues to depend on this plan to assist energy development in Uintah County.

On March 20, 2019, representatives from Reclamation and the State of Utah signed the Green River Water Rights Exchange contract. “Under the terms of the contract, the state agrees to forbear its right to deplete water from the Green River and its tributaries, enabling Reclamation to meet Endangered Species Act flow requirements. In exchange, the state of Utah will receive an equal amount of water released from Flaming Gorge Dam. The contact provides assistance in meeting flow and temperature requirements for the recovery of endangered fish and allows Reclamation to continue operations in compliance with the 2006 Record of Decision. This agreement is specific to the Green River Block of the state’s previously-assigned Central Utah Project Ultimate Phase water right. It is not related to the state’s proposed Lake Powell Pipeline project. The contract between Reclamation and the state of Utah permits the state to put a portion of their water right to beneficial use and provides a more reliable water source for Utah during dry years, while avoiding the need to construct costly new water storage facilities.” See https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=65203

Steinaker Service Canal Enclosure Project

In 2012, the Board awarded Bowen Collins & Associates a contract to prepare the Vernal Unit Efficiency Project Conceptual Design Report. The purpose of the study was to identify ways to increase water delivery efficiencies and provide cost estimates for the various alternatives.

In 2013, working with and through the Utah Division of Water Resources, the District received a grant of $4.6 million from Reclamation’s Upper Basin States Funds to enclose 3.3 miles of the lower end of the Steinaker Service Canal (Reach I). Bowen Collins & Associates was awarded the contract to design Reaches I and II and to provide the needed Environmental Assessment for Reclamation to approve and sign. In the February 9, 2016, regular Board meeting, the Board of Trustees accepted the bid by W. W. Clyde in the amount of $3,368,000 for the installation of materials for Reach I. Materials began arriving in August and construction began in September continuing through fall and winter and into the spring. Construction was somewhat delayed due to the wet spring; however, substantial completion was in time for the successful operation in early May with final completion in August.

The District continues to pursue funding opportunities to enable completion of Reaches II and III. It is anticipated that construction of Reach II will begin in Fall of 2021.

Rock Point and Ashley Upper and Highline Canal Rehabilitation Projects

In 2008, Uintah County leaders commissioned a study to research alternatives and suggest potential projects for flood control in Ashley Valley. Housing developments have encroached in historic flood zones leading to property damage during severe storm events. Because of the overall

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expense to implement all the recommended flood control measures, the County chose to focus on a few high priority areas. In cooperation with piping projects on the Rock Point, Highline and Ashley Upper canals, the County pursued funds to purchase the soon-to-be-abandoned canal channels for flood control. Application was made to the Community Impact Board (CIB) and an award of $8,179,251 grant and $2,727,000 loan was given. Because of hesitation from County leaders to take on additional debt, a request was made to the District to sponsor the project. After filing a new application with CIB, the District was awarded the same monies with the same terms as before. The grant money will be used to lease the canal easements from the Rock Point, Highline and Ashley Upper irrigation companies. The County will then sub-lease the canal easements and assume operation and maintenance responsibilities. The District bonded for repayment of the loan portion and will cover yearly obligations from revenues received. The District has also accepted a management role in the Ashley Upper and Highline Canals Rehabilitation Project to facilitate communication and reporting between Reclamation (who is providing salinity funding) and the project.

Tyzack Pump Station

The Tyzack Pump Station has been successfully but moderately used for 30 years. In 2013, the Board of Trustees felt it was important that the District review the condition of the pumping plant. After an investigation by engineers, it was found that overall the station was in good condition, however, it was suggested that we consider doing some routine maintenance items: 1) have the electrical tested and adjusted; 2) have pumps, motors and valves refurbished; and 3) the surge tank and other pressurized vessels should be inspected and tested. The Board of Trustees approved these actions, and, in the fall of 2013, staff pulled valves, a pump and a motor. They were then sent to be refurbished and arrangements were made for the other items to be completed early in 2014. The District continues to have valves, pumps and motors refurbished. The air compressor for the surge tank has also been replaced and upgraded.

In the regular Board meeting held October 13, 2015, the Board of Trustees awarded to Ridgeline Development a contract to enclose the surge tank which will allow for the operation of the pump station in cold weather conditions. The project was completed in Spring 2015. The use of additional MOA funds was approved in December 2016 for repair and replacement of the toe drains and other needed repairs at Red Fleet. The District is coordinating with Reclamation to move needed repairs forward.

Purchase of 3,300 AF of M&I Water from Red Fleet

The District has been working with local agencies to purchase the remaining 3,300 AF of M&I water from Red Fleet. The agencies have committed for additional water as follows: SF Phosphate – 300 AF, Vernal City - 840 AF, Ashley Valley Water and Sewer – 1,120 AF, Maeser Water – 560 AF, Jensen Water – 361 AF, and Uintah County – 119 AF.

During 2012, the District worked with Reclamation to schedule pre-payment of the M&I costs associated with the Jensen Unit. However, this would have locked in the obligation to repay all the associated cost in 10 years. Working with Reclamation, we discovered that M&I obligations could be paid with an advanced payment provision within Reclamation law. Under this provision, the District made application to the CIB for $14,230,000 to acquire 3,000 additional AF of M&I

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water. The application was approved in the form of half grant/half loan for 30 years at 1.5% interest. Reclamation issued Jensen Unit Block Notice 2 and approved Third Party Petitions were signed with the additional 3000 AF purchased in December of 2014.

With issuance of Block Notice 2, J.R. Simplot Company was by contract obligated to take an additional 200 AF of Jensen Unit M&I water. Reclamation issued Jensen Unit Block Notice 3 with repayment beginning January 2016. Payment was made to the Reclamation January 11, 2019, in the amount of $50,466.

Red Fleet Ground Water

In November 2015, UWCD entered into a cooperative agreement with USGS and Reclamation to investigate ground water resources at Red Fleet Reservoir for possible future development. The District’s obligation would be $23,700 for two years. In addition to the payment of $18,000 made in 2016, a payment of $6,000 was made January 27, 2017, and a payment of $23,400 was made August 8, 2017. USGS and Reclamation conducted investigations thru 2016 and 2017, and USGS compiled the data. The final report was presented to the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting held on November 12, 2019.

Burns Bench Pump Station

This project is the final phase of the Jensen Unit and consists of locating a pump station on the Green River upstream from Jensen and providing all of the irrigation water in the Jensen area from the Green River. Direct flow rights as well as storage rights in Red Fleet owned by those irrigators would then be kept in Red Fleet Reservoir as M&I water to be pumped to the Vernal area. It is important that the District complete this phase of the Jensen Unit, not only to preserve the additional 12,000 AF of water, but to ensure that all 18,000 AF of M&I water has been developed and is available prior to any final cost allocation being conducted by Reclamation. The District is developing a scope of work and a preliminary design. With the acquisition of the additional 3,300 AF of M&I water out of Red Fleet, the next Block of M&I will need to come from the Burns Bench Pump Station.

Water Measurement and SCADA System Upgrade Project

In May 2010, the District applied for and received a $300,000 grant from Reclamation under the WaterSMART program to increase water delivery efficiencies. The primary focus of the project is water conservation; however, water banks are included in the project to create an incentive for water conservation. The water measurement and automation portion of the project will increase the amount and accessibility of flow data throughout the District. The SCADA system upgrade will allow new data and existing data from several other systems to be combined into one District-wide system.

The $300,000 grant was matched with funds from the District, Ashley Valley Canal Companies, Brush Creek Water Users, technical assistance from Central Utah Water Conservancy District and water modeling from Utah Division of Water Resources.

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The SCADA system is installed and functioning; however, we find that there is a need for continual upgrading of meters and communications sites.

District Water Master Plan

Initial steps were taken in 2019 to prepare a comprehensive planning document, Demand, Supply and Major Conveyance Study, or District Water Master Plan. The Request for Statement of Qualifications listed the following objectives:

1. Project future water demands for 2030, 2060, and ultimate buildout for the District service area that accounts for possible water use within the County for both municipal and industrial use and for irrigation use.

2. Evaluate existing and future water sources and supply alternatives and the effects of contracts and commitments that the District has made for water supplies and deliveries.

3. Perform cursory condition assessment of District facilities to identify actions or projects that will extend the life of or replace aging infrastructure

4. Evaluate existing and future operating conditions to identify and prioritize projects that are needed to convey needed water to customers and water users.

5. Prepare a water conservation plan for submittal to the State of Utah.

6. Evaluate the District’s revenues and ability to meet it future needs, both for new projects and for the rehabilitation and replacement of existing infrastructure.

7. Develop needed rates for both municipal and agricultural deliveries.

8. Prepare a comprehensive report that will document the findings and recommendations of the study.

After a competitive process, Bowen Collins & Associates was selected to prepare the plan. The District is actively sharing operational data, system design plans, financial information, and all items requested by Mike Collins and his team. The District Water Master Plan should be complete by July 2020.

District Website Redesign

The District’s website has been partially developed and underutilized for some time. In 2019, the Board of Trustees authorized the advertisement for professional services to redesign the District website. After a competitive process, CivicPlus was chosen. This company specializes in website development for municipalities and other governmental entities. District personnel continue to collaborate with CivicPlus designers to develop the District’s web presence. To view the new website, please visit UintahWater.Org.

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