FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program i

Table of Contents

Upper Colorado Region Overview ................................................................... 1

Purpose and Scope ......................................................................... 2

Technical and Financial Assistance ........................................................... 4

Water Management Planning ........................................................... 4

Conservation Information and Education ................................................ 5

Demonstration of Innovative Conservation Technologies .................................. 5

Implementation of Effective Efficiency Measures .......................................... 5

The UC Region’s WCFSP - In Summary ....................................................... 6

Staffing .............................................................................. 6

Budget ............................................................................... 6

Program Accomplishments ............................................................ 6

Program Evaluation ................................................................... 7

Program Outlook ...................................................................... 8

Summary Tables ..................................................................... 8

Albuquerque Area Office .......................................................................... 11

Local Program Description .................................................................. 11

Program Resources ....................................................................... 11

Staff ................................................................................ 11

Budget .............................................................................. 11

Program Accomplishments ................................................................. 12

Water Management and Conservation Planning Assistance .............................. 12

Tierra y Montes Soil & Water Conservation District ................................. 12

Village of Cimarron ............................................................. 13

Village of Pecos ............................................................... 13

City of Santa Fe ................................................................ 13

Santa Ana Pueblo .............................................................. 13

Valley Improvement Association ................................................. 13

City of Espanola ............................................................... 13

Pojoaque Valley Irrigation District ................................................ 13

Arch Hurley Conservancy District ................................................. 13

Town of Belen ................................................................. 13

Conservation Demonstration Assistance ............................................... 13

Socorro S&WCD Drip System Demonstration and Research ........................ 13

New Mexico State University (NMSU) Drip Irrigation System ......................... 14

Lea County Soil and Water Conservation District - Drip Irrigation System ............. 14

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) - Installation of Weather Stations ............. 14

Texas A&M Extension Service–Developing and Establishing Guidelines for

Landscape Irrigation with Reclaimed Saline Water .......................... 14

El Paso County Planning Department–Grey Water Re-Use Project .................. 14

La Union Soil and Water Conservation District--Holistic Irrigation Technologies ....... 14

La Acequias de la Otra Vanda ................................................... 15

Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly .............................................. 15

Installation, Monitoring High Tech. Systems (Chavez County) ....................... 15

Conservation Measure Implementation Assistance ...................................... 15
ii Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

Reeves County Water Improvement District #1(Reeves County)–Replace Control

Gate at Balmorhea Lake .................................................. 15

Taos Valley Acequias Association ............................................... 15

City of Santa Fe ................................................................ 15

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District .......................................... 15

Education, Training, and Technology Transfer Assistance ................................ 16

Waste-management Education & Research Consortium (WERC)--Tri-City, Tri-State,

Bi-National Water Festival ................................................. 16

Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District–Best Management Practices ......... 16

Rio Grande County Museum .................................................... 16

Mobile River Study Centers ...................................................... 16

New Mexico Water Dialogue ..................................................... 17

Children’s Water Festival ....................................................... 17

New Mexico Office of the State Engineer .......................................... 17

Entranosa Water & Wastewater CO-OP ........................................... 17

Rio Grande Community Farms .................................................. 17

City of Las Vegas, NM Water Department ......................................... 17

Program Evaluation ........................................................................ 17

Program Outlook ........................................................................... 18

Water Conservation Planning ......................................................... 19

Conservation Demonstration .......................................................... 19

Education, Training and Technology Transfer ........................................... 19

FY2001 Staffing and Funding for WCFSP ............................................... 20

Program Direction and Long-Term Goals ............................................... 20

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status ............................................. 21

Provo Area Office Report .......................................................................... 23

Local Program Description .................................................................. 23

Problems and Goals Applicable to the WCFSP .......................................... 24

Conservation Issues to be Addressed .................................................. 25

Conservation Planning Assistance ............................................... 25

Conservation Demonstrations ................................................... 25

Conservation Measure Implementation ........................................... 26

Education, Training and Technology Transfer ..................................... 26

Education, training and technology transfer ................................................... 26

Program Resources ....................................................................... 27

Staffing ............................................................................. 27

Budget .............................................................................. 28

Partnerships ........................................................................ 28

Program Accomplishments ................................................................. 29

Water Management and Conservation Planning Assistance .............................. 30

Conservation Demonstration Assistance ............................................... 30

Weber State University .......................................................... 30

Cedar City, Utah ............................................................... 30

Conservation Measure Implementation Assistance ...................................... 30

City of West Jordan, Utah ....................................................... 30

Education, Training and Technology Transfer Assistance ................................. 31

Utah State University - Urban Water Analysis ...................................... 31

Utah State University - Avian Botulism Study ....................................... 31

Utah Water Conservation Forum ................................................. 31

Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) - Education Program ............. 31
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program iii

Utah Association of Conservation Districts - Billboard Project ....................... 31

Utah Association of Conservation Districts - Annual Meeting ........................ 32

Other worthwhile accomplishments .................................................... 32

Water Fairs and Special Education Activities ...................................... 32

Orem City Urban Conservation Fair .............................................. 32

Utah Envirothon ................................................................ 33

Con Amore Fishing Day ........................................................ 33

Program Evaluation ........................................................................ 33

Program Outlook ........................................................................... 34

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status ............................................. 35

Western Colorado Area Office Report .............................................................. 39

Local Program Description .................................................................. 39

Problems, Issues, Goals, and Objectives ..................................................... 41

Water Management Technical and Planning Assistance ............................ 41

Water Management Implementation Activities ..................................... 42

Water Management Demonstration .............................................. 42

Water Conservation Information and Education .................................... 42

Program Resources ....................................................................... 42

Staff ................................................................................ 42

Budget .............................................................................. 43

Partners ............................................................................ 43

Other Programs ..................................................................... 43

Program Accomplishments ................................................................. 43

Water Management Planning .......................................................... 43

Colorado Water Conservation Board ............................................. 44

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Farm and Ranch Enterprise .............................. 44

Bostwick Park Water Conservancy District ........................................ 44

Smith Fork Water Conservancy District ........................................... 45

Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District ...................................... 45

Grand Valley Water Users Association ........................................... 45

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association .................................... 45

Mesa Water and Sanitation District ............................................... 45

Orchard City Irrigation District and North Fork Water Conservancy District ............. 45

California Polytechnic University ................................................. 45

Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District ...................................... 46

La Plata Soil Conservation District and San Juan Resource Conservation and

Development Council .................................................... 46

Hammond Conservancy District ................................................. 46

Mancos Water Conservancy District and Farmers’ Irrigation District .................. 46

Navajo Nation - Water Users Associations ........................................ 46

Tri-County and Collbran Water Conservancy Districts .............................. 46

San Juan River Dineh Water Users Association ................................... 46

Demonstration Activities .............................................................. 46

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association .................................... 47

Colorado State University ....................................................... 47

Colorado State University Research Farm ........................................ 47

Diné College .................................................................. 47

Implementation Activities ............................................................. 47

Florida Water Conservancy District ............................................... 48
iv Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

Silt Water Conservancy District ............................................ 49

Hammond Conservancy District ................................................. 49

Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise ..................................... 49

Education/Information Activities ........................................................ 49

Children’s Water Festivals ...................................................... 50

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts .................................... 50

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts - Colorado Teachers Conservation

Workshops .............................................................. 50

Water Management Workshop Scholarships ...................................... 50

Southwest Water Conservation District ........................................... 50

Ute Water Conservancy District .................................................. 50

Dolores Water Conservancy District .............................................. 51

Special Water Presentations .................................................... 51

Colorado Foundation of Agriculture .............................................. 51

Ute Water Conservancy District, et al - Fifth Grade Water Education Program ......... 51

Durango Nature Studies, et al ................................................... 51

Youth Water Education Programs ................................................ 51

Program Evaluation ........................................................................ 52

Planning ............................................................................ 52

Implementation and Demonstration .................................................... 52

Education ........................................................................... 53

Program Outlook ........................................................................... 53

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status ............................................. 54
The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related

resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

Upper Colorado Region Overview

The purpose of the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) is to actively encourage

water conservation, by assisting irrigation and other water districts with their responsibility to develop

and implement water conservation plans. It is also intended to complement other state and local

conservation efforts. The WCFSP, through each of Reclamation’s Area Offices, is providing technical

and financial assistance to the districts in developing and implementing water management and

conservation plans, demonstrating unfamiliar and innovative water management technologies, and

providing water conservation information and education.

This report is a summary of WCFSP activities in the Upper Colorado (UC) Region during fiscal year

2000. It has been prepared jointly by the Regional and Area Office Coordinators. Area Office

Coordinators prepared the sections discussing their respective local programs. This document provides

an overview of the WCFSP and discusses local WCFSP assistance activities and accomplishments. 

The WCFSP has been implemented in the Albuquerque Area Office (AAO), headquartered in

Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Provo Area Office (PRO), headquartered in Provo, Utah; and the

Western Colorado Area Office (WCAO), headquartered in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Western

Colorado Area Office is providing WCFSP assistance through its Grand Junction, Colorado and its

Durango, Colorado offices. The Albuquerque Area Office is also providing WCFSP services through its

El Paso Field Division Office located in El Paso, Texas.

Upper Colorado Region Water Conservation Field Services Program

Region and Area Office Coordinators

Office Program Coordinator

Upper Colorado Regional Office

125 South State St., Room 6107

Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1102

Michael Stuver, UC-439

(801) 524-3745; FAX: (801) 524-5499; 

e-mail: mstuver@uc.usbr.gov

 Albuquerque Area Office

 505 Marquette N.W., Suite 1313

 Albuquerque, NM 84102-2162

 El Paso Office

 700 E. San Antonio St, Room B-318

 El Paso, TX 94401-7010

Joseph Alderete, ALB-406

(505) 248-5353; FAX: (505) 248-5308

e-mail: jalderete@uc.usbr.gov

David Allen, ALB-110

(915) 534-6316, FAX: (915) 534-6299

e-mail: dallen@uc.usbr.gov

 Provo Area Office

 302 East 1860 South

 Provo, UT 84606-7317

Janice Richardson, PRO-472

(801) 379-1069; FAX: (801) 379-1159

e-mail: jmrichardson@uc.usbr.gov

WATER CONSERVATION FIELD SERVICES PROGRAM

Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Colorado Region

Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2000
2 Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

Upper Colorado Region Water Conservation Field Services Program

Region and Area Office Coordinators

 Western Colorado Area Office

 Grand Junction Office

 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106

 Grand Junction, CO 81406-8744

 Durango Office

 835 East 2nd Ave,. Suite #300

 Durango, CO 81301

Dan Crabtree, WCG-DCrabtree

(970) 248-0652: FAX: (970) 248-0601

e-mail: dcrabtree@uc.usbr.gov

Pat Page, WCD-PPage

(970) 385-6560: FAX: (970) 385-6539

e-mail: ppage@uc.usbr.gov

Introduction

In 1997, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation initiated the Water Conservation Field Services Program

(WCFSP) to encourage water conservation and efficient use of water supplies on Federal reclamation

projects, as well as foster improved water management on a watershed basis throughout the Western

states. The WCFSP was designed to implement the Preferred Alternative in Reclamation’s March 1996

Final Environmental Impact Statement on implementation of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982

(RRA). It is intended to fulfill Reclamation’s legal responsibility under Section 210 (a) of the RRA to

“encourage” water conservation, and to assist districts in meeting their obligation to develop water

conservation plans under Section 210 (b). It is also intended to broaden our partnerships with others in

fostering improved water management on a watershed basis in support of other Federal directives such

as the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Its primary

objective is to provide incentives through technical and financial assistance to water districts and water

users to foster the efficient use and conservation of Western water supplies.

Purpose and Scope

The WCFSP has been established to actively encourage water conservation, assist water districts with

their responsibility to develop water conservation plans, and complement and support State and other

conservation programs, particularly where improved water management can be fostered on a watershed

basis.

While the program emphasis under RRA is to work with Reclamation projects, the WCFSP is also

designed to contribute to watershed partnerships outside of Reclamation projects to improve fish and

wildlife habitat associated with water systems or water supplies affected by Reclamation projects.

For the purposes of the WCFSP, the term “conservation” means “efficient use,” and not merely “saving

water for other purposes.” The WCFSP is about assisting districts, both urban and agricultural, in their

efforts to manage water more effectively. It is about measuring water to know how much is being

diverted and delivered. It is about accounting for deliveries of water to know where and how it’s being

used. And, it is about encouraging efficient water management practices to maximize the beneficial

use of diversions from reservoirs, streams, and aquifers, while minimizing the environmental impacts to

instream and other watershed resources.

The WCFSP is not intended as a replacement for other programs where Reclamation’s overall goal is

efficient water management–but rather, it is intended to complement and augment them in terms of

providing a new field program strategy for conservation partnership and customer service.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program 3

Upper Colorado Region

Area Office Jurisdiction
4 Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

Technical and Financial Assistance

The WCFSP provides a framework for an incentive-based program of technical and financial assistance

at Reclamation’s Area Office level. The WCFSP provides assistance to water districts; state, local,

and Indian Tribal governments and sub-entities; colleges, universities, and public schools; nonprofit and

profit organizations; and individuals. Additional technical support is available from Reclamation’s

Regional Offices and the Denver Technical Service Center.

Examples of technical assistance include such things as field visits, surveys, assessments or reviews

by Reclamation staff to assist with planning, demonstration, or implementation; agreements to fund

State or other technical staff or consultants to assist with, or develop plans; technical workshops,

tours, or training provided by Reclamation or others; and other water conservation education outreach

activities or sponsorship.

Examples of financial assistance include such things as grants or cooperative agreements for field

demonstration of specific measures; cost-sharing on implementation of selected measures; stipends to

districts to encourage joint planning; support for conservation research or technology transfer; and

financial support for special incentives under existing State and other conservation programs.

Each Area Office has been challenged to develop a “base program” that will:

é Provide technical and financial assistance to districts and entities developing and implementing

water conservation plans

é Establish collaborative efforts with district and other entities to encourage basinwide coordination in

the planning, preparation, and implementation of water conservation plans by districts

é Develop and provide districts with planning guidance and other informational tools to assist in the

development and implementation of water conservation plans

é Provide educational workshops and technical training opportunities for districts and other entities in

water management and conservation planning and implementation

é Provide technical and financial assistance in demonstration and technology transfer of innovative or

unfamiliar conservation technologies

é Provide cost-sharing opportunities to encourage the implementation of effective water conservation

and efficiency improvement measures

é Ensure that Reclamation assistance programs support and complement existing State water

conservation efforts

Each Reclamation Area Office has developed the specific mix of technical and financial assistance

activities to be offered locally in each of four program emphasis areas, (1) develop water management

and conservation plans, (2) promote conservation information and education, (3) demonstrate innovative

or unfamiliar conservation technologies, and (4) implement effective water conservation measures.

Water Management Planning: Through the WCFSP, technical and financial assistance are made

available to encourage the development of quality water management plans by districts. In many

cases, this is one-on-one assistance provided by Reclamation staff. In others, it may be financial

assistance through cost-sharing to support the district in development of its plan.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program 5

Typical activities include:

é Conduct field visits to assist with resource inventories and water conservation plans

é Assist with planning surveys and designs, water budgets and investigations, studies, and

evaluations

é Facilitate planning among districts by encouraging and developing partnerships and agreements

é Coordinate technical assistance through partnerships and agreements among organizations

Conservation Information and Education: The WCFSP also promotes activities designed to create

partnerships in conservation education, information dissemination, and training. Through a variety of

means, local area offices are finding ways to develop information and education outreach programs

through the WCFSP that support and emphasize conservation awareness.

Typical activities include:

é Conducting field tours

é Distributing information guides and materials

é Conducting workshops, including an annual water management seminar

é Providing on-the-ground educational services for general and specific activities

é Arranging partnerships with governmental, state, and local educational organizations

é Participating in water fairs and other children’s education activities

é Establishing and supporting Water Conservation Information Centers

Demonstration of Innovative Conservation Technologies: Area programs are supporting local

demonstration of projects such as improved water measurement, appropriate use of automation and

telemetry control, new approaches to minimizing canal and ditch seepage, and innovative on-farm

irrigation management methods.

Typical activities include:

é Assist with research, evaluation, and demonstration

é Sponsor specific conservation demonstration projects and activities

é Coordinate financial assistance for joint projects and partnerships with other agencies

Implementation of Effective Efficiency Measures: The implementation of effective efficiency

measures is the ultimate objective of water management and conservation planning. The WCFSP is

providing opportunities for both technical and financial assistance for water districts to begin

implementing effective efficiency measures identified in their water conservation plans. Local programs

provide cost-sharing, generally on a 50-50 basis, through cooperative agreements or grants.
6 Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

Typical Activities include:

é Assist water agencies with implementing water conservation plans and water management

practices

é Provide funds for implementation through cost-sharing activities

é Facilitate partnerships with other organizations to conduct implementation activities

The UC Region’s WCFSP - In Summary

Staffing: Each office now has a coordinator guiding its local WCFSP. There are two coordinators for

the Western Colorado Area Office–Dan Crabtree in the Grand Junction Office and Pat Page in the

Durango Office. The Albuquerque Area Office Coordinator, David Allen, is stationed in El Paso, Texas,

and there is a full-time Water Conservation specialist, Joseph Alderete, to assist in the Albuquerque

Area Office. Janice Richardson is the Coordinator for the Provo Area Office. Each coordinator used

local staff to assist with a variety of activities.

Area Office Coordinators have planned each local program and provided the basic WCFSP services. 

Their activities are described in considerable detail in subsequent sections of this report discussing

each local program. The Regional Coordinator provided region wide program oversight and coordination

along with technical support and training to Area Offices. The Regional Coordinator also participated

with coordinators from other regions, along with staff from Denver and Washington, to develop and

implement Reclamation wide policies and programs. Other regional staff have provided assistance in

preparing cooperative agreements and grants, developing educational outreach materials, and

performing miscellaneous administrative support.

Budget: The UC Region’s WCFSP is funded from two sources–Water Management and Conservation

(WMC) funds and Efficiency Incentives Program (EIP) funds. The WMC funds provide for the basic

WCFSP program activities and administration, including technical assistance. Financial assistance for

certain selected activities is also provided with WMC funds. The EIP funds were the principal source of

financial assistance. Throughout the UC Region, WMC expenditures amounted to about $1,476,900. 

Of that amount, $314,200 supported 21 selected financial assistance activities.

The EIP funds are used exclusively for financial assistance that is provided in the form of grants and

cost-shared cooperative agreements. One or more times each year, depending upon available funds,

the UC Region calls for proposals from districts and other water-related organizations. In these

proposals, the organization requests financial assistance to conduct an activity in one of the WCFSP’s

four areas of emphasis. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis so all proposals are evaluated and

ranked. The number of highest-ranked proposals that are funded each cycle depends upon the amount

of funds available. About 46 proposals totaling $685,300 were funded in fiscal year 2000.

Program Accomplishments: This past year, the WCFSP has committed considerable time and

resources to encourage and assist districts in preparing water management and conservation plans. 

Fifty seven districts are required to prepare and submit plans. To date, four districts have submitted

final plans and another nine have submitted draft plans for our review and suggestions. However, as

many as 48 districts have committed to prepare and submit plans before the December 31, 2001

deadline. The WCFSP staff members are working with the un-committed districts to encourage them

and offer assistance. Interestingly, other water organizations not required to submit plans have

requested and received assistance in preparing plans. This past year, the WCFSP has provided either
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program 7

technical or financial assistance to a total of 49 districts and other water organizations that are

preparing plans

Water education for both youth and adults is an important component of Area Office WCFSPs. The

WCFSP staff has been active participants and organizers of numerous water fairs and other educational

efforts. Technical and financial assistance by the WCFSP is helping nine different organizations

develop a variety of water education materials. The WCFSP is providing financial assistance to about

18 state, local, and private water education activities, including Project WET and the National Energy

Foundation. The WCFSP is providing funding to three research projects that are examining landscape

water use issues. This research will ultimately provide information to help homeowners and landscape

managers use water more efficiently.

The ultimate goal of the WCFSP is for districts to implement efficiency improvement measures. The

WCFSP has provided technical and financial assistance to six districts to improve their water

measurement capabilities. Three districts are receiving assistance in implementing improved

management measures. A typical improvement is the adoption of computerized water accounting and

billing. The WCFSP is providing assistance to five districts to modernize various components of their

distribution systems.

The WCFSP supports a variety of projects that demonstrate efficient water management practices to

both urban and agricultural water users. Funds are being provided to support construction of one new

Xeriscape garden. Nine activities are demonstrating efficient agricultural water use practices. These

include irrigation methods, cropping practices, and the use of soil amendments. 

In addition to the new activities described above, about 95 similar activities that were started in prior

years were active in fiscal year 2000. Some of these activities were finished during the year. Others

are expected to be finished in the next several months.

During fiscal year 2000, the Upper Colorado Regional

Coordinator took the lead in updating and revising Achieving

Efficient Water Management: A Guidebook for Preparing

Agricultural Water Conservation Plans, Second Edition. This

guidebook describes the planning process and helps water

districts prepare their water management and conservation

plans. It has been distributed to numerous organizations

located throughout the 17-western United States.

Program Evaluation: By the end of the fiscal year, the

regionwide WCFSP was fully staffed with capable and dedicated

individuals. Local managers are now recognizing the agency’s

commitment to the WCFSP and are providing additional staff

support to the program. Regionwide funding for the WCFSP

was adequate.

Each Area Office WCFSP has been active in all four areas of

emphasis. They are also focusing more attention to working with districts to get water conservation

plans prepared and submitted. Agreements have been completed to get additional planning assistance

from several state and Federal agencies. As local coordinators worked with the districts, they found

considerable initial resistance by the districts to accept assistance from Reclamation. With continued

effort by the coordinators, more districts are now requesting assistance from Reclamation. In addition,

recent interest in financial assistance has been increasing, suggesting that more districts are becoming
8 Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000

more serious about preparing plans. Where coordinators have been providing direct assistance to

districts in preparing plans, they find that the process is much more time consuming than originally

anticipated. As a result, fewer plans have been completed than expected. However, more financial

assistance is being provided to help some districts utilize consultants in the preparation of water

conservation plans.

As stated above, the preparation and submission of water conservation plans by districts is a high

priority. To help achieve this, Reclamation has committed staff to assist the districts. The following

tables show to what extent each Area Office is responding individually and the UC Region is responding

collectively.

Program Outlook: The Area WCFSP’s are planning to expand emphasis on the preparation of water

conservation plans and to provide the needed planning assistance. Thus, emphasis in other areas may

be somewhat diminished. Eventually, as more water conservation plans are prepared, emphasis will

shift to implementing the plans. The Area WCFSP work plans for fiscal year 2001 and beyond

anticipate about the same level of staff utilization as in fiscal year 2000. However, projected budget

tightening will probably reduce the amount of financial assistance that will be available in the future.

Summary Tables: The following tables summarize the activities of the WCFSP in the Upper Colorado

Region during fiscal year 2000.

Staff Resources

AAO PRO WCAO R.O. Total

Total number of Reclamation staff days

planned for FY 2000 475 550 713 350 2,088

WCFSP Coordinator Staff days used 125 211 436 193 965

Support Staff days used Area Office 313 335 295 943

UC Region 50 18 162 230

Denver 0

Total number of Reclamation staff days used

in FY 2000 438 596 749 335 2,138

Estimated number of

staff days provided by

other organizations

Federal Agencies 60 60

State Agencies 320 100 420

Water Districts 200 200

Soil Cons. 

Districts

30 84 114

Universities 60 50 110

Schools 10 10
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program

9

Funding Resources for Fiscal Year 2000

WMC Funds EIP Funds

Program

Totals AAO PRO WCO R.O. Total AAO PRO WCO Total

Annual appropriation 441,500 326,100 555,400 203,000 1,526,000 338,500 148,800 168,300 655,600 2,181,600Carryover from prior years 13,900 55,300 8,000 2,700 79,900 20,000 9,500 700 30,200 110,100Transfers in or out -37,300 -27,600 -46,900 -17,000 -128,800 -128,800Total funds available for FY 2000 418,100 353,800 516,500 188,700 1,477,100 358,500 158,300 169,000 685,800 2,162,900Program administration and technicalassistance Staff salaries and overhead 239,400 192,000 349,200 170,300 950,900 1,300 1,300 952,200 Travel 14,900 7,000 12,300 2,200 36,400 300 300 36,700 Materials, supplies, and otherexpenses

52,300 38,000 69,000 16,100 175,400 4,900 700 5,600 181,000

 Total program administration and technical assistance 306,600 237,000 430,500 188,600 1,162,700 4,900 2,300 7,200 1,169,900Financial assistance contracts Planning 5,000 62,500 27,500 95,000 85,000 25,000 25,000 120,000 325,000 Demonstration 5,000 10,300 4,000 19,300 84,000 15,000 5,500 104,500 123,800 Implementation 20,000 25,000 20,000 65,000 65,000 50,000 25,000 140,000 205,000 Education/training 81,500 19,000 34,400 134,900 119,100 66,000 18,500 203,600 338,500 Total financial assistance 111,500 116,800 85,900 314,200 353,100 156,000 169,000 678,100 992,300Total WCFSP Expenditures for FY2000

418,100 353,800 516,400 188,600 1,476,900 358,000 158,300 169,000 685,300 2,162,200
10 Water Conservation Field Services Program FY 2000
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 11

Local Program Description

The Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Albuquerque Area Office (AAO) in Albuquerque, New

Mexico, serves most of New Mexico, and portions of Southern Colorado, and West Texas. Within this

service area, the Area Office administers water delivery or repayment contracts with 18 separate

organizations. The Area office also works closely with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer’s

Water Conservation Program and is participating with the Western Colorado Area Office and the

Eastern Colorado Area Office under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Colorado

Water Conservation Board. We are also following developments in the Texas State Legislature

associated with legislation concerning water planning and conservation initiatives.

The Albuquerque Area Office’s WCFSP strives for a multi-faceted approach covering all areas of

assistance and cooperation. 

Program Resources

Staff

The Area Office’s WCFSP efforts continued to grow in FY2000 with existing and newly-developed

partnerships with organizations such as the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, the State of

Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the New Mexico

Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts. The Area Office’s

WCFSP Team consists of .7 FTE for the WCFSP Coordinator, .2 FTE for a technical support position

in the El Paso Field Office, and one full-time Water Conservation Specialist in the Area Office’s Water

Resources Management Division.

A table summarizing both estimated and actual use of staff resources is included in the previouslypresented summary tables.

Budget

The Albuquerque Area Office WCFSP used a variety of program funds in FY 2000. Budgeted funds are

included in the Water Management and Conservation (WMC) fund or the Reclamation Law

Administration fund (allocated to administer the Reclamation Reform Act). Efficiency Incentive Program

(EIP) funds are centrally budgeted and are allocated to the individual regions by the Commissioner's

Office. Each region determines how EIP funds will be allocated to the Area Offices. The UC Regional

Water Management Coordinator and the individual Area Office WCFSP Coordinators have agreed to

WATER CONSERVATION FIELD SERVICES PROGRAM

Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Colorado Region

Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2000

Albuquerque Area Office Report
12 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

allocate the bulk of the EIP funds received from the Commissioner on a competitive basis from

proposals solicited from water districts and other water management entities. 

The Budget Resources Table in the Summary Tables Section of this report shows in some detail how

funding was allocated to the various WCFSP activities. Nine technical assistance cooperative

agreements were funded directly through the Area Office’s discretionary budget. Fifteen financial

assistance agreements were selected and funded through the UC Regional EIP on a competitive basis. 

The Area Office also funded the continuation of the cooperative agreement with the New Mexico Office

of the State Engineer to provide a staff position for a joint water education program. The Area Office

programed a total of $418,100.00

AAO WCFSP Expenditures for FY 2000 are as follows:

-Salary and overhead $239,400

-Travel 14,900

-Materials and other expenses 52,300

-Cooperative agreement with NMOSE 50,000

-AAO Discretionary Conservation

 Agreements 61,500

$418,100

The AAO awarded 15 water management and conservation projects totaling approximately $196,000

through proposals solicited and received from area water districts and entities under the Upper Colorado

Region’s Efficiency Incentive Program. A description of those projects can be found in the following

sections. The AAO WCFSP presently has approximately 45 active cooperative agreements in

progress.

Program Accomplishments

All districts under water supply contract with Reclamation were contacted and offered water

conservation planning assistance in FY2000. Districts have been more receptive to updating water

conservation plans with water management accountability becoming an issue under state laws and

public concerns. 

Water management plan development and implementation by AAO districts is key to accomplishing

water management goals. Other emphasis areas (education, demonstration, and implementation) of

emerging technologic and conservation practices, must be part of an overall strategy to be successful. 

In most AAO districts, there exists major opportunities to plan and implement water measurement,

pricing incentives, and new technologies and operation improvements to achieve efficient water

management.

Water Management and Conservation Planning Assistance

This year, the Water Conservation Field Services Program has funded two water management plans

that are complete and submitted for review to Reclamation this year. These plans were submitted by

Reeves County Water Improvement District #1 and Lea County Water Users Association. 

Tierra y Montes Soil & Water Conservation District: This District is preparing a Water Conservation

Plan that will include input from local ditch (acequias) leaders and water users in San Miguel County. 

Acequias are historic irrigation ditches which are community based and traditionally Hispanic. The
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 13

goal is to provide a plan useable to all users and to encourage irrigation practices which will result in

significant water conservation and economic benefits.

Village of Cimarron: The Village of Cimarron is developing a Water Management Plan that will fit the

needs of the community. Public meetings are being held to get citizen participation. This plan will help

to prevent the drastic measures the village faced during the drought of 1996.

Village of Pecos: The Village of Pecos is developing a Water Conservation Program that will provide a

metered structured rate system that will encourage water conservation. A water conservation ordinance

will be proposed, water conservation materials will be distributed in English and Spanish, and an

education program aimed at high school students will be developed.

City of Santa Fe: A Water Management and Conservation Plan is being developed by the City of

Santa Fe to include: Aquifer recharge, storage options, Community outreach and education programs,

structured water rates, maximizing water reuse and/or return flows, identifying pertinent uses for treated

effluent and establishing appropriate rates for its use.

Santa Ana Pueblo: The Pueblo of Santa Ana is preparing an agricultural water management and

conservation plan for the arable lands within its boundaries. The Pueblo’s lands are intersected by two

water sheds and comprise nearly 75,000 acres.

Valley Improvement Association: Valley Improvement Association has developed a draft Water

Management and Conservation Plan that meets the Bureau of Reclamation’s guideline’s. The goals are

to develop a plan for the Rio Grande Utility Corporation (RCUC) to better understand past water uses,

facilitate more efficient and effective management, improved planning for future growth, help RCUC

customers and reduce per capita water use. 

City of Espanola: The City of Espanola, New Mexico is preparing an up-to-date water management

plan as per Bureau of Reclamation guidelines. The City’s goal is to write a plan that meets all current

State and Federal requirements and provide water conservation education and information to the

community.

Pojoaque Valley Irrigation District: The District is preparing a Water Conservation plan that meets

all current State and Federal requirements. By implementing this plan the District will ensure that its

water resources are managed wisely and used efficiently.

Arch Hurley Conservancy District: The District has retained a consultant to assist in preparing a

Water Management/Conservation plan that meets all current State and Federal requirements. By

implementing this plan the District will ensure that its water resources are managed wisely and used

efficiently.

Town of Belen: The Town of Belen is developing a Water Management/Conservation Plan that fits the

needs of the community. Public meetings are being held to get citizen participation.

Conservation Demonstration Assistance

Socorro S&WCD Drip System Demonstration and Research: This project is a demonstration

project showing the benefits of using drip irrigation over sprinkler and flood irrigation. The ultimate

objective is to show farmers the savings in terms of lower water use and increased yields by using drip
14 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

irrigation methods. Immediate plans are to provide three tours for farmers and other interested groups

of the project site.

New Mexico State University (NMSU) Drip Irrigation System: The Albuquerque Area Office

provided $15,000 in 1999 to NMSU for the installation of drip irrigation facilities on lands within the

extension service jurisdiction in Artesia, New Mexico. The drip irrigation facilities are installed. NMSU

has had some problems with iron eating bacteria, rabbits, and gophers on this project. But the lessons

learned from overcoming these problems will be useful for other entities who will be using drip irrigation

in the area.. This project is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2001.

Lea County Soil and Water Conservation District - Drip Irrigation System: Lea County Soil and

Water Conservation District has received $10,000 to install a drip irrigation system. This project is

scheduled for completion in late winter or early spring of 2001. Plans are to irrigate 5 acres using the

drip irrigation and well water from the Ogallala Aquifer. Since water supply from the Ogallala Aquifer is

diminishing, farming using conservation techniques like drip irrigation is encouraged.

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) - Installation of Weather Stations: The AAO provided

$10,000 in funding to the Elephant Butte Irrigation District for the installation of two weather stations. 

The in-kind services provided by EBID includes the purchase of an additional weather station for $5,000,

as well as maintenance for the three weather stations. The weather stations will be part of the

Agricultural Water Decisions Supports (AWARDS) program that Reclamation is developing along with

NMSU. The AWARDS Program evaluates weather conditions in near real time and calculates the

evapo-transpiration of plants. This information will be made available to farmers via the Internet which

will allow the farmers to order water according to weather conditions and needs of plants. This project

is scheduled for completion in September, 2001.

Texas A&M Extension Service–Developing and Establishing Guidelines for Landscape

Irrigation with Reclaimed Saline Water: The Albuquerque Area Office provided funding to Texas

A&M Extension Service to study which plants and soils could best use sewage effluent water made

available under Title 16 funding. Texas A&M has published guidelines for sewage effluent use by lawn

keepers of golf courses and other turf owners using information from this research. Also under this

program, maps were made and are available to the public showing soil types of the El Paso Area. 

Workshops to promote water reuse for landscape irrigation will be conducted in 2001.

El Paso County Planning Department–Grey Water Re-Use Project: The Water Conservation Field

Services Program awarded $25,000 to El Paso County Planning Department to develop a grey water reuse demonstration project. The objective is to use treated grey water from a community service center

to water landscape shrubs and the lawn of an adjacent playground. Also, El Paso County Planning

Department is planning to install low-flush toilets at the community center. This project will be

completed by September, 2001.

La Union Soil and Water Conservation District--Holistic Irrigation Technologies: Reclamation

provided $25,000 to La Union Soil and Water Conservation District for Holistic Irrigation Technologies

(HIT). One of the goals of the HIT is to scientifically determine the water and chemical needs of crops

by monitoring the stress levels of plants through sensing and photographing the amount of infra-red and

near infra-red light emitted by the leaves. Recommendations for fertilizer, water, pesticides, and other

crop needs can be made by noting the change of the emitted infra-red and near infra-red light from the

plants. This information is provided in a service available to the farmers via the Internet. La Union Soil

and Water Conservation District and the National Resource Conservation Service have managed the

program, and the project has been funded since April, 1998. Reclamation has added funds to the

program every year because of the increasing number of farmers participating in the project.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 15

An installed reach of “Fast Ditch” ditch liner

La Acequias de la Otra Vanda: The Fast Ditch

Company in conjunction with the Natural

Resources Conservation Service and local Soil

and Water Conservation District, is

demonstrating the use of a “Fast Ditch” ditch

lining system. The demonstration project will

evaluate the ease of installation, durability,

flexibility, and cost of installation and

maintenance of the lining system as compared to

the conventional concrete ditch lining methods. 

The Water Conservation Field Services Program

provided major funding for the project. Research

and evaluation of this ditch lining system is ongoing. 

Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly: The principle focus of this project is to provide water budget

information in the form of a water model to focus groups involved in the Middle Rio Grande Regional

Water Plan. The project will allow groups to see the model demonstrate the current situation as well as

what might happen if certain adjustments are made such as: conservation, recycling water, increasing

efficiency, changing uses, etc.

Installation, Monitoring High Tech. Systems (Chavez County): This project is a demonstration

project showing the benefits of using high tech equipment to increase yields and reduce water

consumption in the farming areas of Chavez County. The project is using Graphical Information System

(GIS) , Infra-red photography, Global Position System (GPS), soil sampling, leaf tissue analysis, and

tensiometers.

Conservation Measure Implementation Assistance

Reeves County Water Improvement District #1(Reeves County)–Replace Control Gate at

Balmorhea Lake: Reclamation has a cooperative agreement for $10,000 with Reeves County to

replace a control gate at the Balmorhea Lake. This project was identified as a high priority item in the

water conservation plan submitted by Reeves County on September, 1999. This project is still in the

planning stage, but estimated completion is Fall of 2001.

Taos Valley Acequias Association: The purpose of this multi-year project is to design a model for

Acequia (Spanish community irrigation ditches) Water Conservation Programs; establish conservation

programs for the 90 acequias of the Taos Valley and Rio de Chama regional Acequia associations;

create regional Acequia water banks to serve the water information management needs of the

Acequias, state, and the public, develop regional Acequia Geographic Information Systems.

City of Santa Fe: This cooperative agreement supports the development of a brochure describing the

criteria for landscaping and irrigation standard for any properties being dedicated to the City of Santa

Fe. The irrigation standards will meet or exceed the Uniform Plumbing Code and may be used by other

entities besides the city of Santa Fe.

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District: The automated control installations are being made at two

diversion sites. These activities and other progressive water measurement and management activities

will be included in a complete water management plan to be developed by the District. Implementation

of these measurement programs will promote water conservation.
16 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

Adults being trained in the use of Water Education Trailers

Education, Training, and Technology Transfer Assistance

Waste-management Education & Research Consortium (WERC)--Tri-City, Tri-State, Bi-National

Water Festival: Waste-management Education & Research Consortium (WERC) is a entity whose

participants are New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining

Technology, Navajo Community College, Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and

Sandia National Laboratories. WERC is the managing entity of the annual Tri-City, Tri-State, BiNational water festival which focuses on water education and conservation for elementary, middle

school, and high school students. Reclamation participates in this activity by providing $20,000 in

funds for this year’s festival and $20,000 for last year’s festival. Also, Reclamation manned a booth

with a display during the water festival that highlighted our activities.

The Tri-City, Tri-State, Bi-National Water Festival is unique because it focuses on water conservation

issues in Mexico and the United States. The festival has had an attendance of 10,000 students both

this year and last year. Locations of the festival were Las Cruces, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, and

Juarez, Mexico.

Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District–Best Management Practices: This project

highlighted best management practices with emphasis on water conservation activities for senior high

students. Selected senior high students participated in a camp and toured water conservation projects

in the Carlsbad area. Lectures discussing water conservation practices such as the Holistic Irrigation

Techniques and drip irrigation were conducted. Reclamation provided $7,000 in funding for this project.

Rio Grande County Museum: The principal focus of this project is to raise consciousness by

compiling, archiving, and presenting all available information in ways that a broad audience can learn

more about this complex resource and it’s proper stewardship.

Mobile River Study Centers: The Mobile

River Study Center’s Water Education

Trailers are educational tools which provide

demonstrations of river and riparian

education for school children. The trailers

also provide public information and training

on river systems to teach teachers and other

interested personnel. Soil and Water

Conservation District, state, federal and other

personnel are trained on the use, care and

curriculum of the trailers. These personnel

are also provided information for

administration, storage, and maintenance of

the trailers. This project was made possible through cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation,

Natural Resources Conservation Service, State of New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and the New

Mexico Association of Conservation Districts.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 17

Closeup view of trailer layout

New Mexico Water Dialogue: The

activity, a series of articles, will

disseminate information about sound water

stewardship principles or practices. The

articles will contribute to communication

about the principles and practices, and

improved understanding of them, among a

wide range of constituents.

Children’s Water Festival: The main

purpose of this activity is to educate

students about water and its relationship to

other human and natural resources in a fun

and interactive atmosphere. The Children’s

Water Festival provides effective community

education about water by teaching children

and enabling them to educate their friends, parents, and other family members.

New Mexico Office of the State Engineer: Activities for this cooperative agreement included

developing a Water Conservation Guide and holding a conservation workshop to assist small and

medium-sized municipal water suppliers with developing a water conservation component for their water

management plans.

Entranosa Water & Wastewater CO-OP: The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to implement

some of the educational requirements of the Entranosa Water Conservation Plan. Specifically, to

reinforce the traditional water conservation techniques and practices of the region and to introduce new

residents to the concept of conservation and to explain why they are important.

Rio Grande Community Farms: Farmers are being educated about the different efficient systems by

demonstrations i.e., solar-powered surge valve; and three different types of drip systems A) surface, B)

subsurface, and C) subsurface with mulch. The farmers will also be shown how to monitor their water

use as a help with their management. 

City of Las Vegas, NM Water Department: Expected result of this activity is to educate the broader

community of Las Vegas, New Mexico on: wise water use, drought awareness, water consumption

surcharge and rebate incentive programs, water harvesting, retro-fit and low water kit programs, and

Xeriscape landscaping.

Program Evaluation

Water management challenges in the AAO include development and implementation of quality water

management plans and maintaining good working relationships with irrigation districts and other water

entities to pursue joint water efficiency initiatives.

Several projects were developed with the irrigation districts along with a sprit of partnership. We have

provided assistance to several districts and municipalities for preparation of water management plans

and fourteen are in progress. These working relationships require continued contact and maintenance.

Staffing commitment to the AAO WCFSP has continued with a full-time Water Management Specialist

in our Albuquerque office, 0.70 FTE in the El Paso office, and approximately 0.50 FTE for the AO
18 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

coordinator, as well as agreements with the States of Colorado and New Mexico and NRCS to provide

program support.

Program Outlook

As in FY2000, the FY2001 program will prioritize maintaining working partnerships with the irrigation

districts, states, and municipalities, develop relationships with Native American Pueblos, and

development of water management/conservation plans for irrigation districts and M&I water providers

which receive water under delivery contracts with Reclamation.

Other components of the program (demonstration and implementation) should be associated with the

long-term plan. The AAO plans to continue to expand partnerships with NRCS and soil and water

conservation districts in the spirit of the “Bridging the Headgate” MOU, especially on farm and irrigation

system water efficiency improvements. A FY2001 schedule of AAO WCFSP directed at accomplishing

the four areas of program emphasis is as follows: Education, Implementation, Planning, and New

technologies. Cooperative agreements that will be awarded for 2001 are as follows:

ENTITY ASSISTANCE TYPE

City of Belen Water Conservation Plan

Ft. Sumner Irrigation District Water Conservation Plan

De Baca Soil & Water Conservation District Education

City of Las Vegas, New Mexico Education

New Mexico Highlands University Education

Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District

(Albuquerque)

Education

Valley Improvement Association (Los Lunas) Implementation

New Mexico Museum of Natural History Education

ARCH Hurley Conservancy District Implementation

Ft. Sumner Irrigation District Education/Implementation

New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts Education

Upper Hondo Soil & Water Conservation District Implementation

Carrizozo Soil & Water Conservation District Education

Central Valley Soil & Water Conservation District New Technology

Children’s Water Festival Education

Xeriscape Conference Education
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 19

Water Conservation Planning

To achieve this initiative, Reclamation has entered into an on-going agreement with the New Mexico

Office of the State Engineer entitled “Water Management Program for Acequia Organization” which will

provide water management planning and technical assistance to improve water use and efficiencies for

acequia organizations in New Mexico. Additionally, the AAO will offer conservation planning

assistance to all of the remaining districts in our area which are under water delivery contracts with

Reclamation. This action is intended to meet Reclamation’s GPRA goal of the development of

completed plans from all water districts by the end of FY2001. 

The AAO will provide funding and/or technical support for water conservation plan preparation in 2001 for

the following districts and municipalities: ARCH Hurley Conservancy District, Carlsbad Irrigation

District, City of Albuquerque, City of Espanola, Conejos Water Conservation District, El Paso Co. WID

#1, Elephant Butte Irrigation District, City of Elephant Butte, Ft. Sumner Irrigation District, Udspeth

County C&RD, Reeves County WID #1, Pojoaque Valley Irrigation District, Santa Ana Pueblo, City of

Santa Fe, Town of Belen, Town of Taos, Valley Improvement Association, Vermejo Conservation

District, and the City of El Paso, Texas.

Conservation Demonstration

Conservation demonstration and conservation measure implementation projects will be considered for

funding under Reclamation’s Efficiency Incentive Program. Prioritization will be given to those projects

which are components of a long term plan. 

The AAO, through existing and expanded partnerships under our recently signed MOU’s with the

Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts,

will proactively seek joint activities for conservation demonstration and implementation projects. 

The AAO has made contact with several Native American Pueblos under the Efficiency Incentive

Program to promote technical and financial assistance and training under the AAO-WCFSP. We plan

to continue a proactive approach in conjunction with the AAO Native American Affairs Coordinator to

provide assistance to two or more Pueblos in New Mexico in FY2001.

Education, Training and Technology Transfer

These activities will be accomplished through several programs which will include the following:

1. An Acequia Water Management Workshop will be conducted by Reclamation and the New

Mexico Office of the State Engineer for the New Mexico Acequia Commission in the fall of 2001. This

workshop will include sessions on water rights, crop selection, rodent control, noxious and alien weed

control, organic certification, vineyards, and water control technologies. We will also present

information regarding financial and technical assistance.

2. Through our interagency agreement with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, the

AAO will participate in funding for conservation education to accomplish our common objectives in this

area. Goals for 2001 include:

a. Provide support for joint Office of the State Engineer - Reclamation Water

Management Workshops and water conservation education water fairs in New Mexico.
20 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

b. Work with schools and municipalities to develop and implement water conservation

education materials and programs including “water wise” activities.

c. Serve as Office of the State Engineer and Reclamation representatives for Project

WET in New Mexico.

FY2001 Staffing and Funding for WCFSP

The projected AAO staffing for the WCFSP include .7 FTE AAO Water Management Coordinator; 1.0

FTE Water Management Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico; 0.2 FTE Water Management

Specialist in El Paso, Texas. Discussions are underway on a potential joint agriculture water

conservation position under the Bridging the Headgate MOU. 

Technical assistance will be provided by Reclamation’s TSC under service agreements to furnish onsite water control and measurement training to irrigation districts. In addition, under agreements with

the State of New Mexico and NRCS, the AAO will fund activities through partnerships with these

organizations. 

Program Direction and Long-Term Goals

1. Complete all required Water Management Conservation plans in accordance with guideline

standards by end of FY2001.

2. Maintain working relationships with the states of Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico in

pursuing the Water Conservation Education and Technology Development and Transfer Programs. The

New Mexico Office of the State Engineer has expressed an interest in partnership for a statewide Water

Measurement Program which is needed in New Mexico. The AAO proposes to target providing

technical and other assistance for this program.

3. Continue long-term development of WCFSP activities with the Native American Pueblos in

New Mexico.

4. Work with districts toward implementation of program elements in their water management

plans when they have been developed.

5. Facilitate water efficiency projects that could be funded by M&I interest to provide sharing of

the water savings to growing cities and towns.

6. Continue to enhance working relations and develop joint projects with NRCS, NMACD and

local soil and water conservation districts under the guidance of the Bridging the Headgate MOU.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office 21

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status

Upper Colorado Region, Albuquerque Area Office

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

Arch Hurley

Conservancy District

Tucumcari 41,400 3/92 Y District is contracting consultant to

write plan. Plan will be developed

by 12/30/01

Carlsbad Irrigation

District

Carlsbad 25,100 4/92 Y District is contracting with

consultant. Plan scheduled for

11/01.

City of Albuquerque San Juan -

Chama

750,000 5/92 Y City has completed some plan

components. Reclamation is

currently working with the city to

complete final plan.

City of Espanola San Juan -

Chama

12,171 Y City has entered into an agreement

to write plan. No target date has

been set to provide plan

Conejos Water

Conservation District

San Luis

Valley

81,000 8/87 Y Conejos District has submitted a

draft plan. Reclamation will review

and provide comments.

El Paso Co. WID No.1 Rio

Grande

76,133 8/00 Y Completed plan received. 

Comments were provided by

Reclamation

Elephant Butte Irrigation

District

Rio

Grande

102,000 8/89 Y Plan preparation underway. 

Scheduled for completion 7/01.

City of Elephant Butte Rio

Grande

N City has submitted plan draft. 

Reclamation will review and

provide comments

Fort Sumner Irrigation

District

Fort

Sumner

65,000 10/90 Y District is under agreement to write

plan and is currently doing so.

Hudspeth County C&RD Rio

Grande

18,342 Y Draft plan under review by

Reclamation.

Reeves County WID

 No. 1

Balmorhea 10,608 9/00 Y Completed plan received. 

Comments were provided by

Reclamation.

Middle Rio Grande

Conservancy District

Middle Rio

Grande

89,652 4/92 Y Reclamation has sent a letter to

M.R.G.C.D. to provide plan

assistance. Reclamation will be

scheduling a meeting to discuss

options.

Pojoaque Valley

Irrigation District

San Juan -

Chama

2,768 6/87 Y District is under agreement to write

plan and is currently doing so.

Santa Ana Pueblo Middle Rio

Grande

N Pueblo has entered into an

agreement to write plan. No target

date has been set to provide plan
22 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Albuquerque Area Office FY 2000

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

City of Santa Fe San Juan -

Chama

98,928 Y City is under agreement to write

plan and is currently doing so.

Town of Belen San Juan -

Chama

6,900 Y City is under agreement to write

plan and is currently doing so.

Town of Bernalillo San Juan -

Chama

8,000 Y Reclamation has sent a letter to

Bernalillo to provide plan

assistance. No response has been

received. Reclamation will be

scheduling a meeting to discuss

options.

Town of Taos San Juan -

Chama

5,350 Y Meeting has been scheduled to

discuss plan preparation.

Valley Improvement

Association

Middle Rio

Grande

6,500 N Association has submitted draft

plan for approval from Reclamation

Vermejo Conservation

District

Vermejo 7,379 4/92 Y District has agreed to write plan as

required. No target date has been

set to provide plan.

Village of Cimarron Cimarron 925 N Village has an agreement to

develop and write plan and is

currently doing so.

City of El Paso, Texas Rio

Grande

700,000 9/00 Y Completed plan received. 

Comments provided by Reclamation

1A plan is required by either the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 or by specific contract provisions.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 23

Joe Whittaker - Technical Assistance (and all

around nice guy!) - (801) 379-1169

Janice Richardson - Water Conservation Field

Services Program Coordinator - 801-379-1069

Florence Stepp, Education Specialist - 

(801) 379-1240

Local Program Description

Reclamation’s Provo Area Office, headquartered in Provo, Utah has implemented a local WCFSP. The

Provo Area Office serves most of Utah and parts of Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming. The service

area for the Provo Area Office includes the following Utah counties: Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber,

Morgan, Davis, Summit, Tooele, Salt Lake, Wasatch, Duchesne, Uintah, Daggett, Juab, Millard,

Sanpete, Utah, Carbon, Emery, Beaver, Sevier, Grand, Iron, Piute, Wayne, Garfield, San Juan, and

Kane. Counties served in Nevada include Elko and White Pine. Idaho counties within the service area

include Oneida, Franklin and Caribou. Wyoming counties include Sweetwater, Uinta, Lincoln and

Sublette.

Introducing the Provo Area Office Water Management Team

WATER CONSERVATION FIELD SERVICES PROGRAM

Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Colorado Region

Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2000

Provo Area Office Report
24 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

Jurisdiction of the Provo Area Office

Problems and Goals Applicable to the WCFSP

A major goal of the Provo Area Office WCFSP is to have more districts prepare and implement water

management and conservation plans. Another goal is to have districts and other water users

implement good water management practices and programs where they have not been in use

previously. A third goal is to develop a better understanding of good water use practices by the public. 

A fourth goal is to provide water management educational opportunities for children.

Participation in the WCFSP by districts and others is voluntary. Their participation is encouraged by

the technical and financial assistance and other incentives provided through the WCFSP. We are

actively encouraging the districts to get involved in water management plan writing and offer program

services to them. Since the program is locally-based, we can tailor program services and assistance to

meet unique local needs. Because of the WCFSP flexibility, imaginative partnerships are being
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 25

developed with others (federal, State, and local agencies; universities; schools, etc.) to mutually

strengthen each other’s programs.

The Provo area office jurisdiction includes highly urbanized areas experiencing explosive growth along

the Wasatch Front in Utah and rural economies relying on agriculture, mineral extraction, and tourism. 

These trends, coupled with desert climate, but seemingly abundant mountain snowfall complicate

perceptions and practices. The State of Utah has actively supported improved water management and

conservation.

Conservation Issues to be Addressed

The local WCFSP is intended to address local problems, needs, and opportunities. Local stakeholders

have an opportunity to provide input during the process of developing the annual area office WCFSP

plan. Several issues involving local problems, needs, and opportunities are being identified at this time. 

Conservation Planning Assistance: About 23 districts are required to prepare and submit water

management and conservation plans. The table on page 34 contains a summary of districts and the

status of their plans. During FY 2000, several “draft” plans were submitted for review and comment. 

Numerous one-on-one meetings took place to provide technical assistance, comments and

reassurance that they were on the right track.

The recently revised “Guidebook” and computer software were also provided to any entity requesting

assistance.

Conservation Demonstrations: Project operators vary widely in water management skills and

understanding. Some of the Reclamation projects are operating with the original equipment and water

use paradigms from the 1920's and 30's. Others use state-of-art electronic control to manage high

value municipal and industrial supply and distribution systems. At times, some portions of the project

lands do not receive timely delivery of water. At other times, there are system spills. 

Farm operators use a variety of irrigation practices. On-farm irrigation practices in some districts reflect

irrigation technology from the 1850's with little change, while other farmers have adopted sprinkler and

drip application methods. Vehement adherence to traditional methods restricts willingness to adopt

newer technologies. High capital costs and lack of understanding of the potential benefits also limits

change. The demonstration of newer practices and technologies are needed to show benefits of

improved water use and to shift old paradigms.

Effective long-term storage and distribution projects have created an illusion of plenty in a culture that

exists at the edge of a desert. Household and commercial irrigation practices based on the notion of

abundant water have led to very high per-capita consumption and widespread inefficient water use. 

Urbanization of former agricultural lands have forced shifts in production areas and differing acceptance

of previous practices such as return flows, spills, and deep percolation.

Conservation demonstration activities provide technical and financial assistance to districts and

interested third-party participants for the demonstration and evaluation of effective water management

measures. As previously noted, effective water management measures may be unknown or

misunderstood by local water users. As a result, their adoption may be resisted by those water users. 

The availability of technical assistance and financial grants or cost sharing is intended to encourage

local water users to evaluate and adopt more efficient water management measures and practices.
26 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

Conservation Measure Implementation: Many operating practices and procedures, as well as

system facilities, in use by project operators and water users are often far behind the state-of-art. 

Some sound water management practices are nonexistent on some projects. The role of the WCFSP

in this area of emphasis is to provide some technical expertise and limited funding to get the process of

change started.

Conservation measure implementation activities are intended to provide incentives for water users to

implement measures that have been selected as components of a water management or conservation

plan. These activities will either supplement an organization's technical expertise through technical

assistance or provide "seed money" to get the implementation of a measure started. Major system

rehabilitation and modernization activities are beyond the scope of this program. However, water users

are still encouraged to pursue these activities when other sources of funding are available.

Education, Training and Technology Transfer: Project operators vary in skill and understanding of

good water management practices. Training for irrigation distribution system managers and staff is not

readily available. What training there is available requires long-term, time commitments. Lack of

information concerning training opportunities makes it difficult for system operators to obtain knowledge

of technology and systems. 

Likewise, farmers' understanding of good irrigation practices varies greatly. The Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) have an

aggressive on-farm technology transfer program which operates through Resource Conservation

Districts throughout service areas. The NRCS and UACD technicians are respected in the agricultural

community and have a high level of organizational support. University Extension Service programs

already exist in all counties within the office area which can be utilized by local districts and farmers to

improve their use of water. The opportunity exists to expand partnerships between NRCS, UACD,

water districts, Soil Conservation Districts (SCD’s), local work groups, Reclamation, universities, and

farmers to demonstrate innovative on-farm irrigation practices in a variety of local conditions and

operating regimes. Reclamation can support these partnerships through existing programs and

organizations while reaching local water use leaders whose influence is widespread among other

irrigators in their communities.

Further, significant segments of the public do not understand how their water use habits impact local

water supplies. The Utah Water Conservation Forum is an alliance between industry, academic

institutions, government, and water users whose purpose is to promote the wise use of Utah water

resources. The Forum’s activities include education, consulting, technology transfer, public awareness,

and sponsoring research specific to Utah water needs and problems. By participating in and supporting

the Forum, Reclamation can leverage water conservation information transfer and public education.

The State of Utah has adopted water education as science core curriculum for grades 4-12 in public

schools. The Utah Division of Water Resources has a major long-term commitment to water education

in Utah through Project WET which provides in-service training and materials to teachers for use in their

classrooms. By supporting the State of Utah in its water education program, Reclamation and its

districts can reach large audiences with a consistent message without the expense of uniquely

designed and implemented local programs. Expanding coordination to Project WET programs in

Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada, Reclamation can use established, functioning programs to reach children

and their families in areas where our presence has been limited in the past.

Education, training and technology transfer activities provide cost-sharing incentives to districts and

interested third-party participants for the planning and conducting water user specific and general wise

water use education programs and activities. Financial assistance will provide flexible site-adapted
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 27

Classroom demonstration of “Water, Water Everywhere”

activities to obtain specific expected results. The purpose of this component of the WCFSP is to

encourage districts and other organizations to participate in water education activities within their

service areas. Assistance is provided to agencies or groups having regional or state-wide audiences. 

Assistance may include such activities as:

1. Irrigation application workshops for farmers using project water.

2. Conservation inserts or mailers to customers.

3. Water fairs conducted for school age children

or adult audiences.

4. Cooperative sponsorship of Resource

Conservation District Field Days and

Demonstration activities. 

5. Preparation of conservation-related materials for

public conservation promotion.

6. Assistance in funding in-school education

programs such as Project WET or "Learning to be

Water-Wise."

7. Cost sharing for expenses for district

operations and management staff to participate in

Irrigation Management short courses or workshops

at the Irrigation Training and Research Center or

International Irrigation Center.

8. Preparation and display of conservation presentations and materials at fairs, trade shows,

workshops, meetings, and conventions relating to conservation activities.

Program Resources

Staffing

The Provo Area Office continues to utilize an interdisciplinary team approach to provide WCFSP

services to water users and interested individuals within its jurisdiction. The WCFSP is directed by a

full-time coordinator who serves as the Water Conservation and Management Team leader. Team

members are drawn from existing Provo Area Office staff on an as-needed basis to meet the needs of

the districts. Skills not available locally are obtained from other Reclamation offices, the Technical

Service Center, universities, cooperative extension service, cooperating water districts, state water

resource agencies, other government agencies or community volunteers. Where appropriate, the Provo

Area Office is working cooperatively with other Area Offices to provide WCFSP services in locations

where area office jurisdictions are divided.

Staff activities have concentrated on direct visits to water customers to encourage and assist in water

conservation plan preparation. Other activities included organizing and presenting training sessions,

soliciting demonstration partners and venues and implementing demonstration projects. Each of these

activities involved the use of professional staff time to meet the needs of the water districts. Continuing
28 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

Gordon Yonker, UACD Executive Vice President, is

presented with the Commissioner’s Upper Colorado

Regional Conservation Award by Jay Henrie from the

Provo Area Office

administration of existing demonstration projects and public involvement activities will also be included

in the activities of the WCFSP staff in the future. In addition to the full-time WCFSP coordinator, the

program has and will continue to require clerical, technical, professional, and supervisory support. The

collective number of Reclamation staff days totaled 600 for FY2000 at a cost of $193,300. 

Expenditures for travel, materials, supplies and other expenses totaled $45,923.

Budget

The Water Management and Conservation (WMC) fund and Efficiency Incentive Program (EIP) funds are

the basic sources of funds for the WCFSP. Individual Area Office WCFSP Coordinators allocate the

EIP funds on a competitive basis. Depending on the financial relationship existing between

Reclamation and their employing agencies, some work tasks may be covered by cost reimbursement

or service-for-fee agreements. Some activities may be supported by grants or cost-sharing

arrangements. The Technical assistance cooperative agreements are to support on going activities. 

Financial assistance contracts for planning, demonstrations, implementation and education/training

totaled $205,618 for FY2000. 

Partnerships

A key to the successful implementation of the WCFSP is the development and expansion of

partnerships. Partnerships are required at every level of program involvement. The purpose of

partnerships is to define agenda, synthesize action, and collaborate in goal achievement. 

In order for partnerships to be effectively used, the needs, characteristics, and goals of potential

partners must be known and understood. Once the mutual benefit of partnership is identified, the

interpersonal relationships need to be nurtured to develop trust and confidence. Partnership activities

are dynamic and must change to meet the evolving needs of all partners.

The Provo Area Office partnerships include: the Natural Resources Conservation Service, University

Extension Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah Division of Natural Resources, Utah Water

Conservation Forum, Wyoming Water Resources

Center, Local Water Districts, Forest Service,

Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service,

Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of

Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of

the Airforce, local Soil Conservation Districts,

Universities, Indian Nations, Internal Reclamation

Partners, “Bridging-the-Headgate” which includes

National Association of Conservation Districts,

National Association of State Conservation

Agencies, and most recently the National Water

Resources Association, Resource Conservation and

Development, the Utah Partners for Conservation and

Development and last but not least, the Utah

Association of Conservation Districts.

Each fiscal year the Commissioner of Reclamation

presents regional water conservation awards which

recognize outstanding efforts shown in water

conservation efforts. This year the Provo Area Office

nominated Gordon Younker, Executive Vice
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 29

Cooperative partnership effort for the community

President of the UACD for his outstanding efforts to educate soil conservation district supervisors and

their district members within the State of Utah, about Reclamation and the WCFSP.

Program Accomplishments

A summary of efforts include the following:

! The Provo Area Office participated with other Area Offices within the UC Region in an open

season for proposals of activities that promoted water management and conservation planning,

implementation of water management and conservation planning, demonstration of water

management/conservation measures or technology and water management/conservation

education or research activities.

! Support for Reclamation’s WCFSP, nationwide, was provided at the National Resource and

Conservation Development Conference held in Ogden, Utah.

! Personal contacts were made with 18 districts to assist in the review of draft plans, provide

technical assistance or provide the opportunity to participate in the financial assistance

proposal process for dollars to prepare water management and conservation plans.

! Several scholarships to ITRC courses, Reclamation’s 2000 Water Management Workshop, the

annual Water Systems Operation and Maintenance Workshop, the Basic Principles and

Developments of Flow Measurement sessions, Canal Automation and Flow Measurement and

a Geosynthetics Seminar were funded through the WCFSP. These scholorships were provided

to UACD, NRCS and irrigation district managers.

! Provided technical assistance to several counties with canal automation, real-time monitoring

and water measurement techniques.

! Participated in the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, the Utah Water Users, and the

Rural Water Users Annual Conventions. Provided presentations and display booths

highlighting the WCFSP and the Bridging-the-Headgate partnership. 

! Achieving Efficient Water Management: A Guidebook for Preparing Agricultural Water

Conservation Plans manuals, Water Measure Manuals and Incentive Pricing Handbooks for

Agricultural Water Districts were distributed throughout the Area’s office boundaries.

.

! Participated in the Orem City, and

Timpanogos/Nebo Soil Conservation

District’s Urban Water Conservation

Fair with a booth display, handouts

and tips for efficient water use

methods were provided.

! The Provo Area Office officially

became a signatory partner in the

Utah Partners for Conservation and

Development. This partnership’s

mission is to provide unified

leadership to achieve a more productive Utah in cooperation with property owners/users while

keeping in harmony with a sustainable quality environment for all Utah citizens.
30 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

Attendees at the Bridging-the-Headgate Conference

came from the 17-western States

Bridging-the -Headgate conference held in Park

City, Utah

! Gave several “Bridging-the-Headgate” presentations in cooperation with the other BTH partners

to promote BTH activities at local water users meetings.

! The 2nd “Bridging-the-Headgate” conservation partnership meeting was held in Park City, Utah. 

Assistance with conference preparation was provided.

Specific activities include: 

Water Management and Conservation Planning Assistance

Financial and technical assistance was provided to several irrigation companies, water conservancy

districts, and canal companies with FY 2000 funding. Several draft plans have been submitted for

review at this time. Five draft plans were submitted by “required” districts.

Conservation Demonstration Assistance

Weber State University: The Weber State University developed a water-wise demonstration garden

on campus. At the completion of this project they felt that the entire process of designing the

xeriscape, setting up the drip irrigation system, and putting in the plants etc. was an educational

experience in itself to the students and teachers that were involved. The University is developing a sign

that will explain principles of water conservation and xeriscaping.

Cedar City, Utah: Dollars were provided for a water system leak detection and repair program in Cedar

City, Utah. The goal of this activity was to reduce the amount of unaccounted for water in the Cedar

City culinary water supply system by 10 percent of the total water supply. 

Conservation Measure Implementation Assistance

City of West Jordan, Utah: A major goal of the City of West Jordan’s water management and

conservation plan was to implement a new water rate schedule. WCFSP funding was provided to:

1. make major computer software programming changes; 

2. redesign the city’s utility bills; 

3. install a weather station and establish a method to report evapotranspiration rates on customer’s

bills; 
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 31

4. experiment with various methods of data collection to determine the most efficient and effective way

to build the irrigation portion of the database; and 

5. develop formal responses to community concerns regarding water allocations.

Education, Training and Technology Transfer Assistance

Utah State University - Urban Water Analysis: Urban per capita water use in the State of Utah is

among the highest in the nation while Utah’s annual water supply is one of the lowest in the nation. 

Nearly two-thirds of the urban water use is attributed to landscape irrigation. Utah State University

performed an analysis of water districts in the Salt Lake Valley as to the feasibility of developing water

budgets given the structure of their billing data and the availability and accessibility of landscape area

for a given billing customer. The intent is to help communities to determine the amount of water

available to conserve and the feasibility of developing water budgets.

Utah State University - Avian Botulism Study: In 1997, 400,000 - 500,000 birds died of avian

botulism in the Bear River Delta of northern Utah. Utah State University conducted a study that

determined winter-spring precipitation amounts and summer streamflows could be used to predict the

outbreak occurrence. Preliminary data indicated that changes in water quality attributed to inflow

sources and/or basin characteristics may impact the ecology of wetland sediments and contribute to

outbreak initiation. The purpose of this project was to establish relationships between water and

sediment chemistry variables and water-level fluctuations in impounded marshes on the Bear River

Delta. Special emphasis concentrated on fluctuations attributed to irregular and high Bear River

streamflows. This information determined the effects of these environmental perturbations on the

probability of avian botulism outbreaks, and made water management recommendations aimed at

reducing their probability of occurrences.

Utah Water Conservation Forum: The Utah Water Conservation Forum provided spring and fall

workshops that were aimed at educating participants in water conservation management principles with

the goal of encouraging increased cooperation and collaboration between all interests, both private and

public. An annual conference with speakers and presentations that assist water districts and

municipalities in planning and implementing more effective water conservation management plans and

programs was held. Presentations were provided at various conferences, workshops and other

meetings that promoted water conservation management planning and programs.

Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) - Education Program: The UACD promoted

wise use of water through hands-on classroom presentations, county fairs, and natural resource

festivals by providing educational tools and activity funds for water quality and water conservation

educations programs. Three Enviroscape models, purchased to demonstrate water pollution and its

prevention, were effective in illustrating water conservation. An outreach program sponsored primarily

by UACD was used to educate high school students concerning forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife, and

wetlands management.

Utah Association of Conservation Districts - Billboard Project: This UACD project called for

education of the general public concerning water conservation in urban businesses, homes,

landscaping, etc., through an ad campaign concentrated on the Wasatch Front. A billboard ad was

chosen, with Reclamation’s approval, to be displayed in a high-traffic area of I-15. Approximately 1.7

million Utah residents regularly travel Interstate-15, resulting in exposure to billboard ads almost daily. 

Knowledge addressing water conservation/usage and suggestions in the “how to” process of

implementing that knowledge are considered to be major factors in accomplishing change in behavior

patterns of water consumption.
32 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

Our nation’s future water managers

UACD’s billboard advertisement

Otto Otter promotes canal safety

Utah Association of Conservation Districts - Annual Meeting: The UACD used its annual meeting

as an opportunity to educate Soil Conservation District supervisors and conservation partners and to

provide networking opportunities. The meeting, as well as continuing education throughout the year,

focused on: 

1. wise use and management of natural resources; 

2. methods of securing technical, financial and education resources to assess and address local

resource conditions; and 

3. coordination of conservation work on both private and public lands by encouraging cooperation

among conservation districts and public and private conservation agencies and groups. 

Reclamation also played a part in the activities by

providing a Water Conservation Field Services

Program booth with information on the WCFSP and

staff to answer questions.

Other worthwhile accomplishments

Water Fairs and Special Education Activities: 

The Provo Area Office participated in 7 Water Fairs

during fiscal year 2000. The purpose of a "Water

Fair” is to teach students the importance of water in

our lives and to give them an overview of all areas in

which water is used. Water fairs were sponsored

jointly by the Utah Department of Natural Resources,

Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Soil

Conservation Districts, Reclamation, Project WET

and many other State and local water-related

entities.

Orem City Urban Conservation Fair: Reclamation

participated in the Orem City Urban Conservation

Fair. This provided the opportunity to educate adults

and children on water conservation in the home and

on the landscape including the proper use of low

water use plants, and of course, Otto Otter was

there to help promote canal safety for children.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 33

The local Bridging-the-Headgate partnership (l/r) UACD, Ut

DWR, NASCA, NRCS, Ut Water Users, Reclamation

Fishing Day brings kids, Reclamation, and many other

partners together

Utah Envirothon: The Utah Envirothon is a competitive two-day state level natural resource education

event which tests high school students on their knowledge of natural resources in an outdoor setting. 

The five-member teams study throughout the year to prepare for the event. Teams are scored by a

panel of judges on 10-minute oral presentations on a subject related to a current environmental issue

and then participate in five in-the-field test stations to hear presentations by resource professionals and

then are tested on their knowledge in five study areas: forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife and a current

environmental issue. Following the state competition, the winning team goes on to a national

competition. Reclamation was invited and given the opportunity to participate, by judging this local

Envirothon competition. 

Con Amore Fishing Day: Reclamation, along with

many other partners, helped to sponsor the

Dinosaurland RC&D organized Con Amore Fishing

Day. Kids from local high schools near the rural

community of Duchesne, Utah spend a day bonding

with younger Con Amore children. The school works

with children who have developmental difficulties. The

local high school kids are involved as a great

opportunity for them to interact with these kids and

mostly because they can keep up with them!

Reclamation is always looking for opportunities to

participate in venues that help support the community 

and provide an entity, a face to these kids.

Program Evaluation

The Provo Area Office seems to be breaking through the barriers that previously existed with districts

since the WCFSP has come into existence. The water management presentations, booth displays,

workshops and financial assistance program has been very successful in gaining acceptance from

districts and gives the WCFSP exposure to numerous water user groups. Participating in UACD, the

Water Users and the Rural Water Users

Association conventions with display booths and

presentations that promote the WCFSP and

water efficiency has brought recognition and

interest from entities that were unaware of our

existence and the assistance that could be

provided to them through the WCFSP.

The “Bridging-the Headgate” partnership has

brought attention to the WCFSP from locally led

conservation leadership. Several presentations

have been made to conservation districts in Utah

to promote the WCFSP and to encourage
34 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

participation in the annual financial assistance proposal program.

Participation in community Water Fairs appears to be a great way to reach the general public with

water conservation messages that they can take home and use in their own homes and backyards. 

There appears to be a real need for public education in use of water as applied to agriculture and home

landscapes. Coordination of partnerships with districts and their communities could help educate both

the average home owner and agricultural communities alike. 

The Provo Area Office would like to promote it’s WCFSP through more participation and general

exposure in water conservation community efforts.

It is anticipated that additional staff and travel time will be needed for fiscal year 2001 as the districts

begin to develop their plans. Some districts are very small and will require more hands on assistance

than others through the process. Training has been provided to local consultants and they are providing

some technical assistance to the districts. We’re also working on an agreement with NRCS and UACD

for technical assistance to the districts. Also a large amount of time will need to be dedicated to

administering the cooperative agreements that are established through the WCFSP. 

Program Outlook

In fiscal year 2001 and beyond, the primary goal of WCFSP in the Provo Area Office will be to work

closely with districts required to submit and/or update their water management and conservation plans. 

We’re finding that there is a lot of interest out there through the efforts of the WCFSP in developing

water management plans. Developing partnerships is anticipated as becoming a very successful way

of assisting districts with their planning efforts. Financial as well as technical assistance will be

provided to districts to prepare their plans. Financial and technical assistance will also be made

available for the other three areas of the WCFSP in FY2001.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 35

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status

Upper Colorado Region, Provo Area Office

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

Bountiful Water Sub-CD SRPA - Weber

Basin

3,294 Y Say they’ve done one, but no

copy submitted

Bridger Valley Water Cons

Dist

Lyman 37,916 12/89 Y Declined assistance

Cottonwood Creek

Consolidated Irrigation Co

Emery County 5,161 07/87 12/01 Y Providing technical

assistance, working on at

own expense

Eden Valley IDD Eden 17,010 12/01 Y

Emery Water Cons Dist Emery County 18,775 05/87 12/01 Y Providing technical

assistance, working on at

own expense

Ephraim Irrigation Co Sanpete 7,661 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Farmington Area PID SRPA-Weber

Basin

2,768 12/01 Y

Haights Creek Irr Co SRPA-Weber

Basin

2,814 12/01 Y Declined dollar assistance

Hooper Irr Co SRPA-Weber

Basin

9,900 12/01 Y Working on in coop. with

UACD

Horseshoe Irr Co Sanpete 7,085 671 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Huntington/Cleveland Irr Co Emery County 11,609 07/87 12/01 Y Coop. agreement with UACD

& RC&D

Ogden River Wtr Users

Assoc

Ogden River 24,662 04/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Pr, Riv, & Mink Cr Canal Co Preston

Bench

5,571 10/89 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Provo River Water Users

Assoc

Provo River 48,156 05/87 12/01 Y Declined assistance

Roy WCSD #1 SRPA-Weber

River

4,072 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

South Cache Water Users

Assoc

Hyrum 6,800 12/01 Y

Springville-Mapleton Irr Co Strawberry

Valley

9,220 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Strawberry Highline Canal

Co

Strawberry

Valley

17,270 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement
36 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

Strawberry Water Users

Assoc

Strawberry

Valley

18.078 08/90 12/01 Y Declined assistance

Uintah Water Cons Dist Jensen Unit,

CUP

4,080 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Uintah Water Cons Dist Vernal Unit,

CUP

14,781 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Weber Basin Water Cons

Dist

WeberBasin 90,501 350,000 05/92 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Weber River Water Users

Assoc

WeberRiver 94,154 07/87 12/01 Y Under cooperative agreement

Metropolitan Water Dist of

SLC

Provo River 0 343,345 05/87 12/01 N Courtesy copy submitted 

Dutch John 12/01 N Providing technical assistance

San Juan Water Cons Dist 8,476 13,284 01/99 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Otter Creek Reservoir Co 06/01 N Under cooperative agreement

Central Iron County Water

Cons Dist

68,740 36,687 03/01 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Duchesne-Strawberry 70,420 0 03/01 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Weston Creek Irrigation Co 0 07/01 N Under cooperative agreement

South Bench Irrigation Co 04/01 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Independent Canal Co 2,713 0 02/01 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Fremont Irrigation Co 06/01 N Cooperative agreement

provided

Sanpete Water Cons Dist 101,760 17,513 05/00 N Cooperative agreement

provided

1A plan is required by either the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 or by specific contract provisions.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office 37

The End
38 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Provo Area Office FY 2000
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 39

Jackson Gulch Reservoir (Photo taken

10/13/2000) Vallecito Reservoir (Photo taken 10/13/2000)

Local Program Description

The Western Colorado Area Office (WCAO) serves western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and

northeastern Arizona, an area of over 49,000 square miles (see map below). The geographical

description of the area, from the Grand Valley in Western Colorado, to the rugged San Juan Mountains

in southwest Colorado, to the arid Colorado Plateau, is as diverse as the people who inhabit it. The

WCAO’s Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) provides assistance to over 20 irrigation

districts and 4 Native American Tribes in 17 Reclamation projects providing an irrigation supply to

approximately 352,900 acres and a municipal and industrial (M&I) supply to over 7,000 taps. Because

of geographical constraints, and to better serve our customers, the WCAO WCFSP consists of two

program coordinators; one located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and one located in Durango, Colorado. 

The WCAO is committed to improving water management by actively implementing the WCFSP.

Fiscal Year 2000 was a good year to promote effective water management and efficient water use. A

mild winter and a hot, dry summer made the 2000 water year one of the driest in recent history. Water

managing entities in the area did an excellent job of managing their water supplies. Many entities

benefitted from the technical and financial assistance they have recently received from the WCFSP. 

Newly installed water measurement structures, water management software, efficiency improvements

to delivery systems, and better informed water users all contributed to better overall project

management, which enabled most water users to receive their full supply of water, despite the dry

conditions. 

WATER CONSERVATION FIELD SERVICES PROGRAM

Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Colorado Region

Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2000

Western Colorado Area Office Report
40 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

Jurisdiction of the Western Colorado Area Office

The Durango Office’s WCFSP focuses on water management needs and issues in southwestern

Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and northeastern Arizona (in the Upper Colorado River Basin of

the Navajo Nation). The office serves eight water districts and four Native American Tribes. The size of

the irrigation districts range from 3,900 irrigated acres (Hammond Conservancy District) to 54,160

irrigated acres (Dolores Water Conservancy District). In Fiscal Year 2000, the Durango office

emphasized assisting water management entities in developing their respective water management

plans. This entailed working with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe on their plan for the Farm & Ranch

Enterprise, and initiating plans and obtaining commitments from the Dolores Water Conservancy

District, the Hammond Conservancy District, the Pine River Irrigation District and the Florida Water
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 41

Pat Page, left, and Dan Crabtree .... Water Management Coordinators

for the Western Colorado Area Office

Conservancy District. The Durango office was also involved in demonstration and implementation

projects as well as education and information programs. 

The Grand Junction Office assists 12

water user districts located in north and

west-central Colorado ranging from

Steamboat Springs (Stagecoach Reservoir)

to Bostwick Park (Silver Jack Reservoir)

near Montrose. The irrigation districts

range from 611 irrigated acres (Leroux

Creek Water Users Association) to 68,581

acres (Uncompahgre Valley Water Users

Association). During FY2000, the Grand

Junction office focused on finishing the

water management plan for the Silt Water

Conservancy District, developing a draft

plan for the Uncompahgre Valley Water

Users and starting plan development for

Bostwick Park and Crawford Water

Conservancy Districts, Grand Valley Water

Users, and Orchard Mesa Irrigation District. 

In addition, the Grand Junction Office was involved in various water education activities such as

childrens’ water festivals, conservation workshops, and presentations. The Grand Junction office was

also involved in demonstration and implementation projects with various districts. These projects

included remote controls for headgates, polymers to reduce canal seepage, and diversion

improvements. 

In FY2001 both offices will continue to place high priority on helping water districts develop their water

management plans.

Problems, Issues, Goals, and Objectives

In order to deliver an effective Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) it is necessary to

focus on the water management needs of the WCAO customers. These needs are wide and varied and

will continue to change as time progresses. Therefore, it is important that the WCFSP maintain the

flexibility necessary to remain effective as needs change. Continuous data gathering will be undertaken

in order to stay in touch with the current needs of potentially affected interests. The Area Office will use

various existing committees and forums to collect this information. These include meetings with local

agriculture committees; local Soil Conservation Districts; monthly and annual water user meetings; and

one-on-one contacts. As scoping information is collected, program goals and activities will become

more specific and focused. The WCFSP provides assistance in four main areas of emphases: Water

Management Planning, Demonstration of Innovative or Unique Measures, Implementation of Water

Management Measures, and Education and Information Outreach. Following is a summary of local

problems and goals the Area Office has identified to address in these four main areas of emphases:

Water Management Technical and Planning Assistance: The primary objective of the WCFSP is

to provide assistance in the development of more meaningful and implementable water management

plans. The WCAO WCFSP coordinators have concentrated their efforts on assisting those entities that

are required to develop plans pursuant to the Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) and/or through contractual

obligations in the form of repayment or water supply contracts with the United States. Within the
42 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

WCAO, 17 districts and 1 Native American Tribe are required to develop plans. The goal of the WCAO

WCFSP is to provide sufficient assistance to ensure that all these entities have an opportunity to

develop and submit effective water management plans by the year 2002. 

Water Management Implementation Activities: Some of the earliest projects in Reclamation’s

history are located within the Western Colorado Area . These include the Uncompahgre Project,

completed in 1909, and the Grand Valley Project, completed in 1914. Additionally, Federal

involvement in irrigation projects on the Navajo Nation near Shiprock, New Mexico, date back to 1904. 

Most of the remaining projects within the WCAO boundary are at least 30 years old. Consequently,

many of the water delivery facilities in the area need improvements and modernization. A goal of the

WCAO WCFSP is to provide assistance to irrigation districts, Native American Tribes, and local water

management entities to upgrade and improve their existing systems. The WCAO is also working with

these entities to upgrade their water accounting systems and methods to enable them to better

manage their water resources and overall projects. 

Water Management Demonstration: The demonstration of modern technologies and methods has

been, and will continue to be, an integral part of the WCAO WCFSP. As noted above, most of the

projects in the area are more than 30 years old and consequently, the delivery systems are outdated

and in need of repair or improvement. Furthermore, many farmers and urban water users are using

inefficient irrigation methods and techniques. Demonstration projects allow water management entities

and water users to see, first-hand, the benefits of utilizing new methods and technology. The WCAO

WCFSP partners with Federal, State, Tribal, and local water management entities to demonstrate new

irrigation techniques that are more efficient, less labor intensive, and that reduce non-point discharges. 

The new techniques and methods will enable water providers and users to save time and money,

increase crop yields, and improve water quality.

 

Water Conservation Information and Education: The service area of the WCAO, specifically

western Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, is experiencing tremendous growth. Regional water

supplies are being strained. In many cases this growth has caused agricultural lands to become

“urbanized.” Many new landowners are unfamiliar with irrigation methods, laws, and cultures. This

unfamiliarity can cause water management problems. Also, with the abundance of rivers, streams,

lakes, and reservoirs in the area, the perception is that water resources are plentiful. The fact remains,

however, that the region receives only 9 to 18 inches of precipitation annually. This misconception of a

water-rich region is yet another challenge that the WCFSP coordinators must overcome.

The WCAO WCFSP includes an education and information outreach program designed to educate

water management entities and the general public on water conservation and other water resourcerelated issues. The education and information outreach program targets users of all kinds; young and

old, agricultural and municipal, urban and rural. The goals of the program are to better inform the public

on water management and water resource issues and alternatives, educate district and tribal water

management staff on new specialized technologies and methods, and assist water management

entities in communicating with the public.

Program Resources

Staff

The Western Colorado Area Office, WCAO, has two full-time Water Management Coordinators, one in

each office, funded through the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP). Their main

responsibility is to provide and coordinate technical and financial assistance to water districts and
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 43

Native American Tribes. They are supported by a variety of Reclamation personnel in both offices,

including public information specialists, hydraulic engineers, geologists, water quality and NEPA

experts, civil engineers, contract specialists, and administrative staff. The Area Office Coordinators

also work closely with Coordinators from other parts of the State and Region. This cooperation and

communication ensures that the WCFSP will continue to be successful.

Budget

To carry out the WCFSP in 2000, the WCAO projected a need for 3.1 FTE’s and a budget of $557,500. 

The actual amount obligated in FY2000 was $516,525 and FTE usage was 3.25. 

Partners

The WCAO has worked with numerous non-Reclamation entities in order to make our program a

success. These include Natural Resources Conservation Service, Navajo Nation, Southern Ute Indian

Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Colorado Association of Soil Conservation Districts, various local Soil

Conservation Districts, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Soil

Conservation Board, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service,

Colorado Department of Education, non-profit organizations, municipalities, universities, and local

schools. The involvement of these entities ranged from participating in water festivals and other

education activities to providing technical assistance to districts for water management plan

development.

Other Programs

Other Reclamation programs have been used to assist in water management. For instance, in

Durango, the WCFSP coordinator continues to work closely with the Native American Affairs Program

coordinator to ensure that the assistance provided by the two programs meets the needs of the

requesting tribes. Partnerships with other Reclamation Area Offices and Regions have also been

developed to provide assistance to customers common to more than one office or region. 

Program Accomplishments

During Fiscal Year 2000, the Western Colorado Area Office (WCAO) provided direct technical and/or

financial assistance to 34 entities in western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and northeastern

Arizona. Among these entities were irrigation districts and Native American Tribes responsible for

supplying irrigation water to over 300,000 acres. The WCAO Water Conservation Field Services

Program (WCFSP) provided assistance in four areas: Water Management Planning,

Demonstration of innovative methods and technologies, Implementation of water management

measures, and water Education. Following is a summary of accomplishments in each of these

program emphasis areas for FY-2000: 

Water Management Planning

Before the initiation of the WCFSP, Water Conservation Plans, for the most part, were more like

operation and maintenance checklists, with primary emphasis on repairing existing features and

plugging leaks. Plans weren’t supported by Reclamation in that no real technical support or planning
44 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

One of 110 center pivot sprinklers on the Ute

Mountain Ute Farm & Ranch.

guidance was provided. A major goal of the WCAO is to improve the quality and number of meaningful

and implementable plans.

Plan requirements and a schedule of when plans are due have been discussed with all districts and

Native American Tribes who are required to develop water management plans. It is apparent that each

of the entities have raised their awareness of the fundamental water management measures. Two

entities have submitted final plans and Reclamation has reviewed them (Silt Water Conservancy District

and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe). Four entities are in the final stages of plan development and

submittal. These are the Smith Fork, North Fork, Bostwick Park, and Dolores Water Conservancy

Districts. The Florida Water Conservancy District, the Pine River Irrigation District, and the Hammond

Conservancy District have all initiated plan development and anticipate plan submittal by Fall 2001. All

districts (except the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District and the Montezuma Valley Irrigation

Company) who are required under RRA or contractually to submit plans have either done so or are in

the process of developing them. These districts are also doing such things as: appointing water

management coordinators, becoming more aware of the importance of water measurement, discussing

incentive pricing, and getting more involved in community water education.

The WCAO WCFSP also provides planning assistance to entities who are not required to develop

plans. The Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District developed a plan for the western portion of La

Plata County, Colorado, and submitted it in July 2000. In FY2000, five entities including, the Mancos

and Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy Districts, the Farmers’ Irrigation District, and the San Juan

River Dineh and Tsaile/Wheatfields Water Users Associations, received financial and technical

assistance for preparing plans, even though they are not “required”.

Examples of specific planning activities conducted in FY-2000 include:

Colorado Water Conservation Board: To help in the planning effort, a Memorandum of

Understanding between the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Reclamation Area Offices serving

Colorado was put into place during FY-1997. This agreement sets-forth a working understanding and

guidance for the delivery of water management programs for the State of Colorado and the Bureau of

Reclamation. The agreement was modified in FY2000 making available, a Reclamation employee to

assist districts in developing water management plans to fulfill the districts’ requirements under the

RRA. The agreement provides the basis for a long-term relationship between the State of Colorado and

Reclamation Area Offices within the state in accomplishing mutual objectives for water management

and conservation planning, education, and program implementation.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Farm and Ranch Enterprise: 

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Farm & Ranch Enterprise

submitted their updated water management plan in

December 2000. The plan, adopted by the Tribe and

signed by the Farm & Ranch General Manager and the

Tribal Chairman, now serves as the basis for annual

operating plans developed by the Enterprise. The plan is

unique in that it addresses both off-farm and on-farm water

management issues.

Bostwick Park Water Conservancy District: Bostwick

Park Water Conservancy District, through a cooperative

agreement, contracted with Earth / Stone Ltd., a private

consulting firm, to develop their water management plan. 
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 45

The plan was submitted and reviewed in August of 2000. The District subsequently revised and

finalized the plan and resubmitted it in FY2001. 

Smith Fork Water Conservancy District: The Smith Fork Water Conservancy District developed and

submitted a draft plan in FY2000. Their plan was developed by District staff. The plan is currently

being reviewed by Reclamation.

Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District: In July 2000, the Animas-La Plata Water

Conservancy District (ALPWCD) submitted a water management plan for the western portion of La

Plata County. While not required to develop a plan under RRA or through contractual obligations, the

District took a proactive approach in addressing the water resource issues in this very water-short part

of the county. The plan addressed the feasibility of a municipal water delivery system, the potential for

water savings through efficiency improvements, and the potential for new water storage reservoirs. The

District is in the process of hiring a water management coordinator for the implementation of plan

elements.

Grand Valley Water Users Association: The Grand Valley Water Users Association (GVWUA) hired

a consultant in FY-1998 to assist them in completing their water management plan. Through a

cooperative agreement with Reclamation, they will receive $5,000 for the consultant to develop a plan

that will fulfill the needs of the Association and RRA requirements. This planning effort continued in

FY2000.

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association: The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users are in the

process of developing their water management plan. Along with a written document, they plan to

include a multi-media presentation suitable for use at local service club meetings. Their first working

draft was submitted to Reclamation in October 1998. A second working draft was submitted in 1999 for

informal review. Work on the plan continued in FY2000. UVWUA recognizes the importance of a

document that describes agriculture as the economic backbone of Montrose and Delta Counties.

Mesa Water and Sanitation District: The Mesa Water and Sanitation District has been granted

financial assistance through the Efficiency Incentives Program to help them develop a water

management plan. Their District is located at the town of Mesa and does not receive water through a

Reclamation project and is not required to submit a plan. However, they are experiencing a lot of

growth and recognize the importance of a good water management plan. In 1999, they began their

planning effort by gathering pump yield data from their water supply wells. A draft plan was initiated in

FY2000.

Orchard City Irrigation District and North Fork Water Conservancy District: The Orchard City

Irrigation District and the North Fork Water Conservancy District are being assisted in plan development

by the Delta Soil Conservation District (SCD). A cooperative agreement between Reclamation and the

Delta SCD provides funding for plan development. A rough draft of the North Fork’s plan was submitted

in FY2000 and a final draft is in the works. Planning efforts are in full swing for Orchard City. Their plan

should be submitted well ahead of the December 2001 deadline.

California Polytechnic University: As part of the recovery program for endangered fish, the California

Polytechnic University (Cal-Poly) is doing a water management study for the Orchard Mesa Irrigation

District (OMID) under a cooperative agreement. With funding from the WCFSP, Cal-Poly has agreed to

gather additional public input at local District Board meetings and other data needed for a water

management plan. Reclamation is assisting OMID in completing their plan.
46 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

A packed audience listens intently during

the “Water 101" meeting.

Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District: The Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District, a

non-Reclamation district, has entered into a cooperative agreement with Reclamation to develop a water

conservation plan. The District has started a comprehensive watershed planning and management

process.

La Plata Soil Conservation District and San Juan Resource

Conservation and Development Council: Partnered with the

La Plata Soil Conservation District and the San Juan Resource

Conservation & Development Council to host “Water 101", a

public informational meeting for water users within the Florida

Project. Representatives from the Florida Water Conservancy

District, the Colorado Division of Water Resources, and private

ditch companies were on hand to give information and answer

questions. Approximately 80 people attended this meeting which

served as a kickoff meeting for the District’s water management

planning process. 

Hammond Conservancy District: During FY2000, the

Hammond Conservancy District, the Pine River Irrigation District, and the Dolores Water Conservancy

District initiated their respective planning processes. Their plans are anticipated to be submitted during

FY2001. 

Mancos Water Conservancy District and Farmers’ Irrigation District: The WCAO provided

financial assistance to 2 “non-required” entities in FY2000. Both the Mancos Water Conservancy

District and the Farmers’ Irrigation District entered into cooperative agreements with Reclamation for the

purpose of developing plans. The planning process for these plans has been initiated.

Navajo Nation - Water Users Associations: The WCAO has continued to support the formalization of

Water Users Associations on the Navajo Nation. A temporary board has been appointed to investigate

community interest in the formation of a water users association in the Shiprock, New Mexico, area,

and to draft a set of articles of incorporation that the Farm Board could then present for approval in a

series of public hearings. The farm boards are now awaiting action by the Navajo Nation legislature

which would allow them to collect water use fees from irrigators, thus giving them the necessary

revenue to operate and maintain their respective irrigation projects.

Tri-County and Collbran Water Conservancy Districts: The Tri-County and Collbran Water

Conservancy Districts were contacted in FY2000 to inform them of the assistance available for plan

development. They have both shown interest in entering into cooperative agreements to help in this

effort.

San Juan River Dineh Water Users Association: With technical and financial assistance from both

the WCAO and the Navajo Nation, the newly formed San Juan River Dineh Water Users Association in

Shiprock, New Mexico, is preparing a water management plan for the three Navajo irrigation projects

along the San Juan River (Fruitland, Hogback, and Cudei). The water users association was formed as

a result of technical and financial assistance provided by the WCFSP and Colorado State University

and is designed to act as a water managing entity that collects water assessments in order to operate

and maintain the irrigation delivery facilities.

Demonstration Activities

Many of the districts in Western Colorado have been in existence since the early 1900's and are using
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 47

Preparing the Diné College Demonstration farm

for it’s first planting.

In 2000 the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users sprayed a

polyacrylamide solution on 13 miles of canals and laterals

as part of a canal sealing demonstration.

outdated technology. Therefore, one of the primary goals of the WCAO’s efforts is to provide technical

and financial support to districts who are willing to try new technology. In FY-2000 the WCAO assisted

entities in the following activities:

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association: 

For the third year, the Uncompahgre Valley Water

Users are working on a demonstration project to show

how polyacrylamide (PAM) attracts sediment in water,

settles into cracks, and helps to seal ditches and

canals. WCAO has provided technical assistance by

installing observation wells at selected locations. The

demonstration sites are located in different types of

soils ranging from cobble rock to fractured shale. 

Water levels have been measured in the wells over the

course of the irrigation season under reaches of canal

that haven’t been treated. Many of these sections

were treated early in the irrigation season and

monitoring will continue. 

In cooperation with the National Irrigation Water

Quality Program (NIWQP), the Water Users applied

PAM to about 13 miles of earth laterals in the

Sunflower Drain watershed area. This area had

previously been monitored by the USGS to obtain

baseline data for selenium and salt loading. Preliminary results from this demonstration showed about

a 30% decrease in selenium loading to the Gunnison River. 

Colorado State University: Through a separate cooperative agreement, Reclamation is assisting

Colorado State University in studying the effects of polymer use during corn seed drilling. The polymer

may hold moisture near the seed and improve germination rate and yields. Preliminary results from

2000 showed that the use of cross-linked polymer can reduce the number of required irrigations but

maintain the same yield.

Colorado State University Research Farm: The WCAO

entered into a cooperative agreement with Colorado State

University’s Research Farm in Yellow Jacket, Colorado, for

improving infiltration through the use of PAM and

dammer/diker technology. The purpose of the project is to

demonstrate the effectiveness of these new technologies to

help reduce erosion and increase water infiltration. The project

is ongoing.

Diné College: Providing technical and financial assistance to

Diné College to establish a multi-irrigation demonstration farm

near Shiprock, New Mexico. The college has hired a farm

manager and the farm should be operational in FY2001. 

Implementation Activities

Through the WCFSP, the WCAO provides technical and financial assistance to entities for the

implementation of water management measures. The WCAO stresses the implementation of the
48 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

Ramp flume constructed in the Florida River

below Florida Farmers Diversion Dam.

fundamental measures identified in the Guidebook. These are: water measurement, incentive pricing,

education, and the establishment of a water management coordinator. Of these, water measurement

is probably the most widely adopted measure among districts on the Western Slope who have planning

requirements under the RRA. Many districts are managing projects which have been in operation for

over 50 years. In some cases they have no measuring devices, or they are improperly installed or in

disrepair. Several of these entities have benefitted from the WCFSP by entering into cost-share

agreements with Reclamation to repair, improve, or install water measuring devices. Few, if any,

Western Slope districts have implemented true incentive pricing measures. However, some districts do

charge an “overage” if the individual water user uses more than his/her allotment for the year. Also,

some districts have a “small-tract policy” in place to address the urbanization of agricultural lands in

their area. Districts are becoming more active in disseminating information in an attempt to inform and

educate the public. Six water conservancy districts in southwestern Colorado provide funding to the

Southwestern Water Conservation District’s Water Information Program (WIP). The program was

initiated by the districts to assist with the distribution of information to the public on water-related

issues and to educate water users on the prudent use of the resource. In addition, many districts

(Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, Dolores and Mancos Water Conservancy Districts,

and Southwestern Water Conservation District) are becoming more active in local water festivals.

As districts complete their planning efforts, Reclamation will be providing technical and financial

assistance for plan implementation. Although some measures may be beyond the financial scope of

the WCFSP program, WCAO is committed to assisting districts to every degree possible so that water

management measures will be implemented to their fullest extent.

Examples of specific implementation activities conducted in

FY-2000 include:

Florida Water Conservancy District: During FY2000, the

Florida Water Conservancy District received financial

assistance to install a ramp flume, complete with a remote

monitoring device, at the Florida Farmers Diversion Dam. The

equipment allows for real-time water measurement data to be

collected which will improve the management efficiency of the

project.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 49

The improvements to the Silt Diversion were

completed in FY2000

One of four key spill sites to be measured on the

Hammond Main Canal.

The Silt Diversion before improvements

Silt Water Conservancy District: The Silt Pumping Plant, along with other Project facilities, was

constructed in the mid-1960's. Water has been diverted using a “rock and brush” diversion. The river

channel has scoured downward 3 to 4 feet since the Project was constructed and in order to continue

to divert water, it became necessary to move the diversion further upstream. High spring flows routinely

washed away parts of the diversion requiring the use of heavy equipment for reconstruction. 

To remedy the problem, the District constructed a small concrete diversion which establishes a

permanent control point on the river. The project, completed in 2000, was a cooperative effort between

the NRCS, Reclamation, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District. The new system worked

well during its full irrigation season. 

Hammond Conservancy District: The WCAO is providing assistance to the Hammond Conservancy

District for the installation of remote data recording devices to record and monitor flows at key

wasteways along the district’s main canal.

Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise: One of the fundamental measures addressed in the

Ute Mountain Ute Farm & Ranch Enterprise’s water management plan was information and education

for staff and local water users. The WCAO provided financial and technical assistance to help the Tribe

implement this portion of their plan, including support for the

third annual SWAGMan (Soil, Water, and Groundwater

Management) Symposium. 

Education/Information Activities

There are countless benefits associated with a water

education and information program. Not only do education

activities provide a great way to convey a water management

message, but they also provide a chance to meet and work

with staff from other agencies and develop working

relationships with other unlikely partners. The basic goals of
50 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

Teachers “surfing” the world wide web to learn

about natural resources.

the WCAO education program are to: Educate new water users about the irrigation culture in Western

Colorado, bring project operators up-to-date in skill and training, inform water users about water

management issues and alternatives, provide a chance for Reclamation staff to be better informed and

involved in the WCFSP.

The WCAO participates in several water festivals each year because we believe that one of the most

effective ways to have an educated adult population is to educate people before they become adults. In

this way, we not only educate the future adults but kids have a tremendous ability to bring information

home to their parents and influence them as well.

Examples of specific education and information activities conducted in FY2000 include:

Children’s Water Festivals: WCAO co-sponsored and participated in six children’s water festivals in

Durango, Cortez, Montrose, Delta, and Grand Junction in Colorado, and in Farmington, New Mexico. 

Through these events over 3,600 4th and 5th grade children were exposed to a wide variety of waterrelated concepts.

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts: Along with the Eastern Colorado Area Office and

the Albuquerque Area Office, WCAO signed a “Bridging the Headgate” Memorandum of Understanding

with the Colorado Association of Soil Conservation Districts on May 14, 1999. The purpose of the MOU

is to provide a framework for cooperation that supports common goals and interests in the development

of information and education projects that will further the conservation of the natural resources of the

State of Colorado. A Cooperative Agreement was signed to provide $15,000 per year for the following

three years to CASCD for the purposes of carrying out activities identified in the MOU.

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts -

Colorado Teachers Conservation Workshops: The

WCAO has assisted the Colorado Association of Soil

Conservation Districts in planning and implementing the

annual Colorado Teachers Conservation Workshop from 1996

through 2000. The WCAO WCFSP and the La Plata Soil

Conservation District hosted the event in Durango in 1999

and will do so through 2001. The purpose of the workshop is

to get K-12 teachers interested in and knowledgeable about

natural resources so that they may, in turn, incorporate

natural resource issues into the classroom curriculum. Over

20 different local, state, tribal, and federal agencies have

partnered with Reclamation in organizing and conducting the

event which has drawn over 80 teachers in the last two years.

Water Management Workshop Scholarships: WCAO sponsored several training scholarships to

help water managers attend Reclamation’s annual Water Management Workshop and other technical

workshops.

Southwest Water Conservation District: In support of the Southwest (Colorado) Water Conservation

District’s Water Information Program, the WCAO entered into a multi-year cooperative agreement with

the District. The WCAO will provide financial and technical assistance for implementing education and

information activities provided by the Water Information Program.

Ute Water Conservancy District: In partnership with the Ute Water Conservancy District,

Reclamation continued sponsorship in the development and implementation of a water education
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 51

curriculum called Water Ways for third and fourth graders in Western Colorado. The curriculum is

standards-based and will address multiple scholastic subjects, math, science, social studies, reading

and more. Interest of the program has spread across the state. Due to this increased interest, the

Colorado Water Conservation Board has also joined in the sponsorship of the program and it will be

reaching many more students throughout Colorado in the near future.

Dolores Water Conservancy District: The WCAO partnered with the Dolores Water Conservancy

District and the Colorado State University Research Center in Yellow Jacket, Colorado, to conduct a

one-day irrigation management workshop. The WCAO and DWCD offered incentives for area farmers to

attend by crediting a small portion of their allocated Dolores Project water for the 2000 water year. The

WCFSP Coordinator in Durango was among the presenters at the workshop.

Special Water Presentations: In FY2000, the WCAO WCFSP coordinators continued to promote the

WCFSP by giving presentations, writing articles in conservation-related periodicals, and staffing

displays at many different venues. Presentations were given at the Ute Mountain Ute SWAGMAN

symposium, the Navajo Nation Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting, and the Four

States Irrigation Council annual meeting. Articles describing the WCFSP and highlighting WCFSP

accomplishments were prepared and published in CASCD’s “The Conservator” , and the Water

Information Program’s “Water Letter”. The WCAO developed an interactive exhibit which highlights

WCFSP accomplishments and showcases examples of educational computer software funded through

the program. The program was displayed at the Colorado Water Workshop, the Colorado Association

of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting, the Southwest Water Conservation District annual seminar,

and the La Plata County Fair.

Colorado Foundation of Agriculture: The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, in cooperation with

Reclamation, continues development of an information booklet on the Colorado River for distribution to

Colorado students. In addition, a multi-media CD on Colorado Water is being developed for free

distribution to Colorado schools.

Ute Water Conservancy District, et al - Fifth Grade Water Education Program: The WCAO

partnered with Ute Water Conservancy District, the City of Grand Junction, Public Service Company of

Colorado and the Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation to deliver a water and energy conservation

program to area 5th graders. Over 1000 students participated in the program which provided water and

energy conservation kits for household improvements, including low-flow showerheads and sink

aerators. It is estimated, that over a 5 yr period, this year’s program will save over 400 acre feet of

water and make over $800,000 in family disposable income available for other use. 2000 marked the

third year of Reclamation’s sponsorship of this program. Each year the program is implemented, an

additional 400 acre feet of estimated savings should be accrued.

Durango Nature Studies, et al: The WCAO partnered with Durango Nature Studies and the U.S. 

Forest Service to conduct water education activities and develop water-related curriculum to local

elementary schools, and to conduct a class entitled “Environmental Education Made Easy”, a one-day

workshop designed to help natural resource experts convey their experiences and expertise to children

and adults. Over 50 agency personnel attended. 

Youth Water Education Programs: In addition to the above mentioned activities, the WCAO

partnered with other environmental education coordinators from various agencies to educate youths and

adults on natural resources. Activities included presentations to schools (both in the classroom and

outdoors), participation in the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s “Teaching Environmental Science Naturally”

(TEN’s) program, funding a workshop sponsored by Durango Nature Studies for home-schooled

children, and supporting programs such as Project WET and River Watch.
52 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

Program Evaluation

Planning

We’ve emphasized that our major focus is the need for sound water management planning. As such, in

FY2000, almost 60% of the financial assistance contracts awarded by the WCAO were for planning

assistance. There are several districts and Native American Tribes (Mesa Water and Sanitation

District, Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District, Bostwick Park Water Conservancy, North Fork

Water Conservancy District, Orchard City Irrigation District, Grand Valley Water Users, Silt Water

Conservancy, Uncompahgre Valley Water Users, Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Smith Fork Water

Conservancy, Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise, Florida Water Conservancy District, the

Navajo Nation, Animas La Plata Water Conservancy District, and Pine River Irrigation District) that have

either already submitted their water management plans or are actively developing them. Each of these

recognizes the importance and benefits of a good plan. We have contacted other districts who also

recognize the need for a good plan and will be working on theirs in the future. The December 10, 1996

Reclamation Policy Memorandum which established the WCFSP specifies that “.... all districts will

have the opportunity to have plans updated no later than five years from the date of this policy.” Our

goal, then, is to work with each district in our area to ensure that they have this opportunity before

December 10, 2001. We have established a schedule for plan development, and, have encouraged

districts to seek help in the form of outside consultants and possibly university students in order to

reach the 2001 goal. We’ve made great strides toward reaching the 2001 goal and our commitment to

ensure water management plans are completed continues. 

Implementation and Demonstration

The implementation and demonstration portion of the WCFSP has helped a variety of entities with their

water management activities. The implementation and demonstration program has generated some

good water management activities that address the four fundamental measures and it has also provided

an opportunity for Reclamation to develop a working relationship with other entities and show that we

are serious about the program. Not all of these entities have been in the category of users that are

required to submit water management plans under the RRA. By working with these entities, we have

demonstrated the potential of the WCFSP and Reclamation’s commitment to the program. 

Implementation and demonstration activities have provided a means for districts to see what the

program is all about and the importance of developing sound water management plans. 

As water districts and Native American Tribes complete their water management plans required by RRA

and begin to implement them, funding will be shifted away from non-Reclamation areas and toward

these entities. Reclamation is committed through the WCFSP to help districts, either through

technical or financial assistance, in implementing their water management plans. This will require

funding and FTE’s above what we have had in the last two years. Future budget requests will reflect

this need. While the focus will be on assisting those entities who are required to develop plans,

Reclamation will, subject to available funding, also provide implementation assistance to those “nonrequired” entities who have taken the proactive approach and developed plans.

Most all of the demonstration and implementation activities planned for 2000 are complete or underway. 

A few projects are moving ahead slowly for various reasons. The Mesa Soil Conservation District

agreement for development of an educational waterpark which had been inactive for some time, has

begun the project and should complete it in the Spring of 2001. The same is true for the Dine’ College

Multi-Irrigation Demonstration Farm. It is anticipated that 2001 will mark the first growing season for

this project, located in Shiprock, New Mexico.
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 53

Education 

The year 2000 was another successful year in regard to water education. The WCAO participated in

many education activities for children and adults. Water festivals, workshops, one-on-one

presentations, and demonstration activities were conducted extensively. The Durango coordinator,

once again, did a tremendous job of organizing the 2000 Colorado Teacher’s Conservation Workshop. 

Held for the second time in Durango, the Workshop was an immense success. We continue to find a

tremendous need for water education in local schools. There is a great opportunity to educate young

people and adults about who we are, what we do, and the importance of good water management. A

localized water education curriculum for third and fourth graders has been developed and was a

success in the 1999-2000 school year. Education and information outreach are critical components of

a comprehensive water management program, however, it is a time consuming endeavor. The

coordinators must continue to balance resources between all four components (planning,

demonstration, implementation, and education) of the WCFSP. 

Program Outlook

Reclamation initiated the WCFSP in FY97. During that time WCAO water management coordinators

have focused on the promotion of the WCFSP and informing and demonstrating to water management

entities the assistance opportunities available through the program. The result of this approach, for the

most part, has been that districts have realized that the supportive and cooperative nature of the

WCFSP is far better than the regulatory approach that was first considered by Reclamation to mandate

water management plans. More and more entities are “buying-into” the program and it is recognized by

most of the districts as being a program that can truly benefit them. 

The primary goal of the WCAO WCFSP will be to work closely with those entities who are required,

either through RRA or contractually, to submit/update water management plans. Planning assistance

is currently being provided to16 of the 18 entities that are required to prepare a plan. Furthermore, as a

result of promoting the benefits of the program, 5 “non-required” entities continue to receive planning

assistance. Technical and financial assistance will continue to be offered to help districts plan,

develop, implement, and monitor effective plans. One way this will be accomplished is by providing

cost-share funds to districts to obtain the services of private consultants to help in plan development. 

As more entities develop water management plans, more effort (and money) will be directed towards

implementing water management measures identified in the plans.

While the main emphasis will be directed towards planning efforts with water districts, the WCFSP will

continue to cooperate with and support other water management entities, organizations, and

educational institutions whose goals are to promote, educate, demonstrate, and implement efficient

water use. Partnerships, both traditional (tribes, water districts, ditch companies, other federal

agencies, etc.) and non-traditional (school districts, soil conservation districts, non-profit entities) are

being formed. Reclamation’s name and logo are showing up in places that receive positive publicity

and support which can carry over to other programs and activities. In order to maintain the positive

program that the WCFSP has become, the prodigious support and commitment from the WCAO and

Reclamation management must continue.
54 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office FY 2000

Water Management and Conservation Plan Status

Upper Colorado Region, Western Colorado Area Office

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

Animas-La Plata Water

Conservancy District

N/A 10,000 N/A N/A N Submitted final plan in June

2000

Bostwick Park Water

Conservancy District

Bostwick Park 5,180 7/92 1/06 Y Final Draft submitted

Collbran Conservancy

District

Collbran 22,210 4/93 1/99 Y Plan initiated - Hiring

consultant to complete

Crawford Water

Conservancy District

Smith Fork 9,497 2/93 1/06 Y Draft Submitted

Dolores Water

Conservancy District 

Dolores 27,860 4,000

(est)

3/92 10/01 Y Plan initiated.

Farmers Irrigation

District

N/A 4,000 N/A N/A N Cooperative Agreement in

place. Plan has not been

initiated.

Fire Mtn. Canal &

Reservoir Co. *

Paonia 10,300 4/93 1/00 Y Rough Draft submitted -

Developed by Delta SCD

Florida Water

Conservancy District

Florida 18,665 3/92 12/01 Y Plan initiated.

Grand Valley Water

Users Association

Grand Valley 23,341 3/91 1/98 Y Initiated plan development,

gathering data, providing

one-on-one assistance

Hammond

Conservancy District

Hammond 3,933 3/92 10/01 Y Plan initiated. Public

meetings being held.

Leroux Creek Water

Users Association *

Paonia 611 n/a n/a N Plan in conjunction with

North Fork & Fire Mntn

Mancos Water

Conservancy District

Mancos 13,746 N/A N/A N Plan underway through

cooperative agreement

Mesa Water &

Sanitation District

N/A 328 N/A N/A N Plan Underway through

cooperative agreement

Montezuma Valley

Irrigation Company

Dolores 26,300 --- ? Y Plan has not been initiated. 

North Fork Water

Conservancy District *

Paonia 15,300 7/92 1/00 Y Rough Draft submitted -

Developed by Delta SCD 

Orchard City Irrigation

District

Fruitgrowers Dam 2,690 01/93 1/00 Y Being Developed by Delta

SCD
FY 2000 Water Conservation Field Services Program - Western Colorado Area Office 55

District Project

Acres

Served

M&I

Population

Last

Plan

Date

Next

Plan

Date

Plan

Req’d1

(Y/N) Comments

1A plan is required by either the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 or by specific contract provisions.

Orchard Mesa

Irrigation District

Grand Valley 10,027 4/87 1/01 Y Water Study by Cal Poly

Cal , Reclamation

completing

Pine River Irrigation

District 

Pine River 45,000 3/92 10/01 Y Plan initiated. Public

meetings being held.

San Juan River Dineh

Water Users

Association

N/A 13,680 N/A N/A N Plan initiated. Public

meetings being held.

Silt Water

Conservancy District

Silt 7,044 7/92 1/04 Y Complete

Tri-County Water

Conservancy District

Dallas Creek 5,000 taps 10/96 10/01 Y Plan submitted 10/96 under

Colorado Criteria - Plan

Update Underway

Tsaile/Wheatfields

Farm Board

N/A 800 N/A N/A N Plan underway through

cooperative agreement

Upper Gunnison River

Water Conservancy

District

N/A 60,000 N/A N/A N Plan underway through

Cooperative Agreement 

Uncompahgre Valley

Water Users

Association

Uncompahgre 68,581 3/93 1/98 Y Plan 50% complete 

Upper Yampa Water

Conservancy District 

Stagecoach 1,280 n/a n/a Y Determination needed as

to plan requirement.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Dolores 7,634 1,000

(est)

12/99 12/04 Y Plan received 12/99. 

Review has been made

and implementation has

commenced.