Irrigation Leader May 2015 by Water Strategies

Volume 6 Issue 5

May 2015

Comprehensive Water Management: An Interview With Don Kraus of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

Cooperative Collaboration By Kris Polly he Republican River basin and the interstate compact that divides its supply among Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas has been subject to much contentious debate and litigation in the last 30 years. The term cooperative collaboration would not describe the three states’ interactions during that time. However, “cooperative collaboration” is how Dr. Jim Schneider, acting director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, described the current working relationship between Kansas and Nebraska during our recent interview, and Jackie McClaskey, Kansas secretary of agriculture, characterized the interactions among Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas regarding the Republican River as “a true working relationship,” during our interview with her. What happened? Well, at the risk of oversimplifying, people started talking. The respective state representatives acknowledged each state’s needs and are now meeting on a monthly basis to focus on management solutions. Another example of cooperative collaboration is the proposed J-2 Regulating Reservoir as described by Don Kraus, general manager of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. The result of nearly 15 years

of study, the 1,500-acre reservoir will capture and retime canal return flows to smooth out fluctuations in releases to the Platte River. By stabilizing releases, the reservoir will offset groundwater pumping needs and help the state of Nebraska and the Central Platte Natural Resources District comply with the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program for endangered species. The reservoir adds additional storage and management flexibility for the district without putting irrigation deliveries at risk. The recent negotiations among Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas, as well as the development of the J-2 Regulating Reservoir, demonstrate what can be accomplished when multiple parties work together toward a shared goal. Kris Polly is editor-in-chief of Irrigation Leader magazine and president of Water Strategies LLC, a government relations firm he began in February 2009 for the purpose of representing and guiding water, power, and agricultural entities in their dealings with Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other federal government agencies. He may be contacted at Kris.Polly@waterstrategies.com.

The Water and Power Report www.WaterAndPowerReport.com The Water and Power Report is the one-stop aggregate news site for water and power issues in the 17 western states. Sign up for the free “Daily” service to receive e-mail notice of the top headlines and press releases each business day.

Irrigation Leader

May 2015

C O N T E N T S 2 Cooperative Collaboration

Volume 6

Issue 5

Irrigation Leader is published 10 times a year with combined issues for July/August and November/December by Water Strategies LLC P.O. Box 100576 Arlington, VA 22210 Staff: Kris Polly, Editor-in-Chief John Crotty, Senior Writer Robin Pursley, Graphic Designer Capital Copyediting LLC, Copyeditor SUBMISSIONS: Irrigation Leader welcomes manuscript, photography, and art submissions. However, the right to edit or deny publishing submissions is reserved. Submissions are returned only upon request. ADVERTISING: Irrigation Leader accepts one-quarter, half-page, and full-page ads. For more information on rates and placement, please contact Kris Polly at (703) 517-3962 or Irrigation.Leader@waterstrategies.com. CIRCULATION: Irrigation Leader is distributed to irrigation district managers and boards of directors in the 17 western states, Bureau of Reclamation officials, members of Congress and committee staff, and advertising sponsors. For address corrections or additions, please contact our office at Irrigation.Leader@waterstrategies.com. Copyright © 2015 Water Strategies LLC. Irrigation Leader relies on the excellent contributions of a variety of natural resources professionals who provide content for the magazine. However, the views and opinions expressed by these contributors are solely those of the original contributor and do not necessarily represent or reflect the policies or positions of Irrigation Leader magazine, its editors, or Water Strategies LLC. The acceptance and use of advertisements in Irrigation Leader do not constitute a representation or warranty by Water Strategies LLC or Irrigation Leader magazine regarding the products, services, claims, or companies advertised.

COVER PHOTO: Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District General Manager Don Kraus. Irrigation Leader

By Kris Polly

4 Comprehensive Water Management: An Interview With Don Kraus of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

10 Protecting Water Rights in the West By Congressman Scott Tipton

12 Irrigating an Economic Engine

By the Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition

16 Water Management From a Basin Perspective: Nebraska's Natural Resource District By Dean Edson

WATER LAW 22 Cooperation on the Republican River— The View From Nebraska

26 Cooperation on the Republican River— The View From Kansas

IRRIGATED CROPS 32 Alfalfa: Designed for Drought By Dr. Daniel Putman

34 Vivatson Farms and Heuchert Willow

Creek: Irrigating in the Red River Valley

38 Classified Listings

Comprehensive Water Management:

An Interview With Don Kraus of the Central

Irrigation Leader

Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

he Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) delivers irrigation water to more than 109,000 acres of corn and soybean in south-central Nebraska on the south side of the Platte River. Central provides supplemental water from Lake McConaughy (Central’s main storage reservoir) to more than 100,000 acres in the Platte River Valley through storage water contracts. In addition, Central generates 113 megawatts of power for homes, farms, and industry at four hydroelectric plants along its delivery and storage system. Central is currently partnering with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (on behalf of Natural Resource Districts (NRDs)) and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (Recovery Program) on a $75 million project known as the J-2 Regulating Reservoir. The J-2 Regulating Reservoir will enhance flows in the Platte River for the benefit of threatened and endangered species under the Recovery Program and offset for stream flow depletions in Nebraska’s integrated management plans. To do that, Central is developing an off-river reservoir to retime flows to the Platte from one of Central’s main canals. The J-2 Reservoir will provide the system with an annual yield of 40,000 acre-feet of benefits to the Platte River. Don Kraus is Central’s general manager. Mr. Kraus began his career as an electrical engineer at Central in 1971. After a stint as a systems engineer for Fisher Controls, he returned to Central and served as Central’s chief electrical engineer and assistant general manager prior to his appointment as general manager in 1993. Mr. Kraus serves as chair of the Platte River Cooperative Hydrology Study and sits on the board of the National Water Resources Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Irrigation Leader’s editor-in-chief, Kris Polly, spoke to Mr. Kraus about developing water projects in the district and the challenges of managing a large district. Kris Polly: What are Central’s top issues? Don Kraus: Number 1 is water supply. The district went through a period of sustained drought from 2000 to 2010. For the 60 years prior to the drought, the district had never implemented allocations for our customers. So it was a new ballgame for us when we had five straight years of allocation for our irrigators in 2005–2009 and three more again in 2013–2015. To address the drought, we implemented a water Irrigation Leader

transfer program, which allows producers to transfer their surface water deliveries from one tract of land to another when a normal delivery rate and volume are not available. Because 75 percent of Central’s producers have wells and can also use groundwater, they may transfer their surface water to a neighbor and the neighbor can pay the bill and get the allocation. Through the transfer process, we were able to stretch the water supply through the drought years. Our base contract with producers is 18 inches, although we typically deliver 10 or 11 inches. Over time, our producers have become more efficient—we now have more than 540 center pivots on our system irrigating more than half of our contract acres by pumping water directly from our canals. A change in the timing of water deliveries has also allowed our customers to become more efficient. They can now elect to receive water on a oneweek rather than a two-week rotation. The change has increased our workload, but customers are able to forego a water delivery knowing the next delivery opportunity is only one week away. Infrastructure repairs and replacements are also an area we are addressing. Central’s project is 75 years old now. One of our major efforts in the last 5 years has been lining a number of our siphons in our irrigation system. In addition, we have modernized our control system in Gothenburg—we monitor and control four hydro plants, 75 miles of supply canal, and more than 425 miles of irrigation laterals. Kris Polly: What kind of technology has Central adopted to help increase water efficiencies? Don Kraus: We are in year 1 of a new threeyear project to implement a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to modify flow meters to enable real-time remote monitoring. The Centralized Irrigation Database for Water Management, which will cover 5,767 contract acres, enables producers to go online at any time and see how much water has been used. The producer can also monitor rainfall at the field level and obtain weather data and crop water use (from two new local weather stations). The purpose of the project is to generate real-time information for producers to precisely manage their surface water. Roughly one-third of the canal turnouts will be fitted with the new equipment each year; 27 sites are installed for the 2015 irrigation season. It is a big step for us to test this new technology—McCrometer 5

has been an excellent partner in providing technology and expertise for the program. The Nebraska Environmental Trust, funded wholly by Nebraska Lottery revenue, funds projects across the state to protect and restore natural resources. Kris Polly: Tell us about the J-2 Regulating Reservoir and the thinking behind it. Don Kraus: The reservoir is the product of 15 years of studies to retime river flows along the Platte River to reduce shortages to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) target flows. By 2009, the J-2 project rose to the top of the list of potential projects as the most cost effective and feasible. Rather than water returning directly to the Platte River from the Supply Canal, we will divert water into the reservoir where it would be retimed before being released into the Platte. The project will not change any of our diversions— but they will be retimed to help reduce shortages. The reservoir will cover about 1,500 acres with a total holding capacity of 15,000 acre-feet. Because the reservoir might be filled three times a year—depending on the number of releases during shortages—the average annual yield will total more than 40,000 acre-feet. The J-2 takes advantage of the topography. The Phelps Canal is about 15 to 20 feet higher than the river in this location. We will build an earthen barrier around the reservoir to maximize storage capabilities, and we will excavate and move a lot of clay for liner. The size of the barrier walls will vary—areas close to the canal will range from 5 to 10 feet high, while those close to the river may run as high as 25 feet. The project partners are also the project beneficiaries. The project will enable Central to operate the J-2 Hydro more efficiently and smooth out fluctuations in the release of flows from the Phelps Canal to the Platte River. The state benefits—through the NRDs—from the retiming of

flows to address shortages, which will offset the impacts of groundwater pumping to Platte River flows. Finally, the Recovery Program (and the threatened and endangered species under its care) benefits from a reduction to flow shortages. Kris Polly: What is the current status of the project? When do you expect construction to commence? Don Kraus: Right now, we are working on permitting and land acquisition—we expect road construction to begin in 2017 and reservoir construction to begin in 2018. Kris Polly: Given your long tenure at Central and your experience implementing big projects, what advice do you have for new managers? Don Kraus: It is important to listen to your customers and take care of your employees. You rely on both. It is also very important to build relationships with others who have responsibilities to manage water resources.

The J-2 project concept. 6

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Protecting Water Rights in the West By Congressman Scott Tipton

fter much public outcry, the federal government has attempted to distance itself from its most recent attempt to trample state law and take or interfere with private water rights. While administration officials are claiming “there’s nothing to see here,” short of guarantees that can only be provided through legislation, our private water rights—on which countless westerners and communities rely for their livelihood—will continue to be at risk. Last year, U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Robert Bonnie stated during a congressional hearing that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed Clean Water Rule, which seeks to regulate essentially all forms of surface water on public and private land, would in no way pertain to groundwater. Undersecretary Bonnie painstakingly emphasized that farmers and ranchers would be unaffected by the proposed EPA rule because of an agriculture exemption. However, the devil was in the details of agency directives and manuals. At the same time these assurances were being made, the Forest Service was moving forward with a Groundwater Management Directive to establish regulations that could directly interfere with private water users’ ability to access their water. This broad directive could impact any farmer or rancher who engages in common agriculture practices, such as lawfully utilizing their water rights for diversion out of a stream, filling a stock pond, or irrigating a field. The directive also runs contrary to states’ longstanding authority over groundwater management. Weeks later, the Forest Service came forward with a “compromise” on a separate longstanding water rights issue that impacted permit users on public lands, which include primarily ski areas and some ranchers. The agency stated that it would no longer require the transfer of

water rights as a permit condition as long as those rights remained tied to the land. This was the fourth change in the ski area permit condition in 10 years, and there are no guarantees that it will not be changed again. It is also worth noting that there has never been a case, according to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, where a permittee has sold off water rights from the land for other uses, or inappropriately. The government is attempting to solve a problem that does not exist. While the Forest Service’s compromise seemed to take a step back from outrightly coercing private ski area water rights from owners as a conditional use of permit, the reality is that the Forest Service simply regrouped before once again pressing forward with actions aimed at illegally obtaining rights granted by state water law. The agency’s most recent attempt at compromise, the Groundwater Management Directive, instructed Forest Service personnel to assume interconnectivity of surface water and groundwater, “regardless of whether State law addresses these water resources separately.” Under the directive, if the federal government says its water rights are senior, regardless of historic usage and state law, private water users, including ski areas, municipalities, and

Irrigation Leader

agriculture producers, are out of luck. So much for compromise. In short, a pattern has emerged in which the federal government responds to public outcry by claiming to back away from attempts to interfere with private water rights, shifting the focus elsewhere, and all the while enforcing and pursuing policies to accomplish the same ends through quieter channels. While ski areas have been high-profile targets in recent water rights battles, this issue is not limited to them or to only the Forest Service. Ranchers are suffering the same fate regarding their grazing permits on Bureau of Land Management lands, and all private water rights holders could be impacted by similar policies coming out of federal land management agencies. Short of legislation to codify long-held state water law and priority-based systems, and to prohibit uncompensated takings, as the Water Rights Protection Act (WRPA) seeks to do, the federal government will continue attempts to take private water rights or restrict water users from accessing them, as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen many times before. All valid water rights deserve strong protections from potential abuses by any federal agency. That is why I am reintroducing WRPA in the 114th Congress. We have worked with stakeholders throughout Colorado and other impacted western states to put forward a common-sense bill that will include the same protections introduced last Congress, as well as strengthened language to further safeguard against backdoor attempts, like the Forest Service Groundwater Management Directive, to circumvent state law and infringe on private water rights. As before, the bill maintains environmental safeguards and will not impact Bureau of Reclamation water contracts in any way. Likewise, the legislation will have no impact on bypass flow authority or any other authority existing within a jurisdiction. These are outside the scope of the legislation.

Irrigation Leader

This legislation is solely intended to protect privately held water rights from federal takings. Introduction is the first step in the process, and as the bill advances through the committee process, we are committed to continuing to work with community stakeholders to ensure that western water users can have the certainty needed to prosper and thrive in the arid West. Congressman Scott Tipton represents Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd District. In the 114th Congress, he is serving on the House Committee on Financial Services and is a vice chair of the Congressional Western Caucus. Congressman Tipton graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, becoming the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He went on to co-found Mesa Verde Indian Pottery with his brother. He and his wife, Jean, have two daughters and one grandchild.

Irrigating an Economic Engine By the Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition

his past February, members of the Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition (Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, the Yuma County Water Users’ Association, Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District, Yuma Irrigation District, North Gila Valley Irrigation and Drainage District, Unit B Irrigation and Drainage District) released a report, A Case Study in Efficiency—Agriculture and Water Use in the Yuma, Arizona Area, that provides details on the economic effects of irrigation on Yuma County. With the help of the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the coalition investigated the nexus between water supply, water infrastructure, irrigation management, environmental use, and economic activity in Yuma County. The results tell a story of sound water management and economic growth, showing a steady reduction in water inputs, increased vegetable and crop production, and robust employment in the agricultural sector. Irrigation Management in Yuma County Agriculture in Yuma County has flourished due to the long, nearly-frost-free growing season; fertile soils; and the availability of quality and dependable irrigation water. Agricultural production in the Yuma area has shifted from perennial and summer-centric crop production systems (alfalfa, citrus, cotton) to winter-centric, multicrop systems focused on the production of high-value vegetable crops. The number of acres planted to vegetables has increased nearly sixfold over the past 40 years, while acreage committed to perennial and full-season crops, such as citrus, cotton, sorghum, and alfalfa, has declined 43 percent. Volume of Irrigation Water Delivered to Yuma County Irrigators, 1970–2010

Nearly 70 percent of the irrigable acres now support multicrop production systems that include a winter vegetable crop followed by durum wheat, melons, shortseason cotton, or sudangrass. The water requirements of these multicrop systems are typically less than the perennial and full-season crops they replaced. Irrigation water diverted to farms has decreased 15 percent since 1990 (0.8 acre-foot/acre) and nearly 18 percent since 1975 (1.0 acre-foot/acre). Factors contributing to this reduction in water use include a reduction in irrigable acres, expanded use of multicrop production systems that require less water, and significant improvements in crop and irrigation management and infrastructure. Use of irrigation water during the hot summer months has declined precipitously over the past 30 years, reflecting the decline in perennial and full-season crop production. Today, the only months with higher water deliveries relative to the 1970s are October, November, and December, the establishment months for winter vegetables. Improvements in on-farm irrigation infrastructure, including construction of concrete-lined irrigation ditches and high-flow turnouts, shortened irrigation runs, and sprinkler irrigation systems have improved on-farm irrigation efficiencies, resulting in a reduction in water use. The Economic Contribution of Agriculture in Yuma County Yuma is a national center of agricultural production in the United States. The county ranks at the very top of U.S. counties in several measures of agricultural sales, acreage, and production. Farm-level production only reflects a portion of agriculture’s contribution to the Yuma County economy, however. Agricultural production creates demand for goods and services in the agricultural input and service sectors. It also creates demand for inputs from sectors not directly related to agriculture. Farm proprietors and employees also spend earnings and wages in local businesses in the county. Spending on inputs and the spending of earnings and wages both generate additional demand for goods and services—and jobs—in the Yuma economy. These multiplier effects mean that the contribution of agriculture to the Yuma economy stretches beyond the farm gate. To determine the contribution of agriculture to the Yuma economy, one must take a comprehensive look at the industry, incorporating the economic activities of industries directly and indirectly related to agriculture. Among U.S. counties, Yuma ranks in the top 0.1 percent in vegetable and melon sales, the top 0.5 percent in sales of all crops, and the top 1 percent in Irrigation Leader

Yuma’s Rank Among All Producing Counties in Crop Sales Commodity

Rank among U.S. counties in sales (percent)

Vegetables and melons1

Top 0.1

All crops

Top 0.5

All agricultural products

Top 1.0

Other crops and hay

Top 1.2

Nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture

Top 23

Grains, oilseeds, beans, and peas

Top 28

contributed $2.8 billion in output to the Yuma economy. This included nearly $2.3 billion in direct sales effects from agricultural and related industries and an additional $540 million in sales by other Yuma industries. Agriculture and related industries contributed to one in four jobs in Yuma County. Agriculture and related industries (such agricultural inputs and services, food, and fiber processing) directly account for one in five jobs. Agriculture creates additional jobs in nonagricultural

Includes potatoes and sweet potatoes. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistical Service, 2012 Census of Agriculture.

Irrigation Leader

$ billions (2014 current)

2.8

0.36 0.18

2.4 2.0

Induced Effect Indirect Effect

1.6

Direct Effect

1.2

2.26

0.8 0.4 0.0 Output

sectors when it purchases goods and services from those sectors. When farming households and employees spend their incomes and paychecks at local businesses, they create demand for even more jobs. Every 100 jobs in agriculture and agribusiness industries supported an additional 26 jobs in other industries throughout Yuma’s economy. Agricultural and agribusiness spending created demand for jobs in transportation, warehousing, real estate, banking, retail, and wholesale trade, among other industries. The spending of agricultural paychecks and proprietors’ income on local goods and services created demand for jobs in health care, food and beverage service, retail, banking, and auto repair industries, among others. Jobs Supported by Yuma Agriculture and Agribusiness 25,000

20,000 Number of Jobs

sales of all crop and livestock products combined. In terms of acreage, Yuma ranks in the top 0.1 percent among U.S. counties in vegetable acreage, the top 0.2 percent in lettuce acreage, the top 9 percent in durum wheat acreage, and the top 9 percent in forage crop acreage. The total market value of on-farm capital assets (land, buildings, and farm machinery) in Yuma was nearly $1.8 billion. Yuma’s average value of land and buildings of $3.9 million per farm is nearly four times the national average. More than 14 percent of Yuma operations had land and buildings valued at more than $5 million. Only about 2.5 percent of operations in the rest of Arizona had land and buildings valued at more than $5 million. Economists frequently use cash rents to measure the productivity and profitability of current agricultural production. This study compared Yuma cash rents to other areas using two different data sources: (1) survey estimates of average cash rents collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistical Service and (2) reports of ranges (low to high) of cash rents reported to the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Both data sources indicate that Yuma cash rents are significantly higher than in other Arizona counties and in other areas of the Colorado River basin. As one measure of water productivity, this study estimated the dollar value of crop sales per acre-foot of water withdrawn. Gross crop receipts were $681 per acre-foot of water in Yuma County, while receipts ranged from $162–$520 per acre-foot in the five other Arizona counties that use Colorado River water. Agriculture and supporting services is the singlelargest private-sector contributor to Yuma’s gross domestic product (GDP). GDP measures the value of an economy’s production of final goods and services. With a GDP of nearly $5.4 billion, Yuma County’s economy would rank 151st out of 192 countries, globally. Agriculture is not only Yuma County’s single-largest private-sector industry (as measured by GDP); it is nearly as big as the next two industries (health care and all retail trade) combined. In 2014 dollars, agriculture and related industries

Yuma Agriculture and Agribusiness Contributions to Yuma County Output

3,120 1,196

15,000

Induced Effect Indirect Effect

10,000 16,428

Direct Effect

5,000

Employment

To read the entire report, visit http://www.agwateryuma.com.

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Water Management From a Basin Perspective:

Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts By Dean Edson

atural Resources Districts (NRDs) are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major river basins form the boundaries, enabling districts to respond to local needs. Solutions are driven by local residents getting involved to resolve local basin issues to the benefit of all Nebraskans. Nebraska is one of a few states that has designed its resource management entities in such a way. In 1969, the Nebraska Legislature enacted a bill that combined Nebraska’s 154 special purpose entities into 24 NRDs organized around Nebraska’s major river basins. (Now there are 23 NRDs.) At that time, the state was studying how to address soil and water conservation and management. The existing natural resources political subdivisions—county conservation districts, drainage districts, and flood control districts—held different duties dealing with resource management, yet none of them had taxing or regulatory authority. Those districts would have to go before county boards to obtain any funding and often were unable to undertake cost-sharing programs with farmers for conservation projects.

Levy Authority

The legislation granted NRDs the authority to regulate groundwater quantity and quality, control floods, and address soil erosion through a variety of cost-sharing programs. Each district has its own levy authority. Since their formation, NRDs have had the ability to impose a general 4½-cent-per-$100 property tax on all taxable property within their boundaries for operations, cost-share programs, and regulatory programs. The legislature has expanded that levy authority for the NRDs to address water quantity and quality issues—the districts can levy an extra penny for water quantity programs, and if located in a fully appropriated area, they can levy an additional 3 cents. In fiscal year 2014–2015, the NRDs generated $68.5 million in local taxes and leveraged that with over $160 million of other local, state, federal, and grant funds to distribute $228.5 million for soil and water conservation programs in Nebraska. In 2006, the state passed legislation to enable fully appropriated districts to levy an occupation tax on irrigated land (up to $10 an irrigated acre). Those funds

Flood control dam offering increased flood prevention to the Omaha Metro Area.

are used for augmentation projects, river flows, or other projects needed to keep the state in compliance with compacts and decrees. Since the passage of the authority, local NRDs have invested over $180 million in river augmentation projects that protect existing water uses and future uses and provide compact compliance. The projects were bonded and will be paid off by the occupation tax over the next 18 years. These projects protected over 300,000 irrigated acres from being converted to dryland farming, which would have been devastating to the local economy.

Board Structure

Elected boards of directors govern the NRDs. Anybody eligible to run for state office can run for a position on an NRD board. The general electorate elects NRD board members, so they are on same election cycle as state senators and other elected offices. One district elects its board members at large, while the other 22 districts have created subdistricts within their respective NRDs. For those districts, individuals who reside in that subdistrict can vote for candidates. NRD boards range from 6 to 21 members and include representatives from all walks of life, not just farmers. The Nebraskans that serve on NRD boards care about natural resources and agriculture. Those individuals are committed to making their areas better through cost-share programs. Irrigation Leader

Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts

Partnering for Success

NRDs often build partnerships with private, local, state, and federal agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Over 70 flood control structures have been built with the local NRD as the primary sponsor. The structures protect small and large communities all over the state. These structures are multipurpose and also provide recreation, trails, groundwater recharge, and wildlife habitat. Other partners include local, state, and federal agencies. The local NRD works with Nebraska Game and Parks to develop the fishery habitat for the structures. One project just finishing up is a levee and flood control system to protect the Lincoln and Omaha well-fields on the lower Platte River. The structures will protect the investments made by the cities and protect reliable drinking water supplies for over half of the residents in Nebraska. A new project on the drawing board is the upgraded levy around Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. The local Papio-Missouri River NRD will be the lead on the project and provide the local funding toward it. The NRD will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on design and cost share for the project. The NRD will use its own money and leverage it with state and federal money to build the structure. The NRDs address water quantity issues in conjunction with the state DNR via integrated management plans

Irrigation Leader

governing a river basin. Looking at groundwater and surface water uses, the NRDs regulate groundwater uses to enhance stream flow, while the state DNR provides the regulation of surface water uses. The joint plan provides water for all beneficial uses. The NRDs included in the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program area are ahead of the program goals for increased river flows for all users. The NRDs, with the state Department of Environmental Quality, also develop management plans for water quality for the entire district. Regulation generally starts with education and training programs for pesticide and fertilizer applicators. It can also lead to restrictions on fertilizer uses when nitrate levels are nearing 10 parts per million. For example, the Central Platte NRD implemented a plan 20 years ago, and since then, nitrate levels have decreased over 25 percent and continue to decline. Meanwhile, crop yields in these areas continue to increase. Dean Edson has been the executive director of the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts since 1997. His relationship with the NRDs goes back much further; before becoming executive director, Dean farmed for 10 years in central Nebraska and lobbied for the Nebraska Farm Bureau in Lincoln on natural resources issues for 11 years. For more information about the NRDs, you can reach Dean at (402) 471‑7674 or dedson@nrdnet.org. 17

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Water Law 22

Cooperation on the Republican River— The View From Nebraska Dr. Jim Schneider, Acting Director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

n March 6, 2015, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, via the Republican River Compact Administration (RRCA), signed an agreement providing Nebraska flexibility to achieve its compact obligations and protecting the interests of Kansas water users. The agreement enables the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to open Nebraska reservoirs and its previously limited water rights, so that Reclamation, in turn, can modify irrigation district contract provisions to use water pumped from Nebraska augmentation projects for RRCA compliance. In light of the new agreement and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on Republican River Compact compliance, Irrigation Leader’s editor-in chief, Kris Polly, reached out to officials from the states of Nebraska and Kansas to learn more about how the agreement came about; what it will do; and what impact, if any, the Supreme Court ruling will have on future compact compliance actions. Kris first connected with Jim Schneider, acting director of the Nebraska DNR, about some of the details of the agreement.

Dr. Schneider was hired by the DNR in 2006 as senior groundwater modeler. In 2008, he was put in charge of the Integrated Water Management Division. He has served as the deputy director since 2010 and as acting director since December 2014. Dr. Schneider represents Nebraska in several interstate water and natural resource organizations, including the Governance Committee for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (chair, 2011), the Republican River Compact Administration, the North Platte Decree Committee, and the Interstate Council on Water Policy (chair, 2015). He has a PhD in geology from the University of South Florida. Kris Polly: Please describe the relationship between Kansas and Nebraska as you try to help water users that rely on the Republican River. Jim Schneider: We are very pleased that Nebraska and Kansas are at a good point of cooperation. As states, we each have a responsibility to protect our citizens while also seeking mutual ground. In my opinion, the relationship has improved dramatically in recent years and we are at a place of cooperative collaboration to seek mutually beneficial solutions. In fact, the RRCA, reflecting the continued spirit of

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cooperation, reached several agreements in recent months that will ensure more certainty to the basin’s water users in both Nebraska and Kansas. The most recent agreement provides additional flexibility for Nebraska to achieve its compact obligations while protecting Kansas water users’ interests. The additional flexibility allowed the Nebraska DNR to open Nebraska’s reservoirs and water users’ rights that were initially limited in 2015. Opening Nebraska’s water rights allowed Reclamation to agree to modify certain contract provisions for its irrigation districts, ensuring the availability of the water that was pumped from Nebraska augmentation projects for compact compliance. Previous agreements allowed Kansas water users to have access to water provided by Nebraska during the irrigation season, instead of in the fall and winter months when it would have been of little use to Kansas, but Nebraska otherwise would have been forced to deliver it to maintain compact compliance. Additionally, the agreement allows for the Nebraska DNR to ensure no additional regulatory water supply reductions for Nebraska surface water irrigation users for the 2015 irrigation season. This is a significant step forward for the states and our water users. Our collaborative work and this agreement further demonstrate the benefits of the recent cooperation that the states have been able to achieve. I am optimistic that the states can work toward ensuring that these types of arrangements can be in place each year, so that both Irrigation Leader

Nebraska and Kansas water users will secure the benefits of having more certainty in their water supplies. Kris Polly: The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on Republican River Compact compliance. Does the ruling establish a road map showing how the states can comply with the compact and avoid future litigation? Jim Schneider: From our perspective, yes. The ruling closes the books on past disagreements and allows us to continue to move forward in a spirit of collaboration. Kris Polly: What changes have taken place over the past five years to ensure compliance with the compact and to manage water in a way that benefits as many water users as possible? Jim Schneider: Nebraska has developed plans for compliance that have been affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court and proven to work. Two augmentation projects have been built and have provided compliance water, minimizing impacts to water users. In 2013, the Upper Republican Natural Resources District (NRD) in the southwestern corner of Nebraska began operating the Rock Creek Augmentation Project, which prevented the shutdown of thousands of irrigated acres to ensure compact compliance. And in 2014, four NRDs began operating the N-CORPE [Nebraska Cooperative Republican Platte 23

Enhancement] augmentation project in Lincoln County, Nebraska. It prevented the shutdown of approximately 300,000 irrigated acres in 2014. Combined, the two projects have the ability to increase stream flow by about 80,000 acre-feet in a given year. More than 21,000 acres have been retired from irrigation to offset augmentation water that is pumped to maintain compact compliance. The two projects illustrate Nebraska’s unique ability for local government, in this case the NRDs, to work cooperatively with the State to implement significant projects that protect local economies and the state as a whole. The relationship between the NRDs and the State have also led to what may be the most progressive set of regulations in the country designed to preserve groundwater. All 1 million plus irrigated acres in Nebraska’s portion of the Republican basin are regulated by such things as limits on the amount of water that can be used and flow meters that track water usage. Kris Polly: State governments juggle competing priorities. Where do water management and conservation fit on the prioritization scale for the state of Nebraska? What initiatives has the state undertaken to improve water management? Jim Schneider: Water management and conservation are significant priorities in the state of Nebraska. There are several new initiatives that support water management efforts in our state. One of the new initiatives is Nebraska INSIGHT [Nebraska Integrated Network of Scientific Information and GeoHydrologic Tools], an exciting, relatively new effort to provide an annual snapshot of water conditions across the state. For INSIGHT, hydrologic data are consolidated from several different sources, including the 24

Nebraska DNR, the U.S. Geological Survey, Reclamation, and local NRDs, and presented in charts for the following categories: water supplies, water demands, nature and extent of use, and water balance. The data are presented in a consistent format and become more local as the user drills down from the statewide level to the basin-wide and subbasin levels. Additional sources of hydrologic data will be added over time to provide a more complete picture of water conditions and trends in the state. We are also actively involved in voluntary Integrated Management Plans, basin-wide plans, and improved and enhanced data. We are also actively engaged in state and local cooperation and collaboration to continue to develop long-term water solutions that meet the needs of our water users. We believe we have a good water management scheme in place to develop these solutions. A recent report from the U.S. Geological Survey said that from the time before groundwater development began in the 1950s to 2013, the average drop in the water table in the Ogallala aquifer was about 4 inches. This was by far the smallest decline among the states above a significant portion of the aquifer, and the decline is small enough that it could be negated by a few wet years. A similar report, for example, found that Nebraska in 2011 had more groundwater in the Ogallala than it did before groundwater irrigation began. Kris Polly: How important is the Republican basin to your state? Jim Schneider: Nebraska has more than 1 million irrigated acres in the Republican River basin. This represents more than 1/8 of the irrigated economy in the state. We care about our water users in the Republican River, just like we care about water users throughout the state. We’ll continue to work with the basin in a cooperative manner to meet the needs of the water users, and we appreciate their input and involvement. Because the Republican River Compact is an agreement to which the State of Nebraska is a party, all Nebraskans have an interest in the Republican basin, primarily ensuring that we maintain compact compliance so that taxpayers across the state aren’t subject to any court-imposed penalties for noncompliance. We now feel very good about our ability to prevent bad outcomes for the state while helping water users and working with other parties, such as Kansas, to develop common-sense solutions to issues as they arise. You can reach Dr. Schneider at jim. schneider@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-2366. Irrigation Leader

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Cooperation on the Republican River— The View From Kansas Jackie McClaskey, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, and David Barfield, Chief Engineer, Kansas Division of Water Resources In the second part of Irrigation Leader’s interviews about the Republican River, editor-in-chief Kris Polly spoke with representatives of the State of Kansas to get the Kansas perspective on the agreement. Dr. Jackie McClaskey was appointed secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture by Governor Sam Brownback in December 2013. McClaskey joined the Kansas Department of Agriculture as assistant secretary in January 2011 and served in that role until being named deputy secretary in July 2013. Prior to coming to the Department of Agriculture, McClaskey served as an assistant dean for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University for 13 years. She holds a PhD in animal science from Kansas State University. David Barfield has worked for the Kansas Division of Water Resources for more than 30 years on a variety of issues, including municipal and industrial water use, dam safety, and interstate water compacts. He was appointed chief engineer of the Division of Water Resources in 2007. He holds a master of science degree in water resources from the University of Kansas. He is a licensed professional engineer.

and Colorado. Starting last June, the three states began meeting on a monthly basis. At the very first meeting, we talked about what was important to each individual state. For each state, the top priority is serving our respective water users. The other important item that came out of those conversations was the need to create a greater level of trust and a higher level of transparency between the states. Those three principles—the focus on water users, the need for

Kris Polly: Please describe the relationship between Kansas and Nebraska as you try to help water users that rely on the Republican River. Jackie McClaskey: During my time with the [Kansas] Department of Agriculture, we have really been focused on developing a true working relationship with our counterparts in Nebraska

A gate in Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District (KBID).

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more trust, and the need for greater transparency—are the foundation for the new era of conversation among the compact states. David Barfield: Over my 20-plus years of involvement in the issues related to the Republican River, there have certainly been some dramatic shifts in the relationship between the compact states. As one would expect, relationships were strained during the time leading up to and during our two U.S. Supreme Court lawsuits and during the series of seven arbitrations from 2009 to 2014. In contrast, within the same 20-year period, the states have had some productive discussions focused on finding solutions. The last 10 months of discussion is a good example of that. Our recent agreements with Nebraska have been short-term in nature—one year at a time so far. This is by design, so the two states can learn how Nebraska’s new water management affects quantity and time of basin water supplies. The agreements ensure a viable irrigation supply for the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District, while giving certain flexibility to Nebraska and full credit for augmentation projects in compact accounting. We believe we’ve developed a strong basic framework for a longerterm agreement with Nebraska, and we are making good progress toward securing it. Kris Polly: The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on Republican River Compact compliance. Does the ruling establish a road map showing how the states can comply with the compact and avoid future litigation? Jackie McClaskey: I don’t know if the ruling is a roadmap to help the states avoid future litigation. The way the states will avoid litigation is by working together and following up on the three key principles. Those principles provide the roadmap for finding solutions that will benefit all of the parties. David Barfield: No, I also don’t think that the Court’s ruling necessarily provided a new or clearer roadmap for compliance. If the ruling does provide a roadmap, it is

not new; it is simply that each state has to keep its use within its allocation according to the terms of the compact and the 2003 agreement or there will be consequences. Nebraska violated the compact and that agreement in 2005 and in 2006, and this case was about acknowledging that violation, sanctioning Nebraska, and establishing consequences for compact violation. Kris Polly: What changes have taken place over the past five years to ensure compliance with the compact and to manage water in a way that benefits as many water users as possible? Jackie McClaskey: As we have reached an agreement with Nebraska and continue to work with Colorado, we

Gov. Sam Brownback visiting with stakeholders in St. Francis at a meeting for the South Fork of the Republican River basin.

Irrigation Leader

Guide Rock diversion dam where the Republican River is diverted into the Courtland Canal, which in turn supplies KBID.

are making sure that Kansas gets the water it is authorized to receive in a timely manner, such that it can be useful and beneficial to our water users. So what we have seen in the last five years is each compact state shifting its main concerns from what is happening across state lines to whether they are receiving the amount of water required by the compact. The focus is now on the water users, not on the internal business of the other states. David Barfield: The most significant occurrence has been the implementation of Nebraska’s augmentation projects and its new year-to-year river management protocol. For the first time since the signing of the compact, in 2013 and again in 2014, Nebraska forced its water users to stop using water to keep statewide use within compact allocation. Unfortunately, this led to a lot of internal conflict between surface water and groundwater users in Nebraska. While there is still work to do, there is no doubt that we have made substantial progress over the last 10 months toward finding a way for Nebraska to use its augmentation projects and year-to-year management plans in a way that doesn’t harm Kansas water users and that reduces negative impacts to Nebraska water users. Kris Polly: State governments juggle competing priorities. Where do water management and conservation fit on the prioritization scale for the state of Kansas? What initiatives, if any, has the state undertaken to improve water management? Jackie McClaskey: Water is one of our top priorities within the Department of Agriculture and with our governor. Governor Brownback previously served as the state’s secretary of agriculture, so he is very familiar with interstate water permits. In fact, he traveled with us last week to St. Francis, Kansas, to talk to water users about their concerns. In our current session, the Kansas legislature has passed four water-related measures that the governor will sign. All of these actions tie into the governor’s goal, with the help of our department and the Kansas Water Office, of developing a long-term water supply vision 28

for Kansas. We are looking at agricultural and municipal water conservation, as well as the lifetime of aquifers and reservoirs, to evaluate how we can ensure—in the long term—a reliable water supply for the state. It has been a real input-driven public policy effort, with more than 400 meetings statewide, that has enabled 14,000 Kansans to provide input and set priorities and goals. Kris Polly: How important is the Republican basin to your state? Jackie McClaskey: The basin is essential to Kansas’s agricultural community. Agriculture is our state’s largest industry, and it drives our rural economies. North-central and northwestern Kansas cannot survive without a reliable water source—the Republican River. David Barfield: Kansas is both an upstream and a downstream state. We have approximately 236,000 acres within the basin in northwestern Kansas and 40,000 acres downstream in north-central Kansas. The Republican River is vital to Kansas’s economy and even its identity as a state. Our state song, Home on the Range, was written in a cabin along West Beaver Creek in the basin and was an ode to the beauty and bounty of the Republican River basin. You can reach Secretary McClaskey at Secretary@kda.ks.gov or (785) 564-6700.

You can reach Mr. Barfield at David.Barfield@kda.ks.gov or (785) 564-6640.

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The Fair Water Users Coalition represents entities that rely on water supply contained in federally owned lakes and reservoirs operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The primary mission of the coalition is to ensure that water supply costs from federal facilities are fair, affordable, and predictable.

The coalition was able to include language in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (section 1046(b)) that requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide operation and maintenance projects plans and cost estimates to contracting entities for a five-year period. This new law will greatly enhance the ability of water supply users to budget for this expense. Current Priorities • WRRDA implementation • U.S. Government Accountability Office study on water supply and congressional outreach • Uniformity of projects considered as “joint use” • Credit for beneficial projects/practices • Calculating water supply costs It is our goal to continue to grow and have members in all 25 states that have U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and reservoirs with water supply storage. Please feel free to contact Paul Kalchbrenner, the executive director of The Fair Water Users Coalition, to discuss your specific issues and answer any questions you have about the coalition. Mr. Kalchbrenner can be reached at (202) 6641102 or pkalchbrenner@engage-dc.com.

IrrIgatIon Leader advertIsIng Works Irrigation Leader directly markets your message to the decisionmakers on irrigation and other water infrastructure projects. Hard copies of Irrigation Leader are mailed to the 600-plus irrigation district general managers and their respective boards of directors in the 17 western states; the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Congress; and a variety of western water-related organizations, engineering firms, and interested individuals. In other words, advertising in Irrigation Leader is like having over 10,000 people stop by your vendor booth. “We at Diamond Plastics have seen our advertisements in Irrigation Leader magazine result in greater brand and product recognition in addition to higher demand. We continue to advertise because we see the value it brings to our business.” – Dennis E. Bauer, Diamond Plastics® Corporation

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Alfalfa: Designed for Drought Irrigated Crops

By Dr. Daniel Putnam

he 2013–2015 California drought has brought much public attention to the amount of water used in agriculture and, in particular, which crops use the most water. Although almonds have taken the hit lately, alfalfa is often one of the favorite whipping boys of agricultural critics due to its high water use on a statewide basis. But is alfalfa’s water profile really so miserable? Contrary to popular belief, alfalfa has several unique, positive biological properties and advantages when it comes to water. Due to these properties, alfalfa is remarkably resilient when it comes to severe drought conditions.

A Clarification

Alfalfa does not really use more water than other crops. At full canopy (when the leaves cover the soil surface), alfalfa’s water use is not much different than any other crop (think spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, wheat, almonds, or corn) per unit time. The evapotranspiration requirement (the amount of water a crop really needs to grow) is remarkably similar across crops at full canopy. Alfalfa’s water-use profile in California is primarily due to its high acreage and nearly year-round growth pattern in many regions. If spinach were continually grown on 850,000 to 1 million acres all year long, the water use would be about the same as alfalfa, perhaps more. Further, it’s not so much how much water is used, but how much crop is produced per unit water that is important—also known as water-use efficiency. In that category, alfalfa shines. Contrary to popular belief, alfalfa has several unique, valuable properties and advantages that would enable cropping systems greater resiliency under drought conditions.

Well-Designed for Drought

Alfalfa has a range of biological characteristics that make it very useful when a farm or an irrigated region is faced with drought conditions and resulting water limitations. Deep Rootedness. Alfalfa roots are commonly 3–5 feet deep and can extend to 8–15 feet in some soils. The crop can utilize moisture residing deep in the profile when surface waters become scarce. Perenniality. Alfalfa grows for 4–8 years and grows

Western Fresno County, October, 2014. This alfalfa variety trial was irrigated with saline (EC5.5) water between 2010 and 2012, and then received zero irrigation water from 2013 to 2014. However, the crop nearly fully recovered after re-watering in the fall of 2014. Photo courtesy of D. Putnam.

quickly with warm conditions in the spring. It can utilize residual winter rainfall before irrigation is necessary. In many areas, the first alfalfa cutting of the year requires zero irrigation—supported only by rain and residual soil moisture. Very High Yields. Alfalfa is a high yielding crop and can grow 365 days a year in warm regions (such as the Imperial Valley of California and southern Arizona). Its biomass yields are very high—we can get up to 12 cuttings per year in those regions, and growers with top management can obtain more than 14 tons/acre dry matter yields. High yields create higher water-use efficiencies. High Harvest Index, High Water-Use Efficiency. Alfalfa’s water-use efficiency is not only due to high Irrigation Leader

Drip irrigated field in the Imperial Valley. Alfalfa can grow year-round, and yield over 14 tons/acre of high quality forage, which is the basis for milk production. An average California alfalfa field can produce a potential milk yield of 2400 gallons per year. Photo courtesy of D. Putnam.

yields, but because nearly 100 percent of the above-ground plant material is harvested (known as the harvest index). In most seed-producing and fruiting crops, only a portion of the plant is harvested (typically 30–50 percent of the total plant biomass). Salt Tolerance/Ability to Utilize Degraded Water. Recent data have shown that alfalfa has a high degree of salt tolerance. In a trial in Fresno County, where 5.5 electrical conductivity water was used for irrigation over three years, yields were normal (10–12 tons/acre). This is important in a drought, since degraded recycled water (municipal wastewater, drain water, other wastewater) could be used on this crop. Contribution to Wildlife Habitat. In a drought, all of nature suffers. Alfalfa has been shown to be a significant wildlife habitat due to its lush foliage and insect diversity. Biologists have determined that 28 percent of California’s wildlife uses alfalfa for nesting, feeding, or cover. Even partial-season irrigation during a drought can help wildlife to survive by using alfalfa as habitat. Don’t believe it? Visit an alfalfa field and observe the many animals—egrets, curlew, hawks, eagles, snakes, deer, antelope, elk, and insects—that are at home there. Ability to Survive a Drought. Alfalfa evolved in regions of the world with long, hot, dry summers and wet winters—exactly like California. Although yields are highest with full irrigation, alfalfa can survive periodic droughts. This is due to its deep roots as well as its ability to go summer dormant under dry conditions. In 2014, Central Valley growers who were forced to stop watering their alfalfa fields generally found that the crop recovered after rainfall or when irrigation resumed later in the year. Ability to Deficit Irrigate. Typically 50–60 percent of full yields are obtained by mid- to late-June. If only partial water is available, irrigation water can be applied early, supplemented by winter rains and residual moisture, and the crop dries down during late summer periods. This is particularly important, since water is scarcer in late summer than early summer, and that water may be used Irrigation Leader

for other crops or uses or it may be transferred to cities. In addition, water-use efficiencies, yield, and quality tend to be higher earlier in the year.

Success in Crop Flexibility

University of California work done over the past 20 years has confirmed growers’ ability to stop alfalfa irrigation in mid-summer, allow the crop to dry down, and later rewater successfully when irrigation water becomes available. One cannot do this with many other crop species. Contrary to some popular views, alfalfa has a range of positive biological characteristics that should be quite useful when facing water-short conditions. These characteristics include a high degree of flexibility to deficit irrigate the crop, the ability to survive drought periods, high water-use efficiency, deep rootedness, salinity tolerance, and the ability to utilize degraded water. In addition, alfalfa is valuable to wildlife, which also suffers during a drought. Oh, and by the way, it is also very valuable to the millions of consumers who depend on the milk, cheese, yogurt, and, yes, ice cream produced from alfalfa. Dr. Dan Putnam is an extension specialist and agronomist at the University of California, Davis, Cooperative Extension— Agricultural Experiment Station. You can reach Dan at (530) 752-8982 or dhputnam@ucdavis.edu. This story was adapted from a May 13 post from the blog of the UC Cooperative Extension, Alfalfa and Forage News, which can be found at http://ucanr.edu/blogs/Alfalfa/index.cfm.

Vivatson Farms and Heuchert Willow Creek:

Irrigated Crops

Irrigating in the Red River Valley

otatoes are the economic engine of the Red River Valley. Once inundated by the ancient Lake Agassiz, the rich soils of the Red River Valley have enabled growers in North Dakota and Minnesota to make the region the largest producer of red potatoes in the country and North Dakota the fourth-largest potato-producing state. While most of the potatoes grown in the region are not irrigated, potatoes grown just outside the Red River Valley, on the beaches and sand bars of Lake Agassiz, are irrigated and used for french fries. The Vivatson family has been farming on the edges of the Red River Valley for four generations. Bob Vivatson, in partnership with his brother and son, raises and processes fresh potatoes along with sugar beets, dry beans, and wheat across 12,000 acres. Heuchert Willow Creek raises chip potatoes, wheat, soybeans, dry beans, corn, and black angus across 6,000 acres in northeastern North Dakota near the borders of Minnesota and Canada. Over the last 20 years, Vivatson Farms, in partnership with two other farming operations—Huecherts and Jim Langerud, has adopted innovative off-stream storage to bring pivot irrigation to the region. In the mid-1990s, after a long period of drought in the state, local potato processors sought to develop a more reliable quantity and quality of potato. J.R. Simplot, which runs a potato processing plant in Grand Forks, began to require its producers to irrigate. That was a watershed moment for the partners who produce potatoes for Simplot. “If you were going to grow for Simplot, you had to come up with some way to irrigate. That drove us to what we are doing now,” explained Mr. Vivatson.

Left to Right: Bob Vivatson, Don Huechert, and Rick Vivatson.

needed to irrigate. From that starting point, the partnership started building storage ponds off of Red River tributaries whose natural flow backs water into the ponds, mimicking an oxbow.

Storage Development

The partners investigated their options, including the formation of an irrigation district. According to Mr. Vivatson, “We looked into the creation of an irrigation district, but it didn’t fit in to what we wanted to do.” So, starting in 1997, the partners built a small-scale, off-stream retention facility to store water for irrigation. That first storage facility involved a flood control retention dam operated by a local water resource board. The partnership obtained the rights to irrigate out of the flood control dam and constructed a pond to facilitate the permitting of the amount of water

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There are currently four storage ponds total with storage capacities ranging from 50 to 100 acre-feet. And the partners have not limited themselves to off-stream storage. One storage solution has involved pumping from a gravel pit, which irrigates about 400 acres a year. The storage ponds support 18 Valley pivots and irrigate 800 acres of potatoes a year.

with a local university, placed test wells around the first constructed pond and monitored groundwater levels and quality. Over a five-year period, tests did not indicate any issues with groundwater. In addition, the aquifer is unconfined and its flows move away from any wells used for local water needs.

Water Stewardship

For the partners, moving to irrigated agriculture has been a learning experience. “The first thing you have to learn is when you need water. We started out with one traveling gun and, over the years, we have expanded to where we are now,” said Mr. Vivatson. That learning has led to improvements and success. Yields for irrigated potatoes are, on average, double those of dryland potatoes. According to Mr. Vivatson, “Simplot has been very happy with the quality.” The project partners have been spreading the word about their storage development efforts, giving presentations through the North Dakota Irrigation Association and hosting tours of the projects. Their message has inspired others to develop similar storage activities regionally.

Nutrient loading is a source of concern in the area, particularly nutrient runoff that enters the Red River and flows up to Lake Winnipeg and into the Hudson Bay. Mr. Vivatson and his partners designed their system so that nutrient loading is not an issue. According to Mr. Vivatson, “What we are doing is taking the flood water from the spring runoff and that is what we are using for irrigation.” The partners tiled the land to recycle the irrigation water back into the ponds, so that any nutrient load is directed into the irrigation pond. Pond placement and drainage design incorporates the drop from an escarpment at the far western edge of the Red River Valley, using the slope for drainage back into the ponds. The partners have also planted native grasses around the ponds to absorb some of those returning nutrients. When the project partners first started, there was some local opposition to irrigation based on a concern for the health and quality of the local aquifer. Although the projects use no groundwater, the partners, in conjunction

Building on Success

For more information about Vivatson Farms, contact Bob at (701) 521‑0188 or vfarm@polarcomm.com.

An aerial view of off stream storage.

Off stream storage pond.

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Steven L. Hernandez attorney at law Specializing in

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Contracts and Western Water Law 21OO North Main Street Suite 1A P.O. Box 13108 Las Cruces, NM 88013

(575) 526-2101 Fax (575) 526-2506 Email:

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CLASSIFIED LISTINGS Chief Deputy Water Master The U.S. Board of Water Commissioners is made up of six court-appointed commissioners, one from each of the divisions within the Walker River watershed. This board appoints a Chief Deputy Water Master, who serves at the pleasure of the board, and, with general guidance from the Water Master and board, administers the flows of the Walker River as set forth in the C-125 Decree for the 130,000+ water right acres in California and Nevada including the Walker River Irrigation District, the Walker River Paiute Tribe and others. The job entails all duties set forth in the C-125 Decree and the 1953 Rules and Regulations for the Distribution of Water of the Walker River, including: Preparation of yearly budget and plan for the equitable distribution of water for each irrigation season; setting and collecting of yearly assessments of water right acreage; updating and maintaining of water right records and water usage records; supervision of one office manager, 4 parttime river riders and 7-10 ditch riders; overseeing of water ordering and delivery schedules; regulating system reservoirs in conjunction with reservoir owners; determining decree priorities to be served according to river flow; accessing and analyzing weather and flow data; assessing snowpack to determine expected runoff and water availability; working with local, state and federal agencies; assisting legal counsel in preparation of documents for on-going lawsuits; keeping board members and federal judge informed; mediating disputes between water rights owners; communicating with press regarding general operations and incidents; inspecting diversions to assure adherence to Decree; monitoring condition of river banks, tributaries and diversions structures and informing owners or responsible parties of needed repairs; maintain vehicles and other U.S. Board equipment; interacting and corresponding with members of the public regarding water rights. Requirements: Two to five years of experience and/or education in water management recommended but not required. Candidate must possess the ability to: Advance to the position of Chief Deputy Water Commissioner/ Water Master by November 1, 2015. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; operate a computer, including word processing, spreadsheet and internet functions; legally drive on highways and in adverse off-road conditions; maintain excellent working relationships with staff and other entities’ personnel; hike various distances in difficult terrain; perform physical labor requiring moderate exertion; interpret and act upon board actions; understand and comply with California and Nevada water law; read and comprehend technical manuals and data. Salary Range: Negotiable based on experience. Benefits: Employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance for employee; family insurance available at employee’s expense, paid annual and sick leave, employer contribution to retirement account, Vehicle provided for work-related travel. Applications can be requested and resumes e-mailed to walkerusbwc@aim.com or by mail to: US Board of Water Commissioners, 410 N Main Street, Yerington, NV 89447 38

Associate or Senior Water Resources/Agricultural Engineer Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group is an employee owned company with seven offices covering California’s Central Valley. We are adding to the engineering staff in most of our offices. To be considered for the position, candidates must demonstrate they are willing and able to be part of a dedicated team of engineering professionals who specialize in serving agricultural entities and irrigation districts throughout California’s Central Valley and beyond. Candidates must show an understanding of water resources engineering and be able to apply their knowledge in a practical manner. We expect serious candidates to have a thorough understanding, interest and broad experience in areas such as: Irrigation District Operations • • • • • • • • •

System Modernization Groundwater Management, Recharge and Banking Environmental Compliance Issues Project Funding Water Transfers and Exchanges Water Rights Developing Feasibility Studies Project Planning and Design Public Works Construction Contracts

This position will actively pursue and lead projects on ag/water related client issues and requests. Duties will involve project planning, engineering consulting and design, client contact and project management. Requirements: Must hold an active CA PE license or licensed in another state and be willing to sit for CA license within 18 months of hire; 5+ years experience leading and directing work teams in studies, investigations, and designs bringing positive results. Demonstrated business development success and project management experience required. Experience with irrigation districts and knowledge of California water rights and water systems preferred. Occasional field work and overnight travel are required. Visit our website at www.ppeng.com to learn more about us. If interested, please submit your resume to hr@ppeng.com. Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We offer a comprehensive, competitive compensation package. Level and salary of position will be commensurate with experience of selected candidate.

Director of Natural Resources – State of Nebraska The State of Nebraska is looking for a Director to lead the Department of Natural Resources (NDNR). The NDNR works to find a balance between the competing demands on Nebraska’s resources in areas of; water resource development, soil and water conservation, flood prevention, watershed protection and flood control. The NDNR develops and promotes the implementation of integrated management plans and state water planning in cooperation with other local, state and federal agencies and organizations. Additionally, the NDNR administers the state’s dam safety and flood plain management programs. Candidates need to demonstrate the training and business expertise to manage and supervisor a team of approximately 100 employees to meet the mission of the NDNR. Additionally, candidates must be a professional engineer as provided in the Engineers and Architects Regulations Act and have at least five years of experience in a position of responsibility in irrigation work. Please send resumes to: lana.gillming-weber@nebraska.gov Irrigation Leader

2015 CALENDAR

May 5–8 May 15 June 3–4 June 7–10 June 10–12 June 17–19 June 17–19 June 22–23 July 8–10 July 20–24 August 4–6 August 4–6 August 19–20 August 19–21 August 25–27 October 14–16 October 28–30

Association of California Water Agencies, Spring Conference and Exhibition, Sacramento, CA Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona, Annual Meeting and Water Conference, Tempe, AZ North Dakota Missouri River Stakeholders, Spring Conference, Bismarck, ND American Water Works Association, Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA Groundwater Management Districts Association, Summer Session, Coeur d’Alene, ID Texas Water Conservation Association, Mid–Year Conference, Galveston, TX WESTCAS, Annual Conference, San Diego, CA Idaho Water Users Association, Summer Water Law & Resource Issues Seminar, Sun Valley, ID North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association, Annual Summer Meeting, Bismarck, ND ESRI, User Conference, San Diego, CA National Water Resources Association, Western Water Seminar, Hyatt Regency Monterey, Monterey, CA Kansas Water Congress, Summer Conference, Lawrence, KS Four States Irrigation Council, Summer Tour, Casper, WY Colorado Water Congress, Summer Conference, Vail, CO Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Groundwater Summit, San Marcos, TX Texas Water Conservation Association, Fall Meeting, San Antonio, TX WESTCAS, Fall Conference, Tucson, AZ For more information on advertising in Irrigation Leader magazine, or if you would like a water event listed here, please phone (703) 517-3962 or e-mail Irrigation.Leader@waterstrategies.com. Submissions are due the first of each month preceding the next issue.

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