University of Colorado Law School Colorado Law Scholarly Commons
Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry 2009 (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5)
6-4-2009
SLIDES: Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA): Third Intake into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project
Kay Brothers
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Citation Information Brothers, Kay, "SLIDES: Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA): Third Intake into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project" (2009). Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5). https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/western-water-law-policy-and-management/7
Reproduced with permission of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment (formerly the Natural Resources Law Center) at the University of Colorado Law School. Status of Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)
Third Intake Into Lake Mead and Groundwater Project
Kay Brothers, Deputy General Manager
Southern Nevada Water Authority Colorado River Overview
Colorado River Basin • ~15 mafy average runoff • 60 maf of storage
• The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation serves as water master Colorado River Overview
Population Comparison, 1922
The Colorado River 4,000,000 was allocated in 1922.
• The Upper and Lower 3,000,000 basins were each
allocated 7.5 mafy. 2,000,000
• At that time, uses were relatively comparable. 1,000,000
0 Upper Lower Basin Basin Colorado River Overview
Population Comparison, 1922
4,000,000 California ~3.4 million
The Lower Basin 3,000,000 allocated its Colorado
River water to the states 2,000,000 based on population and agricultural potential. 1,000,000
Arizona ~334,000 Nevada ~77,000 0 Lower Basin States Colorado River Overview
Nevada receives 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually; resources are diverted through facilities at Lake Mead.
Colorado: 3.9 million Nevada: 300,000
Wyoming: 1 million
Arizona: 2.85 million New Mexico: 850,000
Utah: 1.7 million California: 4.4 million Colorado River Overview
50,000,000 Population in the 1920 Population Lower Basin has Current Population 40,000,000 grown substantially
since the 1920s. 30,000,000
Significant growth 20,000,000 occurred in Southern Nevada. 10,000,000
0 Upper Basin Lower Basin Changes in Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada has reached a population over 2,000,000.
2,000,000
1,000,000
0 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008 Changes in Southern Nevada
Water demands shifted from “no projected use of Colorado River” to heavily reliance.
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000 Acre-feet per year per Acre-feet
200,000 Colorado River
100,000 Spring Flow Groundwater 0 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Changes in Southern Nevada
In the 1990’s Southern Nevada hit a crisis point: additional water was needed to meet growing demands.
Population
1950 – 47,000
1960 – 116,000
1970 – 270,000
1980 – 444,000
1990 – 800,000 Changes in Southern Nevada
• Competition for Colorado River water • Water agencies were operating independently – no coordination of resources, demands, etc. • Each agency was negotiating its own best deal for future supplies with the Colorado River Commission – “every-man-for-himself.”
• No coordinated conservation plan • There was no incentive to save water - agencies were allocated water based on the prior year’s use – the more they used, the more they got.
• If an agency used less than its allocated amount, its water share was reduced accordingly. Changes in Southern Nevada
The Southern Nevada Water Authority was formed in 1991 to address Southern Nevada’s unique water needs on a regional basis
City of Henderson (1) Big Bend Water District (1) City of North Las Vegas (1) Clark County Southern Nevada Water Authority Water Rec. District (1) Board of Directors City of Las Vegas (1) (seven members, one from each agency) Las Vegas Valley City of Water District (1) Boulder City (1)
Each agency, regardless of size, has an equal voice and tackled issues collaboratively for the benefit of the whole. Changes in Southern Nevada
• The SNWA provides regional coordination of water resources – Secure new water resources – Maximize existing water resources – Build and operate regional water facilities – Promote conservation Changes in Southern Nevada
Paradigm Shift / mid 1990s • Changed from a water accounting process to a water management process
• Utilize temporary and permanent supplies
• Create a portfolio of resource options to meet future needs
• Manage water supplies through a water resource plan that is reviewed annually and amended as necessary Changes in Southern Nevada
In the meantime, the region continued to expand…
1990 – 800,000 2000 – 1,300,000
… and drought struck the Colorado River with force. Colorado River Drought
The recent 9-year historical average inflow to the Colorado River system was 66% of normal.
120% 105% 102% 100% Normal 73% 80% 68% 62% 59% 60% 53% 51%
40% 25% 20%
0% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
66% of normal Colorado River Drought
Lake Mead storage has been reduced by half.
Lake Powell Storage Lake Mead Storage 30,000 30,000
25,000 25,000 96% 20,000 20,000 88% 15,000 15,000
1,000’s of acre-feet 10,000 10,000 49% 1,000’s of acre-feet 55% 5,000 5,000 Capacity
Storage 0 Jan. 2000 Jan. 2009 Jan. 2000 Jan. 2009 Colorado River Drought
Other Water Resources, 10%
Southern Nevada depends on the Colorado River to meet 90% of its water resource needs.
Colorado River, 90%
Image: Fishing Dock at Lake Mead, mid-2000s Colorado River Drought
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead1983 Hoover Dam, Lake Mead 2009 Colorado River Drought
Lake Mead water levels have dropped to record lows.
These conditions have and will continue to drive a number of water management decisions.
5 Drought Impacts
The SNWA could lose facility and supply access if drought conditions continue.
1,200 Shortage 1,150
1,100 69% of Average Runoff Current Elevation: 1,112 ft. SNWA Intake No. 1 1,050
SNWA Intake No. 2 and 3 1,000
Lake Mead Elevation, in above MSL feet 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 1212 Lake elevation 1145 Lake elevation Inner Las Vegas Bay
LM 4
LM 5
Las Vegas Bay
Boulder Basin
Saddle Elevation Elevation Island Percent Modeled Lake Diffusion Area 1212 1145 change Monitoring Station Boulder Basin 7.248 5.510 24.0%
Las Vegas Bay 0.971 0.530 45.4%
Inner Las Vegas Bay 0.018 0.002 87.9%
TOTALS 8.24 6.042 26.6%
* Units are millions Acre Feet Hoover Dam 1200 Feet
Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay
Las Vegas Bay
Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes)
Boulder Islands Promontory Point
1200 ft. Hoover Dam 1100 Feet
Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay
Las Vegas Bay
Volumes in acre/feet Boulder Basin—4,546,728 Las Vegas Bay—346,747 Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes)
Boulder Islands Promontory Point
1100 ft. Hoover Dam 1060 Feet
Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay
Las Vegas Bay
Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes)
Boulder Islands Promontory Point
1060 ft. Hoover Dam 1000 Feet
Las Vegas Wash Callville Bay
Las Vegas Bay
Volumes in acre/feet Boulder Basin—2,670,555 Las Vegas Bay—100,554 Saddle Island (SNWA Intakes)
Boulder Islands Promontory Point
1000 ft. Hoover Dam SNWA Response
Conservation was Southern Nevada’s first response to drought.
2003: Implemented drought plan 2004: Realized goal of 25% conservation 2005: Adopted a new conservation goal 2008: Realized conservation goal of 250 GPCD 2009: Adopted a new conservation goal (199 GPCD by 2035)
Southern Nevada's annual water consumption decreased by nearly 21 billion gallons between 2002 and 2008, despite a population increase of 400,000 during that span.
6 SNWA Response
Southern Nevada has one of the most aggressive conservation programs in the Nation.
• Time of day and day of week watering restrictions • Landscape development codes • Golf course water budgets • Water waste restrictions & penalties • Water Smart Landscapes Program • Water Efficient Technologies Program • Pool Cover Rebate program • Water Smart Home Program • Irrigation Clock Rebate program • Water Smart Car Wash Program • Water Smart Contractor Program • H20 University • Demonstration Gardens
But, Conservation alone will not protect Southern Nevada from drought. SNWA Response
Lake Mead could decline below SNWA’s upper intake by as early as 2013 if drought conditions persist (69% runoff).
Further lake level declines could impact our ability to access Colorado River resources altogether. 1,050’
INTAKE NO. 1 1,000’
INTAKE NO. 2
INTAKE NO. 3 (2013)
Intake operating depth illustrated – modifications not shown. SNWA Response
Intake Tunnel Intake Shaft
Saddle Water Access Island Shaft Treatment Pumping Station Facility e ipelin arge P Disch Intake No. 2 Connection SNWA Response
Existing Intake Features Proposed Intake No. 3 Features March 2009 Concept To RMWTF Lake Mead IPS-2 IPS-2 Connection Elev. 1000’ and Modifications IPS-2 Riser Plug Forebay IPS-2 Isolation Gate To AMSWTF h Elev. 1050’ IPS-1 rt No (1,000) Forebay Boulder Interconnection Harbor Saddle To AMSWTF Island IPS-3 Elev. 860 Forebay Saddle Island
~ 3 miles SNWA Response
Project Timeline Current Projects (advertised or awarded costs)
Project Cost Completion Date
Intake No. 3 Shafts and Tunnel $447 mil 2012
Intake No. 2 Connection/Modifications $30 mil 2010
Intake No. 3 Connector Tunnel $50 mil (est) 2012
Future Projects (scope, cost and schedule to be evaluated)
Project Cost Completion Date
Intake No. 3 Pumping Station $160 mil (est) TBD
Quagga Control System $25 mil (est) TBD
Substation and Permanent Power Supply $8 mil (est) TBD
Discharge Pipeline $25 mil (est) TBD SNWA Response
To ensure a reliable water supply, the SNWA is pursuing development of additional non-Colorado River water resources.
These resources are in the form of unused groundwater supplies in eastern Nevada. SNWA Response
Clark, Lincoln & White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project
Proposed Facilities
• Groundwater wells • Pipelines • Pumping stations • Regulating tanks • Water treatment facilities • Power lines/facilities • Support facilities SNWA Response
Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project
Preliminary Schedule 1990 - current Research & studies 2004 - 2009 Environmental process 2006 - 2012 Geotechnical survey & design 2007 - 2009 Groundwater monitoring testing & exploratory wells 2010 - 2020 Groundwater production wells 2009 - 2015 Pipeline & facility construction
The SNWA will have 20 years of study and monitoring before any water comes to Southern Nevada SNWA Response
Development of these in-state resources will: • Diversify available water resources to meet near and long-term demands (reduce dependence on Colorado River from 90% today).
• Ensure resources are available if Colorado River shortages are instituted or resources become inaccessible due to low lake levels.
Amount Permitted
Spring Valley 60,000 AFY permitted, subject to staged pumping restrictions.
Delamar, Dry Lake & 18,755 AFY permitted. Cave Valleys Snake Valley Applications pending.
12 Colorado River Basin Response
The Seven Basin states have worked over the last decade to implement innovative water solutions for the Colorado River. • Rules for Surplus • Banking arrangements • Shortage sharing • Shared facilities • Coordinated management • Augmentation Colorado River Basin Response The States continue to study options for augmenting Colorado River supplies.
Augmentation Study Options:
• Brackish and Ocean Water Desalination • Coalbed Methane Produced Water • Conjunctive Use • Power Plants – Reduce Consumptive Use • Reservoir Evaporation Control • Stormwater Storage • Vegetation Management • Water Imports Using Ocean Routes • Water Reuse • Weather Modification Colorado River at Lake Mead • River Basin Imports