Bear River Basin
( November 2004)

The Bear River Basin closed out the 2004 water year receiving only 85 percent pf the basin’s average annual precipitation. Basin-wide reservoir storage continued to be well below normal for the year, a result of multiple years of drought. Both Hyrum and Porcupine Reservoirs filled this year since they are relatively small when compared to the yields of their respective watersheds. The basin’s other reservoirs not only didn’t fill, but they received less water than was received in 2003. Bear Lake, which can store 1.3 million acre-feet of irrigation water for use in Cache and Box Elder counties, finished the irrigation season with virtually no stored irrigation water to carry over into next year. Consequently, the only water that will be available for Bear Lake water user’s (irrigators) next year will be the runoff this coming spring. This is the first time since 1935 that Bear Lake irrigators have been without irrigation reserves stored in Bear Lake at the start of the new water year. .

At the present time the Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) for the Bear River Basin is the lowest in the state, -3.98. The SWSI scale runs from -4 to 4, so this is nearly the lowest rating possible. The SWSI scale is based upon a statistical analysis of historic drought data. Statistically the basin has experienced drier conditions less than 2% of the time. The basin’s SWSI rating is the worst rating in the state and has been for quite some time.

M&I:
Drinking water supplies were adequate throughout the basin with conditions very similar 2003. Several communities reported significant drops in the flows from spring sources. But, no communities are anticipating shortages. Also, no communities reported imposing water use restrictions. The Bear River Water Conservancy District reports that their sources were in excellent shape, although they continued to stress conservation throughout the year. All of the small communities contacted reported having adequate supplies, including Clarkston whose supply is exclusively from springs. Some shallow wells supplying individual homes may experience declining yields or dry up completely. This is of particular concern in eastern Box Elder County. Many of these communities have connected to Bear River Water Conservancy District’s system either as wholesale customers or on an emergency “as needed basis.”

Irrigation:
Irrigation supplies in the upper division of the basin were exhausted in mid July. Irrigators from small reservoirs in the central and lower divisions of the basin used conservation efforts and rationing to stretch supplies through the end of the irrigation season. Many of the basin irrigators in anticipation of this year’s dismal water supply prospects, left more ground fallow, or they planted more grain and less alfalfa than normal, to reduce water use. These conservation efforts, coupled with a summer that has been a bit cooler than last year, made it possible to stretch meager irrigation supplies through the season.

Logan:
Residents in Logan have responded to the town’s plea for voluntary water conservation with a 12% to 13% reduction in use, compared to last year. Despite warmer weather last summer water use dropped so dramatically that the city was able to leave one well pump off at all times.

North Logan:
Flows in the creek last spring were actually up from the previous year. They learned recently that a sensor in one of their wells had failed and an earlier concern that the well level was low is now replaced with a realization that it is near normal. They are quite optimistic about their supply but continue to encourage conservation.

Brigham City:
The situation has been so smooth and water supplies so adequate that the city’s only problem seems to be dealing with the reduced revenue.

Hyrum City:
Spring sources have dropped off a little and the city is pumping more water from wells. Consequently the city is only pumping from one of its four wells every other day. Despite having no water supply problems, the city will continue to impose a no-watering restriction for Wednesdays and Sundays.

Tremonton:
Flows from culinary spring sources have dropped off a little but are still more than adequate to meet the culinary needs of the city. Conservation efforts last year resulted in a reduced use of 5 million gallons over the year or about 10 percent. In anticipation of the drought the city purchased 150 acre-feet from the Bear River Water Conservancy District, but only used 60 acre-feet last year.

Perry:
Water supplies are holding up fine. There have been no reported problems

Richmond:
Supplies are holding up all right but they are still encouraging people to conserve and have asked for a voluntary no watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Lewiston:
One of the city’s municipal wells has dried up but the other has continued to provide an adequate supply. They have asked for voluntary no watering in the day and people have responded positively.

Millville:
Water supplies are fine. The city’s wells have not experienced a significant decline

Clarkston:
Clarkston gets all of its water supply from springs but reports that spring sources are holding up very well. They renovated the springs five years ago and feel that may be part of the reason they are holding up well now.

Providence:
Spring sources are down 60% but wells are adequate and do not show signs of dropping.

Bear River City:
Supplies have been adequate thus far, but efforts to encourage conservation by encouraging not to water lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. have resulted in peaking problems.

Wellsville:
The eastern portion of Wellsville receives water from Hyrum Dam and will have no watering restrictions. However, residents living east of 100 East are currently allowed to water only once every two weeks.

Garland:
Increasing the overage price from $.50 per thousand gallons to $.95 per thousand gallons has provided an adequate incentive for users to reduce water consumption and help the city deal with the reduced yield from the spring sources.

Riverside - North Garland:
Water level in both of the city’s well have dropped; but their production has still been adequate to meet the communities water needs.