DRAFT Water Plan Framework
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June 2017 DRAFT Water Plan Framework Humboldt County, Nevada Prepared by: Prepared for: Resource Concepts, Inc. Humboldt County Board 340 N. Minnesota Street of Commissioners th Carson City, NV 89703 50 West 5 Street 775 / 883-1600 Winnemucca, NV 89445 [This page intentionally left blank.] DRAFT Water Plan for Humboldt County June 2017 Table of Contents Page 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Preliminary Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Statutory Authority and Existing Plans .......................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Organization .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Water Plan Process ................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.0 Water Resource Background and Assessment................................................................................. 5 2.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Topography and Geology ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Climate and Precipitation ..................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.3 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.4 Land Management ................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.5 Infrastructure and Public Services ................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Water Resources .................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 Surface Water ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.2 Groundwater ............................................................................................................................................................. 21 2.2.3 Reuse/Recycling/ Conservation ....................................................................................................................... 32 3.0 Water Uses and Forecasts ..................................................................................................................... 35 3.1 Economy .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2 Population Trends ................................................................................................................................................. 34 3.3 Agriculture ................................................................................................................................................................ 36 3.3.1 Custom and Culture of Humboldt County Agriculture. 39 3.4 Mining and Milling ................................................................................................................................................. 41 3.5 Municipal and Domestic ...................................................................................................................................... 42 3.6 Industry ..................................................................................................................................................................... 44 3.7 Recreation/Tourism ............................................................................................................................................. 45 3.8 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................................................... 45 4.0 Water Resource Planning and Management ................................................................................... 47 4.1 Stakeholders and Agencies ................................................................................................................................ 47 4.2 Existing Management Plans .............................................................................................................................. 47 4.3 Issues and Opportunities .................................................................................................................................... 47 4.3.1 Water Supply and Allocation ............................................................................................................................ 48 4.3.2 Economic Development ........................................................................................................................................ 48 4.3.4 Hazard Reduction ........................................................................................................................................... 48 4.3.5 Water Quality ........................................................................................................................................................... 48 4.3.6 Education and Communication ................................................................................................................. 49 4.3.7 Financial Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 49 4.4 Legal Issues Concerning Interbasin Transfer of Water 50 4.4.1 Transfers Within Humboldt County 50 4.4.2 Transfers Outside of Humboldt County 50 5.0 County Water Planning Alternatives Approach, Policies, and Implementation ............... 58 5.1 Alternative Planning Approaches, and Preferred Approach ............................................................... 58 5.2 Water Plan Implementation .............................................................................................................................. 62 5.3 Water Planning Considerations and Opportunities ................................................................................ 63 Page i DRAFT Water Plan for Humboldt County June 2017 5.4 Water Plan Completition 64 6.0 References ................................................................................................................................................... 66 List of Tables (Pages are not correct for tables, figures, etc. - TL Table 2-1. Average Annual Precipitation and Temperature Across Humboldt County ............................ 9 Table 2-2. Land Management in Humboldt County ............................................................................................... 12 Table 2-3. Humboldt County Hydrographic Regions ............................................................................................. 14 Table 2-4. Surface Water Bodies with Water Quality Not Supporting Beneficial Use Standards ....... 17 Table 2-5. Summary of Surface Water Rights (AFA) in Humboldt County Basins .................................... 18 Table 2-6. Summary of Groundwater Rights (AFA) in Humboldt County, Supplementally Adjusted ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Table 2-7. Groundwater Manner of Use for Hydrographic Basins in Humboldt County ........................ 31 Table 3-1. Population in Humboldt County and Communities .......................................................................... 35 Table 3-2. Comparison of Population Projections in Humboldt County. ...................................................... 37 Table 3-3. Summary of Agriculture in Humboldt County in 2012 ................................................................... 37 Table 3-4. Water demand associated with expansion in irrigated crop area in Humboldt County, based on the total amount identified as being suitable for disposal by the BLM. ............................. 39 Table 3-5. Public Water Supply Systems and Population Served. .................................................................... 45 Table 3-6. Population and Domestic and Municipal Water Use Projections ............................................... 46 Table 4-1. Summary of Potential Water Stakeholders in Humboldt County ............................................... 54 Table 4-2. Existing Land and Resource Management Plans in Humboldt County ..................................... 55 Table 4-3. Issues and Opportunities to Consider in Water Planning .............................................................