Park City and Snyderville Basin 

Water Supply Study Special Report 

Prepared by: Bureau of Reclamation 

Contributor: 

State of Utah Division of Water Resources 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Upper Colorado Region 

Provo, Utah February 2006 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Executive Summary 

Overview 

Historically, water suppliers in Park City and Snyderville Basin have relied primarily on 

groundwater for their municipal and industrial (M&I) water. Because of the extensive 

development of the groundwater sources, there is concern that there may be limited potential for 

additional development of the groundwater as a reliable long-term water supply. The recent 

drought (1999-2004) has raised further questions regarding the quantity and reliability of the 

existing groundwater development within the Basin. This problem is being compounded by the 

continuous rapid growth in the Basin, which has become a highly desirable residential and 

recreational community. 

There is significant local interest in determining the long-range water needs of the Basin and 

identifying feasible options to provide additional water for future needs. Over the past several 

years, government agencies and several private entities have explored various options to develop 

additional water supplies. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the overall water needs 

within the Basin had not been conducted, nor had a comparison between alternative plans been 

examined in an objective manner. 

In 2001, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) was funded and directed by Congress to 

conduct a feasibility study for Park City on water supply options, titled the “Park City Water 

Supply Infrastructure Study”. The COE completed significant work prior to Reclamation’s 

involvement. Page 120 of the FY 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference report 

states: “The conference agreement includes $500,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue 

a feasibility study of water supply infrastructure improvements in Park City, Utah.” Reclamation 

received additional funding in FY 2005 and FY 2006. This study is being conducted pursuant to 

the authority and with the funding provided in these appropriations. 

The purpose of this Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study is to evaluate the future 

water needs within the rapidly growing Park City and Snyderville Basin area and to formulate, 

compare, and prioritize options that could be pursued to provide for the M&I water needs 

expected through 2050. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the study. 

Projected M&I Demands 

The Park City and Snyderville Basin area is experiencing some of the fastest growth in Utah. 

This growth has included commercial, institutional, and residential development. The entire area 

is experiencing an accelerated change from a regional ski resort destination to a diversified yearround vacation and living community, as well as a bedroom community for the Salt Lake 

Metropolitan area. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Population within the study area is projected to increase from the present (2001) approximately 

24,000 to about 64,000 in 2030 and 86,000 by the year 2050. If per-capita use rates were to 

continue as at present, this increased population would result in an M&I demand of 

approximately 25,000 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 32,000 acre-feet per year by 2050. 

However, assuming current water conservation goals are met, the projected demands would be 

about 23,000 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 27,000 acre-feet per year by 2050. 

As explained in Chapter 4, additional demands have been placed on the system to meet in-stream

flow and wastewater dilution requirements (1,100 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 1,600 acre-feet 

per year in 2050), and to replace susceptible mine tunnel flows which have been relied on by 

Park City (2,000 acre-feet per year for both 2030 and 2050). These additional demands increase 

the projected water needs to 26,100 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 30,600 acre-feet per year in 

2050. 

Reliable Water Supply

Table ES-1 shows, by water provider, estimated annual water supplies currently available to 

meet M&I demands within the study area. This current long-term reliable water supply is 

approximately 14,000 acre-feet per year. Total current use is approximately 9,800 acre-feet, 

leaving a current reserve of about 4,200 acre-feet to meet fire suppression and other emergency 

needs. Chapter 4 presents a detailed discussion of the reasons for and the importance of this 

reserve. Also explained in Chapter 4 is the rationale for increasing the “reserve” need from the 

current 4,200 acre-feet per year to 6,500 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 7,500 acre-feet per year 

in 2050. 

TABLE ES-1 

2003 Annual Water Production Estimate 

(Units: Acre-Feet per Year) 

Water Supplier Total In-Basin

 (AF/Yr) 

 2001 Actual Use 

 (AF/Yr) 

Community Water Company 281 163 

Gorgoza Mutual Water Company 1,424 583 

High Valley Water Company 166 75 

Mountain Regional SSD 2,467 1,697 

Park City Municipal Corporation 5,716 4,728 

Summit Water Distribution Co. 3,340 2,065 

Summit Co. Service No. 3 203 80 

Timberline Special Imp. District 59 16 

Others 371 427 

Totals (Rounded) 14,000 9,800 

Surplus/Reserve 4,200 

Not included in the 14,000 acre-feet per year current supply are more recently developed water 

supplies and expected future in-Basin water development supplies. Those already developed 

include the 1,600 acre-feet per year supply provided by the recently completed Lost Creek 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Canyon Pipeline project and the 1,000 acre-feet per year imported by Park City from the 

Jordanelle Special Service District. These supplies are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 4. 

Additional in-Basin supplies, assumed to be developed annually by the year 2050, include 300 

acre-feet additional groundwater and 500 acre-feet conversion of agricultural-use to municipaluse. Including these developed and anticipated future in-Basin supplies, and excluding the 

reserve need, the projected reliable water supplies of 9,800, 10,700, and 9,900 acre-feet per year 

for years 2001, 2030, and 2050, respectively, are required as shown in Table ES-2. 

Projected M&I Needs 

Projected M&I needs are computed by subtracting projected reliable supply from projected M&I 

demands. As shown in Table ES-2, the projected additional M&I needs (future development) are 

15,400 acre-feet for the year 2030 and 20,700 acre-feet for 2050. A detailed discussion of the 

analysis behind these numbers is presented in Chapters 2 through 4. 

TABLE ES-2 

Snyderville Basin Projected Future M&I Needs 

Units: Acre-Feet per Year 

Existing and Projected M&I Needs 2001 2030 2050 

Population 23,900 64,300 86,300

Calculated M&I Demand 9,800 25,300 32,000

 Water conservation 0 (2,300) (5,000)

Adjusted M&I Demand 9,800 23,000 27,000

 Minimum instream flow/wastewater dilution required 0 1,100 1,600

 Mine tunnel concerns – mine collapse, water quality 0 2,000 2,000

Projected Total M&I Demand 9,800 26,100 30,600

Calculated Current Supplies 14,000 14,000 14,000

 Lost Creek Canyon Project 0 1,600 1,600

 Jordanelle Special Service District imports 0 1,000 1,000

 Increased groundwater development 0 200 300

 Future agricultural conversions 0 400 500

 Reserve Capacity (4,200) (6,500) (7,500)

Projected Reliable Supply 9,800 10,700 9,900

Projected Additional M&I Needs (Future 

Development) 0 15,400 20,700

Future Development Options 

Nine options were identified for developing water to meet future needs. The first three are inBasin development options, while the remaining six are importation options. Four of the six 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

importation options (6, 7, 8 and 9), develop the same Weber Basin Water Conservancy District 

(WBWCD) water supply. Therefore, only one of the four could be considered for future 

development. 

Each of the nine Options was studied in detail to determine viability. A more detailed

description of the analysis is presented in Chapter 5. Of the nine Options, six were considered 

viable for further evaluation as shown in bold type in Table ES-3. Also shown is the water 

supply that would be developed by each, for a total potential development of 20,000 acre feet per 

year by 2030 and 21,600 acre-feet per year by 2050. 

TABLE ES-3 

Development Options Summary

Units: Acre-Feet per Year 

Development Options 2001 2030 2050 

In-basin Development 

 1 – Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage 

 2 – Conjunctive Management of Surface & Groundwater

 3 – Water Reuse 0 2,000 3,600

Importation 

 4 – Provo River – JSSD 0 500 500

 5 – East Canyon Pipeline 0 12,5001 12,5001

 6 – Brown’s Canyon Pipeline 

 7 – Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 0 5,0002 5,0002

 8 – Weber River via Weber Provo Canal 0 5,0002 5,0002

 9 – Lost Creek Canyon and Weber Provo Canal 0 5,0002 5,0002

Total Potential Development 0 20,000 21,600

1

Additional water right approvals and potential acquisitions may be needed to yield the full 12,500 acre-foot 

supply. 2

These options are dependent upon the same 5,000 acre-feet water supply as Option 7 – hence only one of 

the three can be developed. 

Option Evaluation 

Each of the six viable Options was evaluated against a set of criteria developed during the public 

involvement process of the study. Each criterion was generally applied on a per acre-foot basis. 

The study team divided the evaluation criteria into two separate categories: Economic Evaluation 

factors and Non-Economic Evaluation factors. Economic factors include capital cost and present 

value life cycle cost. Non-Economic factors include environmental, social, institutional, and 

system reliability. 

Results of the economic factors evaluation are shown in Table ES-4, with a more detailed 

explanation presented in Chapter 6 (Section 6.3.2) and in the Appendix. Potential impacts were 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

identified during the non-economic factors evaluation, however, none were considered 

sufficiently significant to prevent or limit development of any of the six Options. 

TABLE ES-4 

Economic Factors Evaluation Summary

Economic Factors Option 

3 

Option 

4 

Option 

51

Option 

71

Option 

8 

Option 

9 

Capital Costs (new) 2

(Units 1,000) $19,100 $2,700 $53,700 - $67,300 $25,500 $7,200 $14,400 

Capital Costs (total) 

(Units: 1,000) $19,850 $2,700 $69,300 - $82,900 $37,800 $7,200 $24,300 

Capital Costs per 

acre-foot capacity3 $5,510 $5,400 $7,920 - $6,630 $7,560 $1,440 $2,880 

Life Cycle Costs per 

acre-foot delivered $179 $744 $418 - $376 $369 $460 $426 

1 Option 5 costs are shown as a range, consistent with a capacity between 8,750 acre-feet per year and 12,500 

acre-feet per year, as explained in Sections 5.7.2 and 6.3.2. Also, costs for Options 5 and 7 are based on cost 

estimate Method 3 (see Table ES-5). 2

 Capital costs of new facilities only 

3 Based on capital costs (total) rather than capital costs (new). 

Preferred Plan 

Of the six options evaluated, only Options 5 and 7 are included in the preferred plan. Option 3 is 

not included because it is an in-Basin option, i.e. water reuse, which was assumed would be 

developed by local entities. Options 8 and 9 were eliminated because Option 7 is the highest 

ranking of the three and therefore becomes the preferred method for importing WBWCD water 

from Rockport Reservoir to the Snyderville Basin. Option 4 is eliminated because of high life 

cycle cost relative to the other options. 

With the options narrowed to two, a more detailed comparison of the two was conducted from

both an economic and non-economic perspective, in order to rank the options and make 

recommendations with regard to construction priority. This comparison is described in more 

detail in Chapter 6, Sections 6.3.2 and 6.3.3. A more detailed economic analysis showing four 

different methods of cost estimates is shown in Table ES-5. 

The economic comparison shows that the life cycle cost per acre-foot delivered (See Table ES-4) 

is slightly lower for Option 7 than for Option 5, but are within the accuracy of the estimates. 

Because the cost differences between the two are considered within the margin of error of the 

analysis, other factors must be considered to determine a recommended priority. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

TABLE ES-5 

Option Cost Estimate Summary by Method

Options 

Method 11 

New

Facilities 

Only

Method 22 

All 

Facilities 

(USBR)

Method 33 

All Facilities 

(Includes 

Sunk Costs) 

Method 44 

(New

Facilities 

Contract

Cost Only) 

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline

(8,750 AF capacity and water supply)

 Capital Costs 

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $53,700 $76,000 $69,300 $39,900 

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $6,140 $8,690 $7,920 $4,560

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline

(12,500 AF capacity and water supply) 

 Capital Costs

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $67,300 $89,600 $82,900 $51,400

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $5,380 $7,170 $6,630 $4,110 

Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline

(5,000 AF capacity and water supply) 

 Capital Costs 

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $25,500 $40,300 $37,800 $19,000 

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $5,100 $8,060 $7,560 $3,800

1 Method 1 – Costs for new facilities only. Cost of existing facilities excluded (no sunk costs). Costs include 10% for 

unlisted items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 2 Method 2 – Cost of all facilities (new and existing) as if none have been constructed. Costs include 10% for unlisted 

items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 3 Method 3 – Cost of all facilities (new and existing). Existing facility sunk costs are added to cost of new facilities. 

Costs include 10% for unlisted items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction 

oversight. 4 Method 4 – Method 1 (new facilities only) - contract of “field” costs only – which includes 10% for unlisted items but 

does not include 20% for contingencies, or 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 

As shown in Table ES-5, the capital cost for Option 7 is lower than the capital cost for Option 5. 

Also, Option 7 capital cost per acre-foot capacity for Methods 1 and 4 is less than costs for 

Option 5. However, Option 7 capital cost per acre-foot capacity for Methods 2 and 3 is inside 

the range of costs for Option 5. Cost differences between the two Options are so close that they 

are considered within the margin of error of the analysis, and therefore, do not indicate a 

conclusive preference of one over the other. 

The non-economic comparison, as mentioned above, found no potential impact that would 

prevent or limit development of either of the two Options. However, some could have 

significant impact on the timing and risk of development. 

Park City and other areas within the Snyderville Basin have an immediate need for additional 

water supplies, making timing of permanent water deliveries critically important. The available 

supplies are already behind the projected demand curve (Figures 4.1 and 6.1). Based on the 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

information presented in Chapter 5, and the analysis presented in Chapter 6, the non-economic 

factors comparison of the two Options ranks Option 7 ahead of Option 5. Considering both the 

economic and non-economic factors, Option 7 is ranked first for the following reasons: 

• A primary reason for the congressional legislation was to find a permanent solution to 

Park City’s immediate and critical need for 2,500 acre feet of water per year. Option 

7 is the least costly, would require only 21⁄2 miles of additional pipeline, and would 

require the shortest time to implement for Park City’s need. 

• Option 7 is a smaller project and has a lower new facility project capital cost, i.e. 

$25,500,000 instead of $67,300,000, which makes obtaining funding easier and 

faster. 

• Option 7 can be implemented in less time and with less risk. 

• Option 7 has fewer easements, water rights, and land use permit issues to resolve. 

• Option 7 has water delivery agreements in place.

• A majority of the infrastructure for Option 7 is already constructed. 

• Environmental compliance is expected to take less time because Option 7 is a smaller 

project with fewer expected adverse impacts. 

• Option 7 has a lower capital contract cost per acre-foot capacity, although both 

projects are relatively close and are considered within the margin of error of the cost 

estimates. 

The East Canyon Pipeline Project, however, is also needed and should move forward 

immediately and as expeditiously as possible to meet the future, rapidly growing, water needs in 

the other areas of the Snyderville Basin. 

Table ES-6 shows the priority ranking and the quantities of water recommended for development 

under each option. 

TABLE ES-6 

Preferred Plan 

Development Option Priority and Needs 

Units: Acre-Feet per Year

2030 2050

Priority Development Option 

1 Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 5,000 5,000

2 Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline 8,400 12,100

Total Developed 13,400 17,100

Figure ES-1 shows a recommended timeline for implementing the preferred plan. As shown in 

the figure, the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline project would meet M&I needs in the immediate and 

near future with the East Canyon Pipeline project meeting later needs. The figure also shows a 

“transition” or “over-lap” period when both projects could meet growth needs in the Basin at the 

same time. This would likely occur as the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline project water is near full 

utilization and the East Canyon Pipeline project has been constructed and is operational. Factors 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

which could govern the size of the over-lap would include how quickly the East Canyon Pipeline 

project can be constructed, the location of need within the Basin, and which water supply is the 

most marketable in terms of cost of water, proximity to growth areas, customer service, etc. 

Table ES-7 is a study summary which shows existing and projected needs, current water supply, 

and the preferred plan for meeting those projected needs. Future M&I Need (Acre-feet)

*Area to the left of the vertical line (2005) indicates M&I demands in excess of 

projected reliable supply. In order to meet the M&I demands, reserve capacity is 

being used. 

East Canyon Pipeline

12,100 Acre-feet

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline

5,000 Acre-feet 

Projected Reliable Supply

(Includes additional groundwater development, 

Agriculture to M&I Conversion and Water Reuse) 

Transition 

Year 

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 

35,000 

30,000 

25,000 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

0

Figure ES-1 

Preferred Plan Implementation 

*

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

TABLE ES-7 

Study Summary

Units: Acre-Feet per Year 

Existing and Projected Needs 2001 2030 2050 

Population 23,900 64,300 86,300

Calculated M&I Demand 9,800 25,300 32,000

 Water conservation 0 (2,300) (5,000)

Adjusted M&I Demand 9,800 23,000 27,000

 Minimum in-stream flow/wastewater dilution requirement 0 1,100 1,600

 Mine tunnel concerns – mine collapse, water quality 0 2,000 2,000

Projected M&I Demand 9,800 26,100 30,600

Calculated Current Supplies 14,000 14,000 14,000

 Lost Creek Canyon project 0 1,600 1,600

 Jordanelle Special Service District imports 0 1,000 1,000

 Increased groundwater development 0 200 300

 Future agricultural conversions 0 400 500

 Reserve Capacity (4,200) (6,500) (7,500)

Projected Reliable Supply 9,800 10,700 9,900

Projected Future M&I Needs (Future Development) 0 15,400 20,700

 Future Water Reuse (Developed by Others) 0 2,000 3,600

Projected Additional M&I Needs (Preferred Plan) 0 13,400 17,100

Preferred Plan 

 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline -- 5,000 5,000

 East Canyon Pipeline -- 8,400 12,100

Total Future Development -- 13,400 17,100

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Contents

Executive Summary.......................................................................................................ES-1 

Standard Acronyms and Abbreviations...........................................................................A-5 

Definitions........................................................................................................................A-9 

Chapter 1 – Introduction...............................................................................................1-1 

1.1 Background................................................................................................................1-1 

1.2 General Description of Study Area............................................................................1-3 

Chapter 2 – Existing Conditions, Water Supplies and Infrastructure .....................2-1 

2.1 Background................................................................................................................2-1 

2.2 Summit County Concurrency Requirements.............................................................2-1 

2.3 Existing Water Systems and Source Descriptions.....................................................2-2 

2.4 Existing Water Supply ...............................................................................................2-9 

 

Chapter 3 – Current Water Demands .........................................................................3-1 

3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................3-1 

3.2 Data Collection & Methodology................................................................................3-1 

3.3 M&I Water Use Classifications.................................................................................3-1 

3.4 M&I Water Use Data ................................................................................................3-3 

Chapter 4 – Future Supply & Demand and Projected Needs....................................4-1 

4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4-1 

4.2 Population Projections...............................................................................................4-1 

4.3 Projected M&I Demands ...........................................................................................4-3 

4.4 Projected Reliable Supplies.......................................................................................4-7 

4.5 Projected Future Needs..............................................................................................4-10 

Chapter 5 – Future Development.................................................................................5-1 

5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................5-1 

5.2 Potential Future Development Options......................................................................5-1 

5.3 Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage (Option 1) ............................................5-3 

5.4 Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater (Option 2)..........................5-7 

5.5 Water Reuse (Option 3) .............................................................................................5-9 

5.6 Provo River - JSSD (Option 4)..................................................................................5-17 

5.7 East Canyon Pipeline (Option 5) ...............................................................................5-20 

5.8 Brown’s Canyon Pipeline (Option 6) ........................................................................5-26 

5.9 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (Option 7).....................................................................5-28 

5.10 Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal (Option 8) ....................................................5-32 

5.11 Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal (Option 9).........................................5-35 

5.12 Future Development Options Summary ..................................................................5-37 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Chapter 6 –Evaluation and Preferred Plan.................................................................6-1 

6.1 Evaluation Criteria .....................................................................................................6-1

6.2 Option Evaluation ......................................................................................................6-1 

6.3 Selection of Preferred Plan ........................................................................................6-6 

6.4 Preferred Plan.............................................................................................................6-10 

References........................................................................................................................R-1 

Appendix A - Cost Estimates...........................................................................................A-1 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

List of Tables 

Table Page 

No. Title 

ES-1 2003 Annual Water Production Estimate ............................................................ES-2 

ES-2 Snyderville Basin Projected Future M&I Needs .................................................ES-3 

ES-3 Development Options Summary..........................................................................ES-4 

ES-4 Economic Conditions Evaluation Summary........................................................ES-5 

ES-5 Option Cost Estimate Summary by Method .......................................................ES-6 

ES-6 Preferred Plan – Development Option Priority and Needs..................................ES-7 

ES-7 Study Summary....................................................................................................ES-9 

2-1 Reported Concurrency Capacities........................................................................2-3 

2-2 2003 Annual Water Production Estimate Method One .......................................2-10 

2-3 2003 Annual Water Production Estimate Method Two.......................................2-11 

2-4 2003 Annual Water Production Estimate Method Three.....................................2-11 

3-1 2001 Potable Water Use for Public Community Water Systems ........................3-4 

3-2 2001 Secondary Water Use in Public Community Systems................................3-5 

3-3 2001 Water Use for Public Non-Community Water Systems, ............................3-5 

 Self-Supplied Industries and Private Domestic Systems 

3-4 2001 M&I Water Use Summary..........................................................................3-5 

4-1 Snyderville Basin Population Projections............................................................4-2 

4-2 Projected Future M&I Water Demands (Without Conservation)........................4-3 

4-3 Projected Future M&I Water Demands (With Conservation).............................4-3 

4-4 Adjusted M&I Demands......................................................................................4-7 

4-5 Projected M&I Needs ..........................................................................................4-10 

5-1 Current and Projected Discharges from SBRWD Facilities ...............................5-10 

5-2 East Canyon Pipeline Cost Summary ..................................................................5-21 

5-3 Summary of Water Rights Available for Importation (SWDC)..........................5-23 

5-4 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Cost Summary .......................................................5-29 

5-5 Summary of Water Rights Available for Importation (Lost Creek) ...................5-30 

5-6 Summary of Needs and Development Options....................................................5-37 

6-1 Economic Evaluation Summary ...........................................................................6-2 

6-2 Development Options Summary ..........................................................................6-7 

6-3 Option Cost Estimate Summary by Method.........................................................6-8 

6-4 Preferred Plan - Development Option Priority and Needs...................................6-10 

6-5 Study Summary ....................................................................................................6-13 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

List of Figures

Figure 

No. Title Page 

ES-1 Preferred Plan Implementation ............................................................................ES-8 

1-1 Vicinity Map ........................................................................................................1-4 

2-1 Present Distribution Areas...................................................................................2-5 

2-2 Snyderville Basin Safe Yield vs. Available.........................................................2-14 

3-1 Snyderville Basin Current M&I Use vs. Available Supply .................................3-6 

4-1 Projected M&I Water Demands...........................................................................4-2 

4-2 Comparison of Demands to Current Demand and Available Supply..................4-4 

5-1 Options Map.........................................................................................................5-2 

5-2 Option 1 – Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage ......................................5-6 

5-3 Supply vs. Initial Reuse Demand.........................................................................5-11 

5-4 Probable Future Reuse Volume ...........................................................................5-14 

5-5 Option 3 – Water Reuse.......................................................................................5-16 

5-6 Option 4 - Provo River -JSSD .............................................................................5-19 

5-7 Option 5 - East Canyon Reservoir Pipeline .........................................................5-25 

5-8 Option 7 –Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline ...............................................................5-31 

5-9 Option 8 - Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal.................................................5-34 

5-10 Option 9 - Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal .....................................5-36 

6-1 Preferred Plan Implementation ............................................................................6-12 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Standard Acronyms and Abbreviations

AF acre-feet 

ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers 

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials 

BC&A Bowen, Collins & Associates

BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand 

BOD5 five-day biochemical oxygen demand 

BMP Best Management Practices 

C degrees Celsius (or centigrade) 

CAD computer aided design 

cfm cubic feet per minute 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

cfs cubic feet per second 

cm/sec centimeters per second 

COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

CWA Clean Water Act 

cu yd cubic yard 

dia diameter 

DO dissolved oxygen 

D&WCCC Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company 

EA Environmental Assessment 

EIS Environmental Impact Statement 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

ERC Equivalent Residential Connection 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

F degrees Fahrenheit 

FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact 

ft feet or foot 

ft2

 square feet 

ft/ft feet per foot 

ft/h feet per hour 

ft/min feet per minute 

ft/s feet per second 

FWS US Fish and Wildlife Service 

FY Fiscal Year 

g gram

GIS Geographical Information System

GOPB Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

gpcd gallons per capita per day 

gpd gallons per day 

gpm gallons per minute 

gps gallons per second 

hp horsepower 

hvac heating, ventilation, and air conditioning 

JSSD Jordanelle Special Service District 

kg kilogram

kv kilovolt 

kva kilovolt-ampere 

kw kilowatt 

kwh kilowatt hour 

l liter 

lb pound 

LF lineal feet 

LS lump sum 

mg milligram

MG million gallons 

mgd million gallons per day 

mg/kg milligrams per kilogram

mg/l milligrams per liter 

M&I Municipal and Industrial 

MHZ megahertz 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

msl mean sea level 

MRWSSD Mountain Regional Water Special Service District 

MWH Montgomery Watson Harza 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

OD outside diameter 

O&M operation and maintenance 

OM&R operation, maintenance and replacement 

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

PE Professional Engineer or Project Engineer 

PIP Public Involvement Plan 

PM Project Manager 

POC point of contact 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

POTW publicly owned treatment works 

PPE personal protective equipment 

ppb parts per billion 

ppm parts per million 

PRWUA Provo River Water Users Association 

psf pounds per square foot 

psig pounds per square inch gauge 

pvc polyvinyl chloride 

QA Quality Assurance 

QC Quality Control 

Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation 

RFP Request for Proposal 

ROW Right-of-Way 

SBWRD Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District 

SCSA3 Summit County Service Area No. 3 

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act 

SDWS Safe Drinking Water Standard 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office 

SOW Scope of Work 

STP Sewage Treatment Plant 

SWDC Summit Water Distribution Company 

tbc to be considered 

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load 

μg/g micrograms per gram

μg/l micrograms per liter 

μg/kg micrograms per kilogram 

μm micrometer 

UDDW Utah Division of Drinking Water 

UDOT Utah Department of Transportation 

UDWQ Utah Division of Water Quality 

UDWLR Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 

UDWR Utah Division of Water Resources 

UGS Utah Geological Survey 

UPDES Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

USCS Unified Soil Classification System

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

UV ultraviolet 

WBWCD Weber Basin Water Conservancy District 

WRF Waste Water Reclamation Facility 

WTP Water Treatment Plant 

WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Definitions 

Some water terms peculiar to the water industry are briefly defined here in order to better 

understand the information presented. 

Water Supply Terms

Water is supplied by a variety of systems for many users. The general term “supply” is 

defined as the amount of water available. A public agency owns most water supply 

systems, but in some cases the owner/operator is a private company. Thus, a "public" 

water supply may be either publicly or privately owned. Also, systems may supply 

treated and/or untreated water. 

Concurrency – A process established by Summit County Ordinance to ensure adequate 

capacity for community water systems located in the Snyderville Basin. 

Community Water System – A public water system that serves at least 15 service 

connections used by year-round residents or regularly services at least 25 year-round 

residents. 

Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) – A term used to evaluate service 

connections, other than typical residential domicile, and is an estimate of the equivalent

volume or rate of flow to that of a typical residential connection. 

Maximum Water Supply Available Under Present Conditions – The annual volume of 

water that is the lesser of the hydrologic capacity of the water source, the physical 

capacity of the water system, or the use allowed by water rights. 

Municipal Water Supply – A municipal supply is that which provides water for 

residential, commercial, and institutional uses. The terms municipal, community and city 

are often used interchangeably. 

Municipal and Industrial Water Supply – Includes all water (potable and non-potable) 

supplied for residential, commercial, institutional, light industry, and large self-supplied 

industries. This supply is available from community systems, non-community (transient 

and non-transient) systems, self-supplied industrial systems, and private wells. 

Non-Potable Water Supply – Non-potable water does not meet safe drinking water 

requirements. Secondary irrigation companies and self-supplied industries usually supply 

this water. Sometimes referred to as non-culinary water supply, but usually referred to as 

secondary water. 

Potable Water Supply – Potable water is that which meets all applicable federal and state 

safe drinking water requirements for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial 

uses. Potable is also referred to as culinary or drinking water supply. 

A-9 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Public Community Water Supply – This includes potable water supplied by either 

privately or publicly owned community systems which serve at least 15 service 

connections or 25 individuals with year round usage. Water from public community 

supplies may be used for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial purposes. 

This can include both indoor and outdoor uses. 

Public Non-Community Water Supply – Includes potable water supplied by either 

privately or publicly owned systems of two types: transient and non-transient. Transient 

systems are systems that do not serve 25 of the same non-resident persons per day for 

more than six months per year. Examples include campgrounds, RV parks, restaurants, 

convenience stores, etc. Non-transient systems are systems that regularly serve 25 of the 

same non-resident persons per day for more than six months per year. Examples include 

churches, schools and industries. This report combines transient and non-transient 

systems together and calls them all public non-community systems. 

Reliable System Source Capacity – The portion of the annual water supply that is 

available to meet peak demands. When this number is divided by the average per capita 

usage, the result approximates the maximum population that the water system can serve. 

Secondary Water Supply – This water is usually a pressurized or open ditch water supply 

system with untreated water for irrigation of privately and publicly owned lawns, 

gardens, parks, cemeteries, golf courses and other open areas. These systems, sometimes 

called "dual" water systems, are installed to provide an alternative to irrigating with 

culinary water for outdoor areas. Irrigation companies often provide this supply. Selfsupplied industries can also use secondary water for industrial processes. 

Self-supplied Industrial Supply – This category includes potable or non-potable water, 

usually from their own wells or springs, supplied by individual privately owned 

industries. 

A-10 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

1-1 

Chapter 1 – Introduction 

1.1 Background 

In recent years, the Park City and Snyderville Basin (Basin) area has experienced some of the 

fastest growth in Utah. This growth has included commercial, institutional, and residential 

development. The expansion of the ski resorts prior to and following the 2002 Winter Olympics 

has attracted not only seasonal resort developments, but also year-round residential communities. 

The entire area is experiencing an accelerated change from a regional ski resort destination to a 

diversified year-round vacation and living community, as well as a bedroom community for the 

Salt Lake Metropolitan area. 

Historically, the municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply to the Snyderville Basin has been 

provided by a number of entities. Park City Municipal Corporation has provided water to city 

residents since the city was incorporated. As development began to spread into the 

unincorporated areas of the Snyderville Basin, a number of organizations were created to provide 

water. Most were formed by developers needing to provide a water system for their associated 

land development projects. Over the years, many of those systems evolved into private water 

companies, private mutually-owned companies, or special service districts formed by Summit 

County. There are also some developments that still rely on individual wells to provide 

residential water. 

Most of these systems have relied on wells as the primary source of M&I water. Park City has 

developed a large portion of its water supply from tunnels formerly used for mineral extraction. 

A few small springs have been developed to supplement the wells. The Snyderville Basin has a 

unique groundwater system. The area is divided into a number of compartmentalized basins 

composed mostly of bedrock formation aquifers that are segregated from each other. Studies 

have shown that these aquifers are limited in storage capacity and are recharged primarily 

through precipitation, with relatively short recharge periods. 

Because of the limited groundwater resource, there is a concern that there may be limited 

potential for additional development of the groundwater as a reliable long-term water source for 

the Snyderville Basin. The drought that has occurred in the past 5 to 6 years (1999-2004) has 

raised concerns about the amount and reliability of further groundwater development within the 

Basin. These concerns have been compounded by the rapid growth in the Basin. 

Three water entities servicing the Basin have developed surface water sources and constructed 

treatment plants. Community Water Company operates the oldest surface water source using 

Willow Creek water located near The Canyons Resort. Summit Water Distribution Company 

(SWDC) and Mountain Regional Water Special Service District (MRWSSD), have each 

developed surface water treatment plants. The SWDC Plant treats water diverted from East 

Canyon Creek while the MRWSSD Plant in the Promontory Development recently began 

importing and treating water from the Weber River area just upstream of Rockport Reservoir. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

1-2 

With continued growth of residences and business interests in the Basin there is a great interest 

in determining the long-range water needs of the Basin and identifying feasible alternatives to 

provide additional water to meet future demand. Over the past several years, Government 

agencies and several private entities have explored various options to develop an additional 

water supply. Frequently, there has been competing views on water supply, infrastructure, and 

service areas. Several of these entities have proposed options for importing additional water into 

the Basin to meet their individual needs. 

A number of investigations have been conducted since the early 1990’s by various organizations, 

including the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD), Park City Municipal 

Corporation, MRWSSD, Summit County, SWDC, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

(COE). These studies are compiled and summarized as part of this study. An extensive 

literature search was conducted and a reference summary is included at the end of this report. 

In 2001, the COE was funded and directed by Congress to conduct a feasibility study for Park 

City on water supply options, titled the “Park City Water Supply Infrastructure Study”. The 

COE completed significant work prior to Reclamation’s involvement. Page 120 of the FY 2004 

Energy and Water Appropriations Conference report states: “The conference agreement includes 

$500,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue a feasibility study of water supply 

infrastructure improvements in Park City, Utah. Reclamation received additional funding in FY 

2005 and FY 2006. This study is being conducted pursuant to the authority and with the funding 

provided in these appropriations. 

Park City and the Snyderville Basin lie within the boundaries of WBWCD. WBWCD has 

extended offers to water providers in the Basin to purchase unsubscribed-for M&I water to 

augment their supplies. WBWCD, Park City, Summit County, and MRWSSD (then known as 

Atkinson Special Service District), entered into a Memorandum of Understanding and 

Agreement dated November 18, 1996 (1996 MOU). The 1996 MOU set forth a framework for 

the development of a project to deliver water made available from WBWCD’s sources to the 

service areas of Park City and MRWSSD, with possible future expansion into other areas of 

Summit County. That agreement expired in early 2004, and in May 2004, a new MOU was 

negotiated. 

SWDC has entered into an agreement with the Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company 

(D&WCCC) to purchase 5,000 acre-feet of water in East Canyon Reservoir and pump it to its 

treatment plant in the Snyderville Basin to supply its customers. They have also offered to 

participate with WBWCD in any importation project from East Canyon Reservoir. 

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the water needs within the rapidly growing Park City and 

Snyderville Basin area, quantify those needs, and develop and evaluate options or alternatives, 

that could be pursued to provide for the M&I water demands expected through 2050. 

1.2 General Description of Study Area 

The boundaries of the Snyderville Basin for the purposes of this study were determined by 

Reclamation with input from the State of Utah Division of Water Resources (UDWR) and water 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

1-3 

providers in the Basin. This study area encompasses the area from near the western Summit 

County boundary at mile marker 140 on Interstate 80 (I-80), east to I-80 mile marker 150, and 

north and south of I-80 to the enclosing mountain ridgelines on or near the Summit County 

boundaries. An illustration of the study area is provided in Figure 1-1. 

The study area generally consists of higher elevation mountain valleys and resort developments 

on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

1-4 

FIGURE 1-1 

VICINITY MAP 

SNYDERVILLE BASIN WATER SUPPLY STUDY 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-1 

Chapter 2 – Existing Conditions, Water Supplies 

and Infrastructure 

2.1 Background 

During the early settlement of the Snyderville Basin, population was concentrated within the 

boundaries of the mining town of Park City, with only a few scattered individual homes located 

within the rest of the Basin. In the late 1950's and early 1960’s, a ski resort was developed on 

the mountains adjacent to Park City. Since then, the dynamics of the region have dramatically 

changed; initially to a winter vacation destination, and more recently to a year-round resort 

community. 

With the increased recreational opportunities, residential developments expanded within Park 

City and into the surrounding unincorporated areas. Park City continued to expand its water 

supply system to meet the needs within its boundaries. Water development within the 

unincorporated portion of the Basin was initially a private enterprise. The earliest developments, 

Summit Park and Pinebrook, developed their own water companies and water systems. Most 

consisted of wells and small storage tanks. Some of these evolved into community systems and 

some eventually combined to serve more than one developed area. Summit Water Distribution 

Company was founded in 1979, to develop a Basin-wide water system that would supply 

numerous developments owned by the principles of the water company. 

When a countywide wastewater system was developed in the 1970's, development within the 

unincorporated areas accelerated. Eventually, Summit County incorporated several service 

districts to take over ownership and operation of these smaller water systems. Several private 

water companies also emerged to own and operate systems. Some of these systems are operated 

as mutual water companies, where each user owns a portion of the system. Others remained as 

private companies governed by the Utah Public Service Commission. 

In 2000, Summit County established MRWSSD. MRWSSD subsequently assumed ownership 

and/or operation of several smaller systems which were either privately owned or formerly in 

other special service districts. Several of these smaller systems had experienced difficulty in 

providing water to their customers for a variety of reasons. Some experienced problems with 

their supply wells, and their efforts to find new sources were unsuccessful. Others were under 

capitalized and unable to fund operation and maintenance needs. 

2.2 Summit County Concurrency Requirements 

In the Snyderville Basin, water has become a critical component in the ability to sustain growth. 

In addition to the State Engineer closing the area to new appropriations, Summit County has 

implemented a concurrency ordinance to all non-municipal public water supply providers in the 

Snyderville Basin, which requires them to demonstrate they have adequate water to meet current 

and approved growth demands within their boundaries. The ordinance requires that concurrency 

reports be submitted which provide the county with accurate data that is used to update the 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-2 

carrying or design capacity of an existing water system. The concurrency review focuses on the 

existing public water supplies, and the dependable peak-day source capacity. This new capacity 

value is used by the county to determine if sufficient water source production capacity is 

available and if infrastructure improvements are in place before development approvals and 

building permits are issued for new construction. Reported 2004 concurrency capacities are 

listed in Table 2-1. This table shows the maximum capacity of the water supply sources and an 

estimate of the annual production capacity of that source, and it also shows the rated capacity. 

Rated capacity is a term used in the concurrency process to discount the available supply for 

drought and operational problems that reduce the capabilities of the source to produce water. In 

estimating the volumes of water produced, it is assumed that spring and surface sources are 

constant year around. However, since SWDC's East Canyon Water Treatment Plant only 

operates from April to September, it was rated at one-half the yearly maximum capacity. In the 

future, SWDC may choose to operate the treatment plant during the winter months to reduce its 

dependence on groundwater and reserve use of its wells for peak periods of demand. Due to 

operational constraints commonly associated with wells, well sources are considered to be 

operational one-half of the year. The rated capacities are determined for each system by the 

Utah Division of Drinking Water (UDDW), based on pump tests after well completion. The 

UDDW rules require that the wells be pumped at 150 percent of the anticipated design capacity. 

The county generally subtracts an additional 15 percent from the UDDW rated capacity as a 

drought reserve. These criteria are reflected in the tables. 

2.3 Existing Water Systems and Source Descriptions 

In describing existing water systems and sources, two factors are important to consider: 

(1) maximum water supply available under present conditions, and (2) reliable system source 

capacity. The maximum water supply is defined as the total water resource that is presently 

developed. The ability to use this total resource is limited by mechanical constraints (such as 

pump capacity or pipe size), hydrologic constraints (such as reliable streamflow or groundwater 

safe yield), or legal constraints (such as a water right or contract). For purposes of this study, the 

least water supply available after considering these constraints is considered to be the reliable 

system source capacity. Determination of well pump capacities, spring flow estimates, treatment 

plant capacities, and water right information all aid in the calculation of this value. 

Because most culinary water system storage tanks are designed to store only about 1 day's worth 

of water demand, and many systems only use the full capacity of their wells during the peak 

season, not all of the maximum water supply is available to meet future water needs. Therefore, 

the system source capacity is more useful in determining future water capacities of the particular 

community water system sources (wells, springs, etc.). See Section 2.4.1, for a more detailed 

definition of a reliable supply. When the system source capacity is divided by the average 

annual per capita water use for the system, the result represents the population that can be 

reliably served by the present system sources. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-3 

TABLE 2-1 

Reported Concurrency Capacities 

2004 

Water Supplier/ 

Source Name 

Source 

Type 

Max Capacity 

(gpm) 

Max. Annual Capacity 

(ac-ft/yr.) 

Rated Capacity 

(gpm) 

Annual Rated 

Capacity 

(ac-ft/yr.) 

Community Water Company 

Ambush #1 Well 40 32 -1

 -1 

Ambush #2 Well 25 20 -1 -1 

Wagon Trail #2 Well 16 13 16 13 

Gulch Well 105 85 95 77 

Bushwacker Well 15 12 -1 -1 

Willow Creek Treatment Plant Surface 200 323 180 290 

Totals 401 485 291 380 

Gorgoza Mutual Water Company 

Two Mile Springs Spring 70 113 60 96 

Well #1 Well 125 101 85 69 

Dan's Well Well 120 97 85 69 

Well #P3 Well 100 81 100 81 

Well #4B Well 547 441 425 343 

Well #4R Well 500 403 340 274 

South Ridge #1 Well Well 43 35 43 35 

Ankareh Well 225 181 150 121 

Summit Water Connection Intercon 300 242 300 242 

Totals 2,030 1,694 1,588 1,328 

High Valley Water 

High Valley Old Well Well 150 121 128 103 

Atkinson Well #2 Well 86 69 73 59 

Totals 236 190 201 162 

Mountain Regional Water Special Service District2

2 22222 

Atkinson Well #2 Well 194 156 165 133 

Jailhouse Well #3 Well 120 97 102 82 

Silver Creek Well #10 Well 306 247 260 210 

Starpointe Well #15b Well 1,225 988 1,041 840 

Three Mile Well Well 150 121 128 103 

Blackhawk Well #2R Well 123 99 105 85 

Gorgoza Well #6 Well 188 152 160 129 

Nugget Well Well 200 161 170 137 

Spring Creek Spring Spring 125 202 125 202 

Lake Well #1 Well 194 156 165 133 

Sun Peak Well #2 Well 35 28 30 24 

Winter Park Well #3 Well 76 61 65 52 

Summit Park Well #2 Well 37 30 25 20 

Summit Park Well #4 Well 20 16 17 14 

Summit Park Well #5 Well 72 58 61 49 

Summit Park Well #7 Well 120 97 87 70 

Spring Creek Well #1 Well 252 203 213 172 

SWDC Sports Park Intercon 80 65 80 65 

Totals 3,517 2,937 2,999 2,520 

Park City Corporation 

Spiro Tunnel Spring 2,350 3,791 2,350 3,791 

Judge Tunnel Spring 1,200 1,936 650 1,048 

Thiriot Spring Spring 1,600 2,581 628 1,013 

Middle School Well Well 1,000 807 1,000 807 

Divide Well Well 1,000 807 667 538 

Park Meadows Well Well 1,000 807 -1 -1 

JSSD Interconnect Intercon 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 

Totals 9,150 11,726 6,295 8,196 

Summit County Special Service Area No. 3 

Well #1 Well 145 234 128 206 

Totals 145 234 128 206 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-4 

The major water suppliers in the study area are composed of public water systems and privately 

controlled water systems. In addition, there are numerous individual systems that typically 

provide water to a single home or property using a well or spring. A description of each of the 

major water providers is presented in the following paragraphs to provide an understanding of 

the water supply system of the area. Figure 2-1 shows the present service area of each of the 

major water providers in the Basin. Summit County's Concurrency Officer, who oversees the 

reports and enforces the county's ordinance, has developed a definition of equivalent residential 

connections (ERC) with which the number of ERCs for each water system has been determined. 

The officer uses the ERC numbers to evaluate each water provider's capacity to meet expected 

peak day water demands. An ERC is defined to be 0.86 gallons per minute or 1,238 gallons per 

day. 

Community Water Company 

Community Water Company is a privately-owned water system serving an area of The Canyons 

Ski Resort and surrounding developments. Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, submitted 

by Community Water Company, the system is currently servicing 286 ERCs, with an expectation 

of increasing to 439 ERCs at build-out. There are three connections to SWDC in Community 

Water Company's water system, and one connection to MRWSSD. 

TABLE 2-1 

Reported Concurrency Capacities (cont.) 

2004 

Water Supplier/ 

Source Name Source Type 

Max Capacity 

(gpm) 

Max. Annual 

Capacity 

(ac-ft/yr.) 

Rated Capacity 

(gpm) 

Annual Rated 

Capacity 

(ac-ft/yr.) 

Summit Water Distribution Company 

Rest Stop Well Well 1,200 968 800 645 

Hiute Well Well 150 121 128 103 

Jeremy Well Well 511 412 434 350 

Knight Well Well 71 57 60 48 

White Pine Well Well 20 16 17 14 

Church Well Well 95 77 81 65 

Storage Well Well 750 605 638 515 

Old F-7 Well Well 185 149 157 127 

U224 Well Well 250 202 167 135 

New F-7 Well Well 468 377 398 321 

Spring Creek Springs Spring 500 807 425 686 

East Canyon Treatment Plant3 Surface 3,820 907 1,120 452 

Totals 8,020 4,698 4,425 3,460 

Timberline Special Service District 

Ponderosa Well Well 22 18 19 15 

Cedar Well Well 14 11 12 10 

Gorgoza Interconnect Inteconnect 20 16 20 16 

Summit Park Well #7 Well 26 21 22 18 

MR Interconnect Interconnect 2 2 2 2 

Totals 84 68 75 60 

1 Incomplete data 2

 Mountain Regional Water Special Service District includes systems formerly known as Atkinson Special Service District, Summit 

Park, Silver Springs, Spring Creek, Pivotal Promontory, and Quarry Mountain. 

Well capacity for volume calculations was assumed to operate 50 percent of the time. 

3

 Summit Water Treatment Plant was assumed to operate only 1/4 of the year due to water availability in East Canyon Creek. 

Annual Capacities are derived from converting capacity to annual use assuming full time availability of springs, 1/2 time for wells and 

1/4 time for Summit Water's Treatment Plant. 
Park City

SCSS3 Mountain

Regional

Mountain Regional

Gorgoza

Mountain

Regional

Summit Water

Summit Water

Summit Water

Mountain Regional

Mountain Regional

High Valley

Community Water

Timberline

±

Snyderville Basin

Water Supply Study

Figure 2-1

Present Distribution Areas

Legend

Community Water

Gorgoza

High Valley

Mountain Regional

Park City

SCSS3

Summit Water

Timberline
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-6 

Sources for Community Water Company includes: two wells (Wagon Trail No. 2 Well and 

Gulch Well) and one treated streamflow (Willow Creek Treatment Plant). UDDW rates the 

current total system source as 291 gallons per minute (gpm). In addition to the connections 

requiring service throughout the year, Community Water Company has a standby commitment to 

The Canyons Ski Resort to provide water for snowmaking. 

Gorgoza Mutual Water Company 

Gorgoza Mutual Water Company is a mutually-owned water system originally developed to 

provide water to the Pinebrook development. Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, submitted 

by Gorgoza, the system is currently servicing 1,399 ERCs with an expectation of increasing to 

1,540 ERCs by 2009. No additional growth or development is anticipated beyond that point. 

Sources for the Gorgoza system include seven wells and one spring, with a total rated capacity of 

1,588 gpm (in 2004). Additionally, up to 300 gpm is available through interconnections with 

SWDC's system on an emergency basis. Gorgoza recently completed drilling a new well. Well 

tests documented a maximum capacity of 300 gpm, and the State of Utah has approved a rated 

capacity of 200 gpm. Gargoza may drill an addition well in the future for reserve capacity. 

Gorgoza also has an interconnection with MRWSSD through which they can receive or supply 

water as needed. 

High Valley Water Company 

High Valley Water Company is a mutually-owned water system serving customers located in the 

area southwest of I-80/U.S. Highway 40 Junction. Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, 

submitted by High Valley, the system is currently servicing 211 ERCs with an expectation of 

increasing to 225 ERCs by 2009. High Valley has no plans to increase their service area or build 

new developments in the current service area. 

Sources for the High Valley Water Company system include: two wells (High Valley Old Well 

and Atkinson Well No. 2), with a total UDDW rated capacity of 201 gpm. Atkinson Well No. 2, 

is jointly owned by High Valley and MRWSSD. Because of the wells water quality problems, 

MRWSSD voluntarily exchanges the poor quality water for higher quality water and supplies it 

to High Valley. A replacement well for Atkinson Well No. 2 was drilled but found to be 

unproductive. Since then, High Valley Water Company has contracted with SWDC to provide 

additional water when needed. 

Mountain Regional Water Special Service District 

MRWSSD is a county organized water district. It includes systems formerly known as Atkinson 

Special Service District, Summit Park, Silver Springs, Spring Creek, Pivotal Promontory, and 

Quarry Mountain. Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, the system is currently servicing 

2,700 ERCs with an expectation of increasing to 5,540 ERCs by 2009. 

Sources for the MRWSSD system includes: 16 wells and 1 spring, with a total UDDW rated 

capacity of 2,999 gpm. MRWSSD recently completed a surface water treatment plant (Signal 

Hill) that treats water pumped from shallow wells located along the Weber River just upstream 

from Rockport Reservoir. The plant has been operational since October 2004 and has an initial 

capacity of 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD). 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-7 

Park City Municipal Corporation 

Park City Municipal Corporation operates a public water system. Because it is a publicly 

operated system, no concurrency report is required. Based on information provided by the city, 

it services approximately 4,700 connections. These connections consist of single and multifamily homes, hotels, golf courses, two ski resorts, restaurants, and a variety of other businesses. 

Park City has projected future water needs and developed a Master Plan that assumes a growth 

build-out by about 2030. 

Sources for the Park City system includes: three wells, one spring, and two tunnels, with a total 

UDDW rated capacity of 6,295 gpm. Currently, one of the three wells has been taken off line 

due to water quality issues. Once adequate treatment can be provided, this well will add another 

670 gpm to the total rated capacity. Additionally, the city currently imports 1,000 gpm, up to a 

maximum of 1,000 acre-feet per year, from Jordanelle Special Service District (JSSD). JSSD is 

a water district located in Wasatch County that serves water to the area surrounding Jordanelle 

Reservoir and is described below. 

Summit County Service Area No. 3 

Summit County Service Area No. 3 (SCSA3) is classified as a county authorized water system 

that provides water to the area north of the I-80/U.S. Highway 40 Junction. Based on the 2004 

Concurrency Report, the system is currently servicing 149 ERCs with an expectation of 

increasing to 194 by 2009. 

The source for the SCSA3 includes: Well No. 1, with a UDDW rated capacity of 128 gpm. It is 

important to note, that there are a significant number of individual wells serving homes in this 

area. As growth occurs in this area, it is probable that there will be a move to a greater 

dependence on the public water system and the numerous small existing wells will not be 

acceptable as a public water source. Thus, as existing individual well owners convert to the 

public system, even without growth, there will be a greater need for water supply in the public 

system serving this area. MRWSSD operates this system under an inter-local agreement. 

Summit Water Distribution Company 

SWDC is a user-owned exempt mutual water company. This means that the operation side of 

the company cannot make a profit, but can only charge the costs for operation, maintenance, 

repair, and replacement of the water distribution system. All costs and necessary actions 

associated with expansion of the SWDC system is the responsibility of the shareholder(s) 

proposing the expansion (Flitton 2005). The system serves a wide area of the Snyderville Basin, 

extending from Jeremy Ranch to U.S. Highway 40, and south to The Canyons Ski Resort area. 

Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, the system is currently servicing 2,805 ERCs, with an 

expectation of increasing to 4,305 ERCs by 2009. 

Sources for the SWDC system includes: a surface water treatment plant, 10 wells, and 1 spring, 

with a total rated peak capacity of 4,425 gpm. The water treatment plant currently receives 

source water from a diversion on East Canyon Creek. The long-range plan is to construct a 

water line and pump stations to withdraw water from East Canyon Reservoir to supply the 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-8 

treatment plant. This would increase the production from that plant to match the installed 

capacity and facilitate future expansion. 

In an agreement dated May 26, 1998, by and between Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 

(UDWLR) and SWDC, SWDC agreed to a variety of stream enhancement measures, including a 

forbearance from diverting water from East Canyon Creek, unless its base flows exceeded 3.5 

cubic feet per second (cfs), and an intent to continue cooperating to increase base flows above 

3.5 cfs level. With respect to the flows of East Canyon Creek arising naturally above the 

project’s water treatment plant at Jeremy Ranch, Summit Water agreed to not divert any water 

directly from East Canyon Creek, unless the creek’s flow rate at the above-mentioned location is 

greater than 6.0 cfs, thereby establishing 6 cfs as the base flow rate at which Summit Water will 

stop its direct diversions from East Canyon Creek and begin taking water from East Canyon 

Reservoir (any diversion made when the flow is greater than 6 cfs will not reduce the flow to less 

than 6 cfs). As part of the mutual cooperation between the parties, there is a commitment to 

provide incremental augmentation from upstream sources to increase base flows above the 6 cfs 

base flows established by this agreement. Summit Water also agreed to recognize cumulative 

increases to the 6 cfs base flow, when such flows are made possible by quantifiable 

augmentation to upstream flows in East Canyon Creek or its tributaries. During low flow 

periods from droughts, etc. which extend into the identified winter months, the 6 cfs base flow 

will be respected. During low flows occurring at any other time of year, 3.5 cfs base flows will 

be respected (no diversion will reduce the base flow below 3.5 cfs). As a consequence of these 

commitments, SWDC will provide the UDWLR a right to use 2 cfs capacity of the proposed East 

Canyon Pipeline to deliver water for fish, and thereby receives credit toward the 6 cfs minimum 

streamflow. 

Timberline Special Service District 

Timberline Special Service District is a community water system that provides water to the 

Parleys Summit area. Based on the 2004 Concurrency Report, the system is currently servicing 

87 ERCs with an expectation of increasing to 95 ERCs by 2009. Timberline has contracted with 

MRWSSD to provide management, service, and maintenance. They have also been approved for 

annexation into MRWSSD. 

Sources for the Timberline system includes: two wells with a UDDW rating of 31 gpm. 

Timberline also receives 20 percent of the production from two wells jointly owned by 

Timberline and MRWSSD (formerly Summit Park Special Service District). Additionally, 

Timberline receives 20 gpm through a connection with Gorgoza Mutual Water Company. The 

total peak source capacity for Timberline is 75 gpm. MRWSSD operates this system under an 

inter-local agreement. 

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District 

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD) was formed in 1950 to develop the 

water resources of the Weber River Drainage Basin. WBWCD provides primarily wholesale 

treated and untreated water to customers located in Summit, Morgan, Davis, Box Elder, and 

Weber Counties. WBWCD operates a number of reservoirs located on the Weber River and its 

tributaries, conveyance facilities, treatment plants and wells, to provide culinary and secondary 

water to its customers. Since its inception, WBWCD has intended to provide water to the 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-9 

Snyderville Basin, but until recently it had not developed any systems to do so. With the 

completion of the Lost Creek Canyon Project, MRWSSD will provide about 1,600 acre-feet of 

WBWCD water to the Snyderville Basin. Recently, a diversion at Rockport Reservoir was 

examined to evaluate the feasibility of providing an additional 5,000 acre-feet of WBWCD water 

to the MRWSSD treatment plant for use in the Snyderville Basin. Weber Basin has contracted 

with both Park City and MRWSSD to deliver 2,500 acre-feet per year of Weber River water to 

each entity. 

Jordanelle Special Service District (JSSD) 

JSSD was established by Wasatch County to provide water to developments located around 

Jordanelle Reservoir. Although it is not located in the Snyderville Basin, JSSD has a treatment 

plant and distribution system with an existing connection that provides water to Park City 

through Deer Valley Resort. The source of JSSD's water is the Ontario Tunnel, and it is treated 

prior to use. In 2002, Park City and JSSD entered into a 20-year lease agreement to purchase 

1,000 acre-feet per year of M&I water at a maximum rate of 1,000 gpm from JSSD through this 

connection. The city is currently in the third year of that agreement. 

2.4 Existing Water Supply 

2.4.1 Methodology 

To estimate the annual water production capacity of the existing water sources in the Basin, 

several methods were used. The first method was to use the maximum installed capacity of the 

sources within each system. These values were derived by summing the capacity values shown 

in Table 2-1 under the column entitled maximum annual capacity. Table 2-2 lists the total 

maximum source capacity as reported in each water supplier's 2004 Concurrency Report, along 

with the 2001 actual water usage. The actual 2001 supply values were provided by UDWR 

based upon data collected from water providers. 

The use of the 2001 data raises the question of why more recent data was not used. UDWR, the 

agency collecting this data, believes the 2001 data is more representative of the long-term water 

deliveries in the Basin than more recent data. While water use data for 2003 and 2002, was 

available and could have been used, the water use in both of these years was significantly 

impacted by drought conditions. Utilizing water use during a known drought year (2003 was one 

of the most severe on record) to project future water demands is undesirable because it would 

result in a significant underestimation of actual future water needs. 

Given that the County Concurrency Officer has rated each source, a second method was used to 

estimate the annual water production capacities based on the rated capacity of the sources. Table 

2-3 lists these capacities for each water supplier. 

A third method was developed to estimate annual water production capacity using a peaking 

factor. Standard practice in water system planning and operation is to install sufficient capacity 

to meet expected peak demands of the system. This practice typically recognizes that peak 

capacity only needs to be available for short periods of time when peak demands occur. Peak 

demands are generally two to three times the average demand of the system. Given that each 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-10 

water provider has designed their system taking into account peaking factors, an approach that 

evaluates peaking factors was considered appropriate for this analysis. 

Table 2-4 lists the adjusted peak capacities for each source. These capacities were adjusted by 

dividing the maximum annual production capacity (for spring and surface sources) in Table 2-1 

by a peaking factor of 2.3. Well capacities were doubled to reflect year-round operation and then 

divided by the same peaking factor. This peaking factor was calculated in the Park City 

Municipal Corporation Water Supply and Water Demand Update, May 2000 using 1995 through 

1999 water use data. 

Peaking factors define the relationship between infrastructure flow rates and delivery volume – 

the greater the peaking factor, the lower the delivery volume, and visa-versa. Peaking factors are 

influenced by the demand distribution pattern (magnitude and timing of the peak use periods 

versus base flow), available storage volumes, and other factors. While it can be argued that 

different peaking factors should be used for the different areas and/or water companies, doing so 

is beyond the level of accuracy of this study. Importation volumes are provided generally to the 

entire Snyderville Basin and not to specific areas. Also, a primary objective of the study is to 

compare options to determine which best meets the projected water needs within the area. 

Therefore, one peaking factor rate was used in the study for the entire study area. This 2.3 

peaking factor is considered to be representative of the demands in the Basin. Table 2-4 shows 

the capacities available to reliably serve the water demands in the Basin. 

Interviews were also conducted with water providers in Snyderville Basin. Many of the major 

suppliers interviewed stated that their actual production volumes are approaching the capacity of 

their sources to produce water. Based upon this information, the third method's estimate (Table 

2-4) for water production is considered to be a more reasonable estimate of the annual 

production capacities than the first two methods. Each of the other methods estimates the overall 

production capacity higher than experience with these systems would indicate. The peaking 

method appears to more closely estimate the reliable capacity of these systems. The estimate of 

existing production capacity for the Basin is approximately 14,000 acre-feet per year. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-11 

TABLE 2-3 

2003 Annual Water Production Estimate Method Two (Using Rated Capacities of Systems) 

Water Supplier 

Springs 

Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Wells 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Surface 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Import 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Total 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total In 

Basin 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

2001 Actual 

Usage 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Community Water Company 90 290 380 380 163

Gorgoza Mutual Water Co. 96 1,232 1,328 1,328 583

High Valley Water Co. 162 162 162 75

Mountain Regional SSD 202 2,318 2,520 2,520 1,697

Park City Municipal Corporation 5,852 1,344 1,000 8,196 7,196 4,728

Summit Water Distribution Co. 686 2,323 452 3,460 3,460 2,065

Summit Co. Service #3 206 206 206 80

Timberline Special Imp. Dist. 60 60 60 16

Others 427 427 427 427

Totals 6,835 8,162 742 1,000 16,739 15,739 9,834

Surplus/(Deficit) 5,905

Assumptions: Summit Water Treatment Plant is rated at 1/4 the annual production because it operates in summer months only. 

Park City Import is contract water delivered by Jordanelle Special Service District under long-term contract. 

Assumes wells at 1/2 installed capacity, springs at full capacity and surface water as shown in Table 2-1. 

Most of the flows shown under springs for Park City are actually tunnels. 

TABLE 2-2 

2003 Annual Water Production Estimate Method One (Using Maximum Installed Capacities) 

Water Supplier 

Springs 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Wells 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Surface 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Import 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total In 

Basin 

(AcFt/Yr) 

2001 

Actual 

Usage 

(AcFt/Yr) 

Community Water Company 162 323 485 485 163

Gorgoza Mutual Water Co. 113 1,581 1,694 1,694 583

High Valley Water Co. 190 190 190 75

Mountain Regional SSD 202 2,736 2,937 2,937 1,697

Park City Municipal Corporation 8,307 2,420 1,000 11,726 10,726 4,728

Summit Water Distribution Co. 807 2,984 907 4,698 4,698 2,065

Summit Co. Service #3 234 234 234 80

Timberline Special Imp. Dist. 68 68 68 16

Others 427 427 427 427

Totals 9,428 10,801 1,230 1,000 22,459 21,459 9,834

Surplus/(Deficit) 11,625

Assumptions: Use 1/2 well capacity and full spring and surface water capacities shown in Table 2-1. 

Most of the flows shown under springs for Park City are actually tunnels. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-12 

TABLE 2-4 

2003 Annual Water Production Capacity Estimate Method Three (Using Peaking Factor 

Adjustment) 

Water Supplier 

Springs

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Wells 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Surface 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Import 

(Ac-Ft/Yr)

Total 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total In 

Basin 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

2001 Actual 

Usage 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Community Water Company 141 140 281 281 163

Gorgoza Mutual Water Co. 49 1,375 1,424 1,424 583

High Valley Water Co. 166 166 166 75

Mountain Regional SSD 88 2,379 2,467 2,467 1,697

Park City Municipal Corporation 3,612 2,104 1,000 6,716 5,716 4,728

Summit Water Distribution Co. 351 2,595 394 3,340 3,340 2,065

Summit Co. Service #3 203 203 203 80

Timberline Special Imp. Dist. 59 59 59 16

Others 371 371 371 427

Totals 4,099 9,393 535 1,000 15,026 14,026 9,834

Surplus/(Deficit) 4,192

Assumptions: Use Installed or maximum flow rate shown in Table 2-1 and adjust for peak by dividing by the peaking factor of 2.3 

(for springs and surface water (for wells, the maximum is doubled and then divided by 2.3). 

Most of the flows shown under springs for Park City are actually tunnels. 

2.4.2 Limiting Factors 

The actual available water within the Snyderville Basin is somewhat lower than the Method 3 

Estimate, due to several factors. The most significant limiting factor is the lack of long-term 

storage capacity available in the Basin. Typically, the storage is short-term in nature and 

designed to meet daily demands only. If large storage facilities were available, the surplus water 

currently available during the winter and spring months could be utilized to a greater extent than 

is currently possible. 

Another limiting factor is that each system is operated independently from the others. When one 

system is experiencing its peak demand, it cannot be met using another system's resources. 

There are interconnections between some water systems to provide this capability, but they are 

not wide spread. The history of competition among water providers in the Snyderville Basin, 

limits the amount of cooperation achievable to meet each other's needs. 

2.4.3 Water Rights and Groundwater Systems 

A review of the water rights in the Snyderville Basin, indicates that there are significantly more 

paper water rights than physical water. The 2004 Water Use Plans submitted to the State 

Engineer by the various public water suppliers, indicate that they have asserted water rights in 

the Snyderville Basin totaling just over 28,000 acre-feet. However, during the recent series of 

dry years, these entities have only been able to withdraw approximately 10,000 acre-feet per 

year. In addition to the water rights held by the public water supply agencies, there are many 

private water rights for which water use plans are not submitted. 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) performed a surface and groundwater budget study of the 

Snyderville Basin in 1998, (USGS, Tech. Pub. No. 115) and concluded that surface and 

groundwater systems are closely connected. The USGS divided the Snyderville Basin into six 

sub-basins and estimated the movement of surface and groundwater between the subbasins. The 

USGS further concluded that, "The rapid increase in discharge to streams and springs that results 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-13 

from the recharge effects of snowmelt is indicative of a groundwater system with little storage." 

This leads to the conclusion that an increase in groundwater pumping will quickly reduce surface 

water discharge. Conversely, increased surface water usage will decrease groundwater 

infiltration in adjacent areas. 

2.4.4 Surface Water Sources 

There are currently three sources of surface water supplying public water systems within the 

Snyderville Basin. The first is Willow Creek. The Willow Creek supply is treated in one of the 

oldest treatment plants in the area. This plant is operated by Community Water Company and is 

located in Willow Draw just north of The Canyons Ski Resort. This plant was constructed in the 

early 1980's, and is a traditional filter plant that has a maximum capacity of 0.29 MGD 

(200 gpm) and is rated by the county at 0.26 MGD (180 gpm). This plant provides water to the 

Community Water Company and The Canyons Ski Resort. 

The second water supply is diverted from East Canyon Creek, under water rights owned by 

SWDC. The diversion point is located just south of SWDC's treatment plant. However, SWDC 

has agreed to not divert to its treatment plant during periods when the stream flow is less than 

3.5 cfs (2.3 MGD/1,570 gpm). To treat this water, SWDC constructed a water treatment plant 

along East Canyon Creek, just upstream from the Snyderville Basin Wastewater Reclamation 

Facility, in 2002. This plant is a pressure membrane plant that has an installed capacity of 5.5 

MGD (3,820 gpm). Due to the limited water supply to the plant the County has rated the 

capacity of the plant at 1.6 MGD (1,120 gpm). It operates primarily in the spring and summer 

months when there is sufficient water flowing in East Canyon Creek. 

Plans have been developed to further develop this water supply by construction of pump stations 

and a pipeline from East Canyon Reservoir to the treatment plant site. A portion of the pipeline 

has been installed in the Jeremy Ranch Development with the balance of the system awaiting 

development. With the construction of the pipeline and pump stations, it is anticipated that the 

full 5.5 MGD (3,820 gpm) existing capacity would be utilized. Space is provided in the 

treatment plant to increase the capacity of the plant to 22 MGD (15,500 gpm) by adding 

additional treatment equipment. Initial plans are to import up to 5,000 acre-feet of water from 

East Canyon Reservoir each year, with an ultimate capacity of up to 12,500 acre-feet per year. 

These plans are further discussed in Chapter 5 as a part of future development options. 

The third surface water source is water imported from the Weber River through the new Lost 

Creek Canyon Pipeline to MRWSSD's new Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant, located in The 

Promontory Point Development, east of Highway U.S. Highway 40. The facilities to pump 

1,600 acre-feet per year have been operational since October 2004. This plant is a pressure 

membrane plant with an initial capacity of 3.0 MGD (2,080 gpm). The source of the water 

supply is the Weber River above Rockport Reservoir. MRWSSD has constructed a series of 

infiltration wells near the banks of the river where water is pumped to a booster pump station 

then transmitted up the mountainside to Promontory Point Treatment Plant. The plant is 

expandable to 6.0 MGD (4,200 gpm) within the treatment building. Water is purchased from 

WBWCD to supply the system. WBWCD and MRWSSD have been investigating ways to 

increase the water supply to this system from either Rockport Reservoir or from the Weber River 

just upstream of the reservoir. A study was conducted by Reclamation to examine the possible 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-14 

diversion options. The preferred option from that study is incorporated into the list of potential 

options presented in Chapter 5 of this report. 

2.4.5 State Engineer's Interim Groundwater Management Plan 

To determine available in-Basin water supplies, the State Engineer used modeling software to 

extend the stream gauging data for East Canyon Creek and Silver Creek and develop 50 years of 

synthetic record. From this data, annual discharge from the Basin was determined for each 

creek. The State Engineer then selected the driest year at each gauge (the dry years were not the 

same for both gauges), summed the two total annual values, and came up with 23,700 acre-feet 

of total "dry year" or "safe" yield of the Basin. The State Engineer further determined that public 

water supply agencies should only depend on this 23,700 acre-feet of dry year supply. In the 

analysis, the State Engineer determined that this is the amount that can be depleted, not just 

diverted. However, if this amount were to be fully depleted, discharge from the Basin would be 

reduced to zero in the driest year. 

In order to determine the distribution of the 23,700 acre-feet per year, the State Engineer 

proportionately distributed this volume between the six subbasins found in the USGS study. The 

State Engineer then estimated using a standard methodology, the amount of current depletion in 

the Basin based on approved uses. That effort resulted in an estimate of between 11,000 and 

12,000 acre-feet of existing approved annual depletion. The State Engineer then found that in 

two of the six subbasins, all of the allocated depletion has been committed under existing rights. 

In reviewing future change applications to move water rights, the State Engineer will use these 

totals to determine if additional water can be developed in each subbasin. Using the single driest 

year in each basin to calculate the safe yield is a very conservative method. In the absence of 

better data, this was considered a reasonable approach. However, the water needs to be 

physically available when needed in order to be a legitimate source. 

The 23,700 acre-feet of safe or dry year yield from the Snyderville Basin is sufficient to supply 

the present and most future needs of the Basin residents if the supply matched the demand or if 

there was significant storage. However, the water that is available in the high runoff period as 

shown in Figure 2-2, does not correspond with the same time period as peak demands. Further, 

much of this high flow or runoff water discharges from the Basin and cannot be used because of 

downstream water rights that require the runoff water to be stored in East Canyon or Echo 

Reservoirs. 

2.4.6 Comparison of Available Supplies with Basin Safe Yield 

Figure 2-2 below depicts two hydrographs charted over the water year of October 1 to September 

30. The area under the top hydrograph represents the 23,700 acre-feet of safe yield of the Basin, 

including the East Canyon Creek and Silver Creek drainages. The shape of this graph was 

patterned after the hydrograph of the data from the streamflow gage on East Canyon Creek for 

the years 1990-1995. Using this pattern, the graph was developed for the total volume of 23,700 

acre-feet. The area under the lower hydrograph represents the 2003 Adjusted Peak Water Supply 

Production Capacity of the Basin water supply systems, which is estimated at approximately 

14,000 acre-feet as shown in Table 2-4. This graph is represented on the figure as Available 

Supply. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

2-15 

Downstream Storage

 FIGURE 2-2 

Snyderville Basin Safe Yield vs. Available Supply 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-1 

Chapter 3 – Current M&I Demands 

3.1 Introduction 

This chapter presents current M&I water use information for the study area (including water for 

parks, golf courses, etc.). Agricultural water use is discussed in Chapter 4 as a part of the section 

on Projected Future Supplies. The data collected for the most recent update of the M&I Water 

Supplies Study (M&I Study) for the Weber River Basin has been used as a basis for this report. 

Some of the information considered includes data from related investigations recently completed 

by UDWR and the Utah Division of Water Rights. 

3.2 Data Collection and Methodology 

Each year, UDWR targets particular hydrologic basins or study areas for M&I water supply and 

use analysis. The Division of Water Right’s water use data form sent to UDWR by the 

community water systems of the state is the primary tool for these analyses. 

UDWR contacts the manager and/or operator(s) of each public community water system (as 

defined by UDDW) to schedule a data analysis meeting. During such meetings, UDWR attempts 

to retrieve any missing data as well as obtain an overall feeling of the supplies and demands of 

the water system, in case estimates are necessary. All of the community water systems for the 

various basins studied have cooperated and provided the necessary M&I water supply and use 

data. 

An important part of the data collection process is to determine the present water use for each 

community water system. Present water use, as defined herein, includes the developed water 

that is actually diverted into the distribution system from surface or subsurface sources. 

The most recent M&I study for the Weber River Basin was started in May 2002 by UDWR. 

Data from the 2001 Municipal and Industrial Water Use Forms, distributed by the Division of 

Water Rights in cooperation with UDWR and UDDW, were used as a basis for the study. The 

data for the Snyderville Basin that is shown in this chapter was presented to local water providers 

in the fall of 2004 to identify significant discrepancies and ensure its accuracy. 

3.3 M&I Water Use Classifications 

M&I water use is divided into four categories: residential, commercial, institutional, and 

industrial. The residential category includes water used in residential homes for inside and 

outside uses. The commercial category includes water use for retail establishments and 

businesses. The institutional category includes water use for Government facilities, military 

facilities, schools, hospitals, churches, parks, cemeteries, golf courses, etc. The industrial 

category includes industrial and mining with a wide variety of water uses associated with 

businesses that produce a specific product. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-2 

3.3.1 Residential Use 

This use is associated with residential cooking, drinking water, clothes washing, personal 

grooming and sanitation, irrigation of lawns, gardens and landscapes, and miscellaneous inside 

and outside cleaning. Single family homes, apartments, duplexes, and condominiums are some 

examples of buildings with residential water use. 

UDWR collects data from the system operator about the number of residential connections and 

the amount of water used by those connections. Water use in this category is divided into three 

subcategories: culinary-outside, culinary-inside, and secondary-outside use. The first step in 

calculating the amount of water used in each of these subcategories is determining the amount of 

indoor water use. When individual water meter readings are available, indoor water use can be 

estimated by looking at several individual homes' winter meter readings, totaling the water use, 

and dividing it by the number of households and/or residents. If this method yields an 

unreasonable value, then UDWR will use information from their December 2000 report of 

Identifying Residential Water Use. The report contains a graph that indicates the relationship of 

persons per household and the appropriate indoor water use in gallons per capita per day 

(GPCD). The person per household data is obtained from the Utah State Governor's Office of 

Planning and Budget. This data is retrieved for each county and used with the above-mentioned 

graph to obtain a GPCD value. This value is then multiplied by the community water system's 

customer population to yield the water system's total indoor water use. 

Once indoor water use has been determined for the year, it is then subtracted from the total year's 

residential water use given by the system's operator. The result represents the amount of water 

used during the summer months for outdoor applications. This amount is then checked with the 

value calculated by using the average lot size within the water system's service area, percentage 

that is irrigated, the irrigation efficiency, and the consumptive water use for the type of 

landscaping in the area. 

3.3.2 Commercial Use 

Commercial water uses are normally associated with small business operations that may include 

drinking water, food preparation, personal sanitation, facility cleaning and maintenance, and 

irrigation of facility landscapes. Retail businesses, restaurants, and hotels are some examples 

where commercial water use occurs. 

For most systems, the system operator can separate metered commercial water use data from the 

total water use. In cases where this data is not available or is extremely difficult to obtain, 

UDWR attempts to estimate commercial water use by inventorying commercial businesses in the 

area and using published commercial water use estimates. These publications come from the 

UDDW and from reports published by the Utah State Water Laboratory. In some rural 

communities where there are a relatively small number of commercial connections, the 

businesses are individually visited by UDWR and asked about their water use. 

3.3.3 Institutional Use 

Institutional water uses are normally associated with the general operation of various public 

agencies and institutions. Examples include water used for city, county, state and Federal 

Government facilities, parks, golf courses, schools, hospitals, churches, military facilities, fire 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-3 

hydrant testing, and other municipal losses in the water system. Because this water use is rarely 

metered in total, the process to acquire this data is difficult. Again, the system operator is asked 

to provide information about city facilities such as number and size of parks, schools, churches, 

and golf courses. Water right duty rates for the area are used to calculate the amount of water 

these areas use. Also, the estimates made of leakage and testing of water system facilities is 

included in this category. 

3.3.4 Industrial Use 

Industrial water use is associated with the manufacturing or production of products. The volume 

of water used by industrial businesses can be considerably greater than water used by 

commercial businesses. Manufacturing plants, oil and gas producers, mining companies, and 

dairies are some examples where industrial water use occurs. Industrial water use within 

community water systems is acquired with the same process used to obtain commercial water use 

data discussed earlier. 

3.3.5 Private-Domestic Use 

Private domestic use includes water from private wells or springs for use in individual homes, 

usually in rural areas not accessible to public water supply systems. Due to the lack of records 

associated with this type of water use, quantities are usually estimated. Generally, a population 

assumed to be served by private wells is determined by taking the difference between the total 

population of a county or other jurisdiction and the number of people served by the public 

community water system(s) within the jurisdictional boundaries. Calculated gallons per capita 

water use rates for the area are then used to determine a total use for this category. A record of 

the number of active private well water rights is another method of determining private domestic 

water use. Each active water right is assumed to be a "typical" family, using approximately 

1 acre-foot of water annually. 

3.4 M&I Water Use Data 

By definition, municipal and industrial (M&I) water use is a combination of all residential, 

commercial, institutional, and industrial uses. It includes the total water (potable and 

non potable) supplied by public water systems (community and non community), self-supplied 

industries, private domestic systems, and secondary irrigation companies. 

Within the study area are the following public community water systems: Community Water 

System, Gorgoza Mutual Water Company, High Valley Water Company, Mountain Regional 

Special Service District, Park City Water, Summit County Service Area No. 3, Summit Water 

Distribution Company, and Timberline Special Improvement District. Also included in the study 

area are the self-supplied industries Duke Energy Field Services and United Park City Mines 

Company, along with the Summit County Public Works facility. 

3.4.1 Current Use Estimates 

Table 3-4 summarizes the 2001 total M&I water use for the study area which is further broken 

down by system and category of use in Tables 3-1 through 3-3 as explained below. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-4 

Table 3-1 shows a breakdown of the potable water use for each public community system for the 

base data year of 2001. This table shows that for the study area, the total current annual potable 

water use is 8,182 acre-feet. Given a service population of 23,065 people, the per capita daily 

potable water use of public community water systems in the study area is 317 gpcd. 

Secondary water is another important aspect of total M&I water use. Table 3-2 shows the 

amount of secondary water use for public community systems. In the study area, secondary 

water is supplied for some residential uses, but mostly for commercial and institutional purposes, 

for a total use of 1,225 acre-feet. 

Table 3-3 gives the estimated water use for public non-community systems and private domestic 

systems. Summit County Public Works is one of the three non-community systems within the 

study area. There are two self-supplied industries in the study area. Combined, these uses 

amount to 153 acre-feet of potable water and 274 acre-feet of non-potable water for the year 

2001. 

Total potable M&I water use in the study area for 2001 is 8,335 acre-feet, while non-potable 

water use is 1,499 acre-feet, giving a total M&I water use of 9,834 acre-feet. 

TABLE 3-1 

2001 Potable Water Use for Public Community Water Systems

POTABLE USAGE (Acre-Feet/Year) 

Summit County Water 

Supplier 

Residential 

Indoor 

Residential 

Outdoor 

Commercial 

Total 

Institutional 

Total 

Industrial 

Total 

TOTAL 

M&I 

Service 

Population

Gallons 

Per 

Capita 

Per Day 

Community Water Co. 77 44 42 0 0 163 200 727

Gorgoza Mutual Water Co. 305 239 0 40 0 583 3,340 156

High Valley Water Co. 30 45 0 0 0 75 450 149

Mountain Regional SSD 576 1,021 60 15 5 1,677 5,760 260

Park City Culinary Water 630 1,822 1,146 150 0 3,748 8,050 416

Summit Co Service #3 34 46 0 0 0 80 420 170

Summit Water Distribution 437 1,253 135 15 0 1,840 4,660 352

Timberline Special Imp. Dist. 13 3 0 0 0 16 185 78

STUDY AREA TOTALS 2,102 4,472 1,384 220 5 8,182 23,065 317
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-5 

TABLE 3-2 

2001 Secondary Water Use in Public Community Systems

Summit County Water 

Supplier 

Residential 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Commercial 

Use 

 (Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Institutional 

Use 

 (Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Industrial/ 

Stockwater 

Use 

 (Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total 

Secondary 

Use 

 (Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Community Water Company 0 0 0 0 0

Gorgoza Mutual Water Co. 0 0 0 0 0

High Valley Water Company 0 0 0 0 0

Mountain Regional SSD 20 0 0 0 20

Park City Culinary Water 100 650 230 0 980

Summit Co Service No.3 0 0 0 0 0

Summit Water Distribution 0 225 0 0 225

Timberline Special Service Dist. 0 0 0 0 0

STUDY AREA TOTALS 120 875 230 0 1,225

TABLE 3-3 

2001 Water Use for Public Non-Community Water Systems, 

Self-Supplied Industries and Private Domestic Systems 

POTABLE USAGE 

Residential 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Commercial 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Institutional 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Industrial/ 

Stockwater 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total 

Potable 

Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

Total 

Secondary 

Water Use 

(Ac-Ft/Yr) 

County Facilities: 

Summit County Public Works 0 0 2 0 2 0 

Subtotals 0 0 2 0 2 0 

Self-Supplied Industries1 0 0 0 1 1 274 

Private Domestic Systems 150 0 0 0 150 0 

STUDY AREA TOTALS 150 0 2 1 153 274 

1

Duke Energy Field Services, United Park City Mines Co. 

Note: The estimated population served by private domestic systems is 500 persons. 

TABLE 3-4 

2001 M&I Water Use Summary

Uses 

Potable 

(Acre-Ft/Yr) 

Secondary 

(Acre-Ft/Yr) 

Total Use 

(Acre-Ft/Yr) 

Water Use for Public Community Water Systems 8,182 1,225 9,407

Water Use for Non-Community, Self-Supplied 

Industries and Private Domestic Systems 153 274 427

Total Water Use 8,335 1,499 9,834
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

3-6 

3.4.2 Comparison of Current Use with Available Water Supply 

Figure 3-1 compares the current M&I water use in the study area with the basin safe yield and 

available water supply identified in Chapter 2. The area under the lower hydrograph is labeled 

as Current Uses and depicts the demand pattern of Park City (MWH, May 2002) multiplied by 

2.3 to adjust it to the total water supply volume of 9,834 acre-feet (UDWR) delivered by all 

entities in the Basin during 2001. From this figure, it can be seen that the Available Supply 

exceeds the Current Uses during much of the year. However without significant storage, this 

excess supply cannot be used to meet the peak period requirements. The supply is limited by the 

connections it can serve during peak demand periods. The figure shows that the current uses 

nearly match the presently available supply from August through November. 

Downstream Storage 

FIGURE 3-1 

Snyderville Basin Current M&I Use vs. Available Supply and Basin Safe 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-1 

Chapter 4 – Future Supply & Demand and 

Projected Needs 

4.1 Introduction 

This chapter presents the process used to determine future water demands and projected needs 

within the study area. It includes a discussion of population projections, determination of future 

demands, and calculation of future supplies which are assumed to be available without 

implementing any of the supply components described in Chapter 5. From this data, conclusions 

were drawn about projected water needs for 2030 and 2050. 

4.2 Population Projections 

Two different methodologies for projecting future population were considered: The Governor’s 

Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB), in conjunction with local Area of Governments (AOG), 

is the agency responsible for preparing population and other demographic projections for the 

State of Utah. In May 2005, the Mountainland AOG broke down the latest Governor's Office of 

Planning and Budget population projections for Summit County by incorporated cities and towns 

with the remainder as the balance of county. The city projections include Park City’s estimated 

population for each decade from 2010 through 2050. Using this data and the 2000 Census tract 

data as a guide to future population distribution, the population of the study area in 2030 was 

estimated to be 64,300. For 2050, the projected population was estimated to be 86,300. Table 4-

1 contains the GOPB population estimates for the study area. 

The other approach taken to forecast population for the study area was to consider the maximum 

potential development within the Basin. Summit County has adopted a land use plan 

(Snyderville Basin General Plan) that identifies where development will be permitted and how 

densely it will be allowed to develop. Park City also has a similar land use plan that establishes 

the projected densities within the city limits. Using the densities associated with each land use, 

populations at build out were estimated for the various land use categories. 

Comparatively, the two methods produced somewhat different results. While the GOPB 

projections estimate a study area population of approximately 86,300 by 2050, the build out 

method estimated the ultimate population within the study area to be only 75,600. Although the 

build-out method is often useful for planning purposes, this method assumes that current zoning 

laws and associated population densities will remain unchanged for the next 45 years. As 

experience in other communities demonstrates, zoning laws can and do change when property 

values increase and pressures mount to accommodate growth. Therefore, the higher GOPB 

population estimates were not considered unreasonable and are used for the purposes of this 

study. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-2 

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

2001 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Year

Acre-Feet

w/o Conservation

With Conservation

4.3 Projected Future Demands 

4.3.1 Demand Modeling 

UDWR has developed the Utah Water Demand/Supply model to project the future water 

demands. UDWR’s base water use data for the year 2001 and the GOPB population projections 

were used to estimate water demands within the study area for each 10-year period from 2010 to 

2050. These demands were projected both with and without water conservation. Figure 4-1 

shows the projected demands with and without conservation. 

FIGURE 4-1 

Projected Future Water Demands 

TABLE 4-1 

Snyderville Basin Population Projections

Population 

City/Area 2001 2010 2020 2030 2040* 2050* 

Park City 7,647 10,987 15,339 19,776 19,325 20,904

Balance of Snyderville Basin** 16,212 23,002 34,320 44,541 55,303 65,423

TOTAL 23,859 33,989 49,659 64,317 75,603 86,327

Source: Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, “2005 Baseline City Projections,” June 2005. 

* The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) models projections to 2030, all projections beyond this date 

are estimated using other methods and are provided by GOPB for scenario analysis. 

** Estimated based on 2000 Census population distribution. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-3 

Table 4-2 shows the projected demands for Park City and the rest of the Snyderville Basin for 

each 10-year increment without water conservation. Table 4-3 shows the projected demands for 

Park City and the rest of the Snyderville Basin for each 10-year increment with water 

conservation. The total water demand in 2030 without conservation is projected to be 25,300 

acre-feet. With conservation, the 2030 demand decreases by about 2,300 acre-feet to 

23,000 acre-feet per year. Projections for the year 2050 are similarly calculated. The total water 

demand in 2050 without conservation is projected to be 32,000 acre-feet. With conservation, the 

2050 demand is projected to decrease by about 5,000 acre-feet to 27,000 acre-feet per year. 

Figure 4-2 compares the 2030 and 2050 demands (with conservation) to the current demand, 

basin safe yield, and available supply as estimated in Chapters 2 and 3. 

Several water suppliers within the study area have indicated that using population-based demand 

projections to project future demands is problematic. Many have suggested that an equivalent 

residential connection method would be more appropriate. One reason for these concerns is the 

fact that a large segment of the water use in the area comes from a non-permanent or transient 

population (tourists, second homeowners, etc.). Another concern is that large landscape water 

use such as golf courses cannot be properly reflected in population-based units (such as gallons 

per capita per day). After carefully considering each of these concerns, UDWR determined that 

the methodology employed by the Utah Water Demand/Supply model adequately addresses 

these issues and there is little risk that the resulting water use projections underestimate actual 

future demands. 

TABLE 4-2 

Projected Future M&I Demands (Without Conservation) 

M&I Water Demand* (acre-feet) 

City/Area 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 

Park City 6,794 9,485 12,228 11,949 12,926

Balance of Snyderville Basin 6,975 10,198 13,108 16,449 19,052

TOTAL 13,769 19,683 25,336 28,398 31,978

* Includes 427 acre-feet of public non-community system use. See Table 3-3. 

TABLE 4-3 

Projected Future M&I Demands (With Conservation) 

M&I Water Demand* (acre-feet) 

City/Area 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 

Park City 6,598 8,908 11,094 10,458 10,899

Balance of Snyderville Basin 6,787 9,603 11,930 14,450 16,132

TOTAL 13,385 18,511 23,024 24,908 27,031

* Includes 427 acre-feet of public non-community system use. See Table 3-3. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-4 

FIGURE 4-2 

Comparison of 2030 and 2050 Demands (with Conservation) 

to Current Demand and Available Supply 

4.3.2 Water Conservation 

As demonstrated above, water conservation will play a significant role in helping water suppliers 

in the area to meet future needs. In addition to this important benefit, water conservation may 

also: 

• Conserve energy as less water needs to be treated, pumped and distributed. 

• Lessen the leaching of chemicals and other pollutants into streams and aquifers as water 

is applied more efficiently to urban landscapes and agricultural crops. 

• Reduce future stream diversions and groundwater withdrawals that would otherwise 

occur, thereby enhancing water quality, environmental and recreational functions of 

natural waterways (UDWR, 2003b). 

The State of Utah has developed a specific goal to conserve water use directly linked to M&I 

needs. This goal is to reduce per capita water demand from public community systems by at 

least 25 percent from 1995 to 2050. In the Snyderville Basin and Park City area, the 

accomplishment of this goal is estimated to be equivalent to a total decrease in demand of 

approximately 5,000 acre-feet per year by 2050. This reduction would account for a significant 

portion of the area’s anticipated future water needs. This goal is based on modeling and research 

that indicates indoor and outdoor water use can be reduced by 25 percent or more with little 

change in lifestyle. (UDWR, 2003b). 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-5 

Recognizing the importance of water conservation to Utah’s future, the Utah Legislature passed 

the Water Conservation Plan Act in 1999. This act requires each water retailer with more than 

500 connections, and all water conservancy districts, to prepare water conservation plans and 

submit them to UDWR. Water conservation plans are to be updated and resubmitted every 5 

years from the original submittal date. In addition to this legislative requirement, the state’s 

water funding boards require any entity requesting funds for water projects to have a water 

conservation plan in place, regardless of its size. Only five of the eight systems in the study area 

are required by law to prepare a water conservation plan. Of the three that are not required to do 

so, only High Valley Water has submitted a plan. 

Although the Water Conservation Plan Act has helped elevate the importance of water 

conservation planning in the Snyderville Basin area, water providers in the area must set strong 

water conservation goals and ensure they are met by implementing appropriate measures. If a 

significant effort to achieve water conservation goals is not made, it may be difficult to justify 

large investments in new water development projects by state and Federal Governments. 

Many western mountain resort communities have implemented stricter watering ordinances, such 

as no outside watering or using only native plants requiring no additional water on all new 

construction. If Government entities in the study area were to implement similar ordinances for 

all new construction, the conservation goals discussed above could be more easily met. The 

current per capita use for indoor residential, commercial, and institutional categories amounts to 

about 150 gpcd. With a current total water use of 317 gpcd, there is a significant potential for 

reduction of outdoor water use in the study area. 

Water conservation efforts within the Snyderville Basin have yielded significant results in recent 

years. All three of the major water suppliers within the Study area (Park City, Mountain 

Regional Water Special Service District, and Summit Water Distribution Company) have 

realized declines in total demand in the neighborhood of 25 percent in just a few years. While 

drought-related responses certainly played a significant role in these reductions, it is likely that 

residents within the Basin will maintain at least a portion of these gains into the future. In order 

to help this to happen, the conservation message will need to continue to be emphasized during 

years of normal and above normal precipitation. 

4.3.3 Wastewater Dilution Requirements 

For the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District (SBWRD) to meet its State Discharge 

Permit requirements for discharging its treated M&I wastewater to East Canyon Creek, it has to 

rely on a minimum stream flow for dilution of the effluent to meet the designated beneficial uses 

for East Canyon Creek. The SBWRD is considering an upgrade to its treatment facility from the 

existing “Type 1” effluent treatment to reverse osmosis in order to comply with phosphorus 

limits. The current limit for phosphorus is 100 ppb, but the state is looking at reducing the limit 

to 50 ppb. SBWRD recently completed a very costly upgrade of its treatment system to meet the 

100 ppb limit, and if this additional upgrade is necessary, it may be cheaper to purchase water for 

instream dilution flows, or to reduce its discharge volume by reuse. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-6 

Under a contract with SBWRD, Kleinfelder, Inc., recently completed a flow augmentation study 

on East Canyon Creek to determine the quantity of water that would be required to maintain 

minimum instream flows to allow achievement of beneficial uses designated for East Canyon 

Creek (“East Canyon Creek Flow Augmentation Feasibility Study: Summit and Morgan 

Counties, Utah, February 2005”). That study concluded that the maximum amount of 

augmentation to meet the instream flow goals is calculated to be approximately 1,095 acre-feet, 

which would provide a minimum 6 cfs for instream flow from July through September. This 

requirement is shown in the study for the year 2030, since 2030 is the planning time frame of the 

SBWRD. As the population increases, however, an additional 500 acre-feet would be needed by 

the year 2050 for a total need of about 1,600 acre-feet in 2050. SBWRD is interested in planning 

this future demand as part of the overall long-term demand addressed by this current study. 

Including this industrial water requirement of 1,100 acre-feet for 2030 and 1,600 acre-feet for 

2050 as a part of the projected demand leaves water reuse as a potential development option that 

may be used to meet future needs. 

4.3.4 Susceptible Mine Tunnel Flows 

A large portion (approximately 50 percent) of the water used by Park City comes from old mine 

tunnels. The mining operations have ceased and the tunnels used for water supply are being 

maintained by Park City for water supply purposes. Because the tunnels are old and the 

maintenance being performed is only sufficient to keep the water flowing, if a tunnel collapse 

were to occur, the city's ability to meet peak demands would be at least temporarily reduced until 

repairs could be made or replacement sources developed. The city is also concerned that 

maintenance of the tunnels will become increasingly more difficult and expensive as the tunnels 

age and as the availability of qualified miners continues to decline. 

The tunnels also have unique water quality issues associated with their use for drinking water 

purposes. The mines are former lead and silver mines and they contain heavy metals, arsenic, 

antimony, and other potential contaminants. The city has to carefully operate the tunnel systems 

so as to limit the amount of contaminants in the water supply. It also has to treat some of the 

water from the tunnels to remove contaminants. Concern over the long-term effects of potential 

contaminants on the water supply raises issues with the reliability of these sources. For these 

reasons, the city is interested in developing 2,000 acre-feet of additional supply to provide 

backup in case of emergencies even though they are expected to continue using the mine tunnel 

water as long as it is available and of acceptable quality. 

4.3.5 Adjusted M&I Demand 

Adding the effluent dilution requirement (1,100 to 1,600 acre-feet per year) and susceptible mine 

tunnel volume (2,000 acre-feet per year) to the total demand projected with conservation as 

shown previously in Table 4-3 yields an adjusted total M&I demand for the study area as shown 

in Table 4-4. For purposes of this study, the 2030 demand of 23,000 acre-feet per year (with 

conservation) and 2050 demand of 27,000 acre-feet per year (with conservation) are the demands 

that will need to be met by a combination of the projected reliable supplies discussed below and 

the water supply development options presented in Chapter 5. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-7 

4.4 Projected Reliable Supplies 

There are a number of water supply resources in the study area which were not included in the 

existing supplies discussed in Chapter 2 but which, for purposes of this report, are assumed to be 

available supplies for 2030 and 2050. These include the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Project, the 

Jordanelle Special Service District import, additional groundwater supplies, and agricultural 

water conversions. Also, the need for continued system surplus/reserve will continue into the 

future. Following is a discussion of each, including the amount by which they are expected to 

affect future available supplies. It is important to note that this study assumes that these water 

supply resources are developed concurrently with the growing population and are utilized to 

become part of the projected reliable supplies. 

4.4.1 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 

The Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Project was completed and dedicated in October 2004. The 

current capacity of this project is 1,600 acre-feet per year. The source water comes from shallow 

wells near the Weber River above Rockport Reservoir. The existing infrastructure included in 

this importation project consists of the following: a shallow groundwater well system on the 

Weber River; a booster pump station; approximately 27,000 linear feet of 24-inch water 

transmission line to convey water from the well system to the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant; 

a 3 MGD (2,080 gpm), expandable to 6 MGD (4,200 gpm), membrane water treatment plant 

located on the ridgeline above Three Mile Canyon; and two open reservoirs totaling 

approximately 15 acre-feet of raw water storage (Aqua Engineering, 2003). Current agreements 

contemplate that the pipeline may potentially convey up to 6,600 acre-feet per year to the 

Snyderville Basin. Although an expansion of the water importation capability of this system is 

presented as a potential water supply system component in Chapter 5, for purposes of 

TABLE 4-4 

Adjusted M&I Demands

Population or 

Volume (acre-feet) 

2030* 2050* 

Population 64,300 86,300 

Calculated M&I Demand 25,300 32,000 

Water Conservation (2,300) (5,000) 

Net M&I Demand 23,000 27,000 

Minimum Instream Flow / Effluent 

Dilution Requirement 1,100 1,600 

Susceptible Mine Tunnel Flows 2,000 2,000 

Adjusted M&I Demand 26,100 30,600 

* Rounded to nearest 100 acre-feet.
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-8 

determining projected future needs, this infrastructure is assumed to contribute 1,600 acre-feet 

per year to the reliable supplies for 2030 and 2050. 

4.4.2 Jordanelle Special Service District Import 

Park City currently receives water from Jordanelle Special Service District (JSSD) under a 20-

year lease. This water comes from the Ontario Drain Tunnel. The current delivered flow 

capacity is approximately 1.4 MGD (1,000 gpm) and up to 1,000 acre-feet per year. The 

facilities for this delivery have already been constructed and are in operation. They consist of a 

filtration water treatment plant located at the mouth of the Ontario Drain Tunnel on the 

northwest side of Jordanelle Reservoir and approximately 15,400 linear feet of 12-inch treated 

water transmission pipeline. Even though the 1,000 acre-feet per year delivery contract expires 

in 2022, both Park City and JSSD expect deliveries will continue in perpetuity. 

4.4.3 Additional Groundwater Development 

In its study of the Basin, the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) found the groundwater system in the 

Snyderville Basin to be highly compartmentalized. Pumping of groundwater in one 

compartment does not appear to directly affect groundwater levels in other compartments. While 

it is possible that the majority of the best groundwater sources have already been developed by 

the existing water suppliers in the Basin, it is still very likely that additional groundwater 

development will occur. While the three largest water suppliers in the area (Park City, Mountain 

Regional Special Service District, and Summit Water Distribution Company), do not intend to 

develop any substantial amount of additional groundwater, other smaller entities and individuals 

with approved groundwater rights will likely continue to develop small quantities of 

groundwater. For purposes of the projected needs calculations in this chapter, it is assumed that 

these groundwater developments will add 200 acre-feet per year to the 2030 reliable supplies and 

300 acre-feet per year to the 2050 reliable supplies. 

4.4.4 Agricultural Water Conversions 

As with other urbanizing areas of the state, lands historically used for agriculture in the 

Snyderville Basin are being developed into homes and businesses. Based on the State 

Engineer’s calculations of depletion, a portion of the water once used on irrigated lands becomes 

available to meet the needs of the new M&I uses. The depletion allowed for the new use can be 

no greater than the depletion allowed for the agricultural use, and there may be limitations on the 

new use if there would be adverse effects to other water right holders in the area. 

UDWR inventories water related land use for the entire state on a rotating basis. In 2003, 

surface irrigated acreage within the study area was estimated to be 1,100 acres. At the current 

development rate, and realizing that some of the lands are currently protected under conservation 

easements as open space and others will likely be protected, it is estimated that in 2050 the 

irrigated acreage will decline to less than a few hundred acres. 

By 2050, UDWR estimates that 300 acres of irrigated lands have associated water rights that 

could be converted. The water associated with these lands that should become available for M&I 

uses would be between 400 and 500 acre-feet per year. For purposes of the projected needs 

calculations in this chapter, it is assumed that these conversions will add 400 acre-feet per year to 

the 2030 reliable supplies and 500 acre-feet to the 2050 reliable supplies. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-9 

4.4.5 System Surplus/Reserve Capacity Needs 

As discussed in Chapter 2, the actual reliable water supply within the Snyderville Basin may be 

somewhat lower than the estimate of 14,000 acre-feet per year of available supply (see Table 2-4 

and Section 2.4.2). Subtracting the actual 2001 use of 9,800 (rounded) acre-feet from 14,000 

acre-feet leaves a difference of 4,200 acre-feet per year. There are a number of factors which 

currently prevent the use of much of this surplus supply. One of the major limiting factors is that 

each system is operated independently from the others. When one system is experiencing its 

peak demand, it cannot be met using another system’s resources. There are some 

interconnections between water systems to provide this capability, but they are not widespread. 

The history of competition among water providers in the Snyderville Basin has also limited the 

amount of cooperation achievable to meet each other’s needs. In addition to these concerns, 

much of this surplus or reserve capacity, does not correspond to peak demand times, and without 

additional surface storage in the Basin, is not available when needed. 

Furthermore, local water suppliers and prudent water planning standards stress the importance of 

providing a sufficient amount of reserve capacity to prevent shortages during emergencies, when 

some water sources may not be available. As a result, for purposes of this study, this surplus or 

reserve capacity of 4,200 acre-feet per year has been subtracted from projected reliable supplies. 

This volume of water needed for reserve capacity is expected to increase in the future as the 

M&I demand grows and greater stress is placed on existing water systems. The ability to share 

water supplies among water providers is also expected to improve, as more interconnects are 

constructed and the area becomes more densely populated bringing systems closer together. For 

purposes of this study, the projected percentages of total available supplies needed for reserve 

capacity will reduce from the current 30 percent to 20 percent for years 2030 and 2050. This 

reserve capacity is therefore computed to be 6,500 acre-feet in the year 2030 and 7,500 acre-feet 

in 2050. Table 4-5 summarizes the projected reliable supplies as discussed in this section and as 

used for the calculation of projected needs. 

4.5 Projected Future Needs 

In order to calculate the projected future additional M&I water needs within the Snyderville 

Basin, the projected reliable supplies are subtracted from the adjusted M&I demands as shown in 

Table 4-5. As shown from this calculation, an additional water supply of approximately 15,400 

acre-feet will be needed in 2030 and 20,700 acre-feet will be needed in 2050. These numbers 

represent the future supply deficits that need to be satisfied by the various water supply options 

presented in Chapter 5. 
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

4-10 

TABLE 4-5 

Projected M&I Needs

Volume (acre-feet) 

2001 2030 2050

Adjusted M&I Demand 9,800 23,000 27,000

In-stream Flow & Dilution Req. 0 1,100 1,600

Mine tunnel replacement water 0 2,000 2,000

Projected M&I Demand 9,800 26,100 30,600

Existing Supplies* 14,000 14,000 14,000

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Project 0 1,600 1,600

Jordanelle Special Service District 

Import 

0 1,000 1,000

Additional Groundwater 0 200 300

Agricultural Conversions 0 400 500

Reserve Capacity (4,200) (6,500) (7,500)

Projected Reliable Supply 9,800 10,700 9,900

Projected Additional M&I Needs** 0 15,400 20,700

* Available supply from Chapter 2 (rounded to nearest 100 acre-feet). 

** Projected M&I Demand minus Projected Reliable Supply. 
Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Chapter 5 – Future Development 

5.1 Introduction 

This chapter presents the potential development options which have been identified to meet 

projected future water needs of Park City and the remainder of the Snyderville Basin. These 

projected needs for 2030 and 2050, as described in Chapter 4, are 15,400 acre-feet per year and 

20,700 acre-feet per year, respectively. A combination of the options discussed below will be 

needed to meet these future demands. 

5.2 Potential Future Development Options 

Nine options have been identified for developing water to meet future needs. The first three, 

listed below, are in-Basin development options, while the remaining six are importation options 

that bring water from outside the Snyderville Basin Study Area. Importation options consider 

opportunities from each of the three adjacent drainage basins; Provo River (Option 4), East 

Canyon Creek (Option 5), and the Weber River (Options 6, 7, 8 and 9). Each of the Weber River 

Options (6, 7, 8 and 9) are separate methods/alignments for delivering the same 5,000 acre-feet 

of Weber Basin water to the Snyderville Basin, and are therefore not additive. Only one of the 

four can be recommended for development. These nine options, as shown on the map in Figure 

5-1, are as follows: 

 In-Basin Development 

1. Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage 

2. Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater 

3. Water Reuse 

 Provo River Importation 

4. Provo River - JSSD 

 East Canyon Creek Importation 

5. East Canyon Pipeline 

 Weber River Importation 

6. Brown’s Canyon Pipeline 

7. Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 

8. Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal 

9. Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline and Weber-Provo Canal 

This section describes each of the options, and presents the background and data used by the 

study team in reaching the study recommendations. 

5-1 

Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.3 Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage (Option 1) 

The availability of in-Basin surface water is greatest in the high runoff period and would require 

the development of surface water storage facilities to capture and hold the water for release later 

in the year when demand for the water is greatest. As noted in Chapter 3, the State Engineer 

estimates the “safe yield” of the Basin to be approximately 23,700 acre-feet annually, and the 

currently-developed available supply is about 14,000 acre-feet, leaving a potential storable 

supply of 9,700 acre-feet per year. 

However, most, if not all, of the 9,700 acre-feet per year of potentially storable water in the 

Basin is currently owned and used by downstream water users. Therefore, exchanges or 

purchase of downstream rights would need to occur in order to store this water in the Basin. The 

advantage of capturing the high stream flows from East Canyon Creek or Silver Creek prior to 

leaving the Basin, is that pumping water from within the Basin would be less costly than 

pumping a like amount of water from outside the Basin. 

5.3.1 Summary of Investigation 

An appraisal level survey of potential dam sites was conducted. Several potential sites were 

located as shown on Figure 5-2. None of the sites identified, however, would accommodate a 

dam and reservoir large enough to meet any significant portion of the future needs of the area. 

The investigation was therefore focused on meeting a projected in-stream flow dilution 

requirement in a range of 1,100 to 1,600 acre-feet per year needed to enable the Snyderville 

Basin Water Reclamation District to meet their wastewater discharge requirements to East 

Canyon Creek (See Section 5.5). 

To allow other water development options to occur, a minimum of 1,100 acre-feet of reservoir 

yield would be required to maintain in-stream flows. Based on historic data of stream flows, the 

in-stream flow requirement would not be required each year. The majority of the reservoir yield 

would be needed to meet these in-stream flows during the later summer months of moderate to 

dry years. The following sections describe the sites that were investigated.

5.3.1.1 Hi-Ute Site 

The Hi-Ute site is situated in Threemile Canyon, about one mile above the Hi-Ute ranch house, 

also described as the NW quarter of Section 24, T 1 S, R 3 E, SLBM. The proposed dam would 

be approximately 80 feet high, and impound a lake of approximately 30 surface acres and 1,200 

acre-feet volume. It would have a relatively high cost per acre-foot of storage, and the small 

drainage basin and low stream inflow would make the available water volume questionable. 

A dam at this site would be classified as high hazard due to the ranch and associated structures, 

roads, utilities, and interstate highway located downstream. A number of local businesses are 

located within the probable dam break inundation area. 

The site is used by the local population as a wildlife “viewing” area, and is situated adjacent to 

the 2002 Winter Olympics Sports Park. Impounded water would inundate the only road up 

Threemile Canyon. 

5-3 
Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Additionally, in the summer of 2004, Utah Open Lands, a land trust advocate, obtained a 200 

acre conservation easement on the Hi-Ute ranch. The easement contains jurisdictional wetlands 

and historic structures. Furthermore, the reservoir site contains densely forested alpine slopes. 

Provided the above-mentioned issues could be overcome, in order to consider a reservoir at this 

location, geotechnical testing of the site would be required to determine the feasibility of the 

dam. 

5.3.1.2 Silver Creek Junction Site 

The Silver Creek Junction site is situated on the north (east) fork of Kimball Creek (also called, 

Silver Creek) about 1,000 feet upstream of the confluence, just north of the Interstate 80 Silver 

Creek Junction rest area, also described as the SE quarter of Section 17, T 1 S, R 4 E, SLBM. 

The proposed dam would be approximately 18 feet high and impound a reservoir of 

approximately 90 surface acres and 1,100 acre-feet volume. It would have a reasonable cost per 

acre-foot of storage, but would have a low stream inflow, and has a moderately large but highly 

developed drainage basin down stream. The large surface area and shallow depth would make 

this lake susceptible to high evaporation losses. 

The dam would be classified as high hazard, due to structures, roads, utilities, and an interstate 

highway located downstream. A number of local businesses, a fire station, a highway rest area, 

and residences are located within the probable dam break inundation area. 

The site is situated adjacent to a number of residential developments and a golf course. The 

impounded water would inundate a number of existing roads. The reservoir would sit 

immediately adjacent to Interstate 80 and would be highly visible from the roadway. The 

impounded water may need an auxiliary dike near the freeway to prevent encroachment on the 

road fill. 

Provided the above-mentioned issues could be resolved, in order to consider a reservoir at this 

location, geotechnical testing of the site would be required to determine the feasibility of a dam. 

5.3.1.3 Railroad Site 

The Railroad site is situated on Silver Creek, about 2 miles north of the Keetley Junction 

interchange of State Highway 40, also described as the NW quarter of Section 26, T 1 S, R 4 E, 

SLBM. The proposed dam would be approximately 34 feet high and impound a reservoir of 

approximately 60 surface acres and 1,300 acre-feet volume. It would have a reasonable cost per 

acre-foot of storage, but would have a low stream inflow and a moderately large and moderately 

developed drainage basin down stream. The large surface area and relatively shallow depth 

would make this lake susceptible to high evaporation losses. 

The dam would be classified as high hazard due to structures, roads, utilities, and an interstate 

highway located downstream. A number of local businesses, a sewage treatment plant, an 

interstate highway, and local residences, are located within the probable dam break inundation 

area. 

The site is situated adjacent to a number of proposed residential developments and golf courses. 

The impounded water would inundate a portion of the Union Pacific Rail Trail, an existing road, 

5-4 
Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

an existing wastewater treatment collection pipeline, and upland and/or riparian habitat. The 

upper edge of the reservoir would reach almost to an existing power substation. 

The reservoir would sit immediately adjacent to State Highway 40, and would be highly visible 

from the roadway. It would also sit immediately downstream of the Richardson Flat Mine 

Tailings Site that is known to have contaminated groundwater present. 

Provided the above-mentioned issues could be resolved, in order to consider a reservoir at this 

location, geotechnical testing of the site would be required to determine the feasibility of a dam. 

5.3.2 Potential Impacts 

Siting and construction of a new reservoir would be expected to result in significant impacts 

(both negative and positive) to the environment for fish and wildlife, land use, recreation, 

cultural resources, and other resources. Assuming that Federal involvement would be required in 

construction of new water storage, preparation of an environmental impact statement to fulfill 

NEPA requirements, and concurrent compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and 

Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Clean Water Act, among others, would be expected to take 

several years and have a relatively high cost. 

5.3.3 Recommendations 

As noted above, any development of surface water storage within the Basin would require 

overcoming a number of major obstacles. In addition, any reservoir would be small, with limited 

water supply and relatively high costs for little storage. These obstacles were considered by the 

management team to be sufficiently significant to eliminate surface storage as a viable option for 

water development in the Basin. This option was therefore dropped from further consideration 

in the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.4 Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater 

(Option 2) 

Conjunctive management of the surface and groundwater resources in the Snyderville Basin and 

Park City area may help meet some of the projected future water needs. In its broadest 

definition, conjunctive management is the coordinated and combined use of surface water and 

groundwater to increase the available water supply of a region and improve the reliability of that 

supply. 

Conjunctive management could be implemented to meet other objectives as well. These include: 

reducing groundwater overdraft, protecting water quality, and improving environmental 

conditions. Properly implemented, conjunctive management can change the timing and location 

of water so it can be used more efficiently. It encompasses full utilization of all water sources in 

creative ways that are unique to the location where the water is needed (UDWR, 2004). 

5.4.1 Option Description 

Water suppliers in the study area do not have a coordinated approach to managing surface water 

and groundwater as one resource. For the most part, they have used surface water and 

groundwater independently. Groundwater and surface water sources within the study area are 

closely connected. At some locations or at certain times of the year, water infiltrates the beds of

the area's streams and recharges the groundwater. At other times or places, groundwater surfaces 

in seeps or springs and contributes to the base flow of local streams. Changes in either the 

surface or groundwater systems of the area affect the other. Therefore, effective management 

requires consideration of both resources. 

There are several components common to most conjunctive management projects (all of which 

typically require extensive cooperation between water suppliers): 

• Use more surface water and less ground water when surface water is available during 

wet periods. (Wet periods include annual spring snowmelt runoff and consecutive 

years of above-normal precipitation.) 

• Store unused surface water above ground and underground during wet periods. 

• Take water out of surface and ground water storage during dry periods. (Dry periods 

include annual summer months and consecutive years of below-normal precipitation.) 

• Use more ground water during dry periods when insufficient water is available in 

surface water reservoirs.

5.4.2 Constraints/Limitations 

Although there may be opportunities for conjunctive management in the Park City and 

Snyderville Basin area, the volume of water that would become available through this 

technology is likely limited. In order to determine the exact potential for conjunctive 

management within the study area, further investigation beyond the scope of this document 

would be required. If such an investigation is deemed appropriate by local water providers, it 

should carefully consider the following factors: 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

• The Nature of the Local Groundwater System - The local groundwater system is 

made up of several compartmentalized and fractured bedrock aquifers covered by a 

very thin alluvial fill. Because water moves fairly quickly through the fractured 

bedrock, storing significant volumes of water in any given compartment of the 

aquifer for any significant period of time may be difficult, unless the given 

compartment were to be substantially dewatered. 

• Timing and Volume of Available Water Sources - In order to operate a conjunctive 

management project, sufficient water must be available at the appropriate times. 

Many aquifer recharge projects are designed to utilize excess surface water flows. 

Because downstream storage reservoirs (East Canyon Reservoir, Echo Reservoir and

Willard Bay) capture and store most of the excess flows that leave the study area, 

there is very little unclaimed water available to recharge the aquifers during most 

years. During wet years when excess water may be available, the aquifers would 

likely be full and unable to receive any recharge. 

• Ownership and Management of Surface and Groundwater Rights - In order to 

implement a conjunctive management project that does not have an aquifer storage 

component, it is necessary to have control of a significant portion of the surface and 

groundwater rights within the area of implementation. Without significant control 

over both resources, it is impossible to fully utilize surface water when it is available 

and preserve groundwater storage for use only when surface flows decline. 

Currently, there is no single entity within the study area that appears to have control 

over a large portion of the area's surface and groundwater rights, thus substantial 

cooperation between multiple entities would be required. 

• Capacity to Treat Surface Water - Many conjunctive management projects require 

the ability to treat surface water to the appropriate level for the desired uses. If 

injection wells are to be used to recharge target aquifers, the water injected must be 

treated sufficiently so as to not degrade the groundwater in the receiving aquifer. Full 

utilization of surface water also requires sufficient capacity to treat available surface 

water flows. Currently, there are four surface water treatment plants in the study 

area. One treatment plant is located in Park City, and is designed primarily to treat 

the water surfacing through an abandoned mine. The second plant is located on East 

Canyon Creek and is designed to treat both the creek and East Canyon Reservoir 

water. The third is on Willow Creek. The fourth is the new Signal Hill plant 

designed to treat the shallow well field water and the diverted Weber River water. 

• Adequate Groundwater Monitoring Wells - Monitoring the water levels in wells is 

essential to determine the opportunities for conjunctive management. In order to 

accurately assess conjunctive management opportunities, a network of monitoring 

wells within the area would be needed.

5.4.3 Potential Impacts 

There are no significant environmental impacts expected if conjunctive management is 

implemented. There is potential for improving conditions for fish and wildlife. For example, 

emphasis on groundwater use during low flow summer conditions could help to maintain 

adequate in-stream flows for fish. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.4.4 Recommendations 

Potential exists for greater coordination of groundwater and surface water resources within the 

Basin. This coordinated management could result in greater efficiency and better utilization of 

the Basin’s water resources. However, due to the likely limited amount of water that could be 

developed and the difficulties and uncertainties that exist at this time, the study recommends that 

if this option is developed, it should be on a local, smaller-scale, basis when more information 

becomes available and more confidence in the technology is attained. It has therefore been 

eliminated as a viable option for this study. 

5.5 Water Reuse (Option 3) 

Reusing treated wastewater effluent may be an attractive option for enhancing available water 

supplies in the study area. Reclaimed water can be used for a variety of purposes, including 

irrigation of agricultural crops, irrigation of urban landscapes, and industrial processes. While 

most wastewater treatment processes treat effluent to a quality that is sufficient to meet state 

standards for the irrigation of agricultural crops, additional treatment (tertiary filtration and 

disinfection) is required for urban irrigation and most industrial processes. A comprehensive and 

coordinated plan to utilize reclaimed water for these purposes within the study area could yield 

substantial benefits. Figure 5-5, at the end of this section, shows the location of a potential water 

reuse project within the Basin. 

According to the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District (SBWRD), over 90 percent of 

the M&I water users in the Snyderville Basin are connected to their wastewater collection 

system. While a few septic tanks are still being permitted, most new construction is connecting 

to the wastewater system (Luers, 2004). Table 5-1 shows estimates of current and projected 

discharges from the two water reclamation facilities within the study area. 

As shown in Table 5-1, in 2004, the average daily wastewater flow into the East Canyon Creek 

and Silver Creek water reclamation facilities was 2.97 mgd (2,063 gpm) and 0.91 mgd (632 

gpm), respectively. This equates to a total wastewater discharge volume of approximately 4,300 

acre-feet per year. In order to estimate wastewater volumes for 2030 and 2050, the average from

the last five years for gallons per capita per day of wastewater produced was used in conjunction 

with the population projections from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. This 

projected an increase to approximately 6,500 acre-feet in 2030 and 8,800 acre-feet in 2050 at the 

East Canyon Creek facility, and 3,500 acre-feet in 2030 and 4,700 acre-feet in 2050 at the Silver 

Creek facility. (These future projections of wastewater volume assume that additional M&I 

water will be imported into the Snyderville Basin.) 

 

While the discharge from the East Canyon Creek facility is treated to a sufficient level to 

accommodate most proposed uses, including urban irrigation, Type I, discharge from the Silver 

Creek facility could only be used for agricultural irrigation without additional treatment. Even 

though SBWRD is able to shift flows between the two facilities for operational purposes, it is 

assumed that the Silver Creek facility would need to be upgraded to meet Type 1 reuse 

standards. This cost is included in the Appendix. Thus, the total volume of 13,500 acre-feet per 

year from both plants in 2050 was considered in determining the amount available for reuse in 

the future. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

TABLE 5-1 

Current and Projected Discharges from

Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District Facilities

Current Discharge‡

2004 

Projected

Discharge†

(Acre-Ft/Year) 

Wastewater Treatment 

Plant 

Treatment 

Process 

Capacity*

(mgd) (mgd) 

(Acre-Ft/ 

Year) 2030 2050 

East Canyon Creek Advanced Tertiary 4.00 2.97 3,300 6,500 8,800

Silver Creek Oxidation Ditch 2.00 0.91 1,000 3,500 4,700

Total 6.00 3.88 4,300 10,000 13,500

Estimated Total Available (35 percent of Total) -- 1.35 1,500 3,500 4,700

Probable Volume of Reuse -- -- -- 2,000 3,600

* Design capacities obtained from Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District, Sept. 2004. ‡

 Current discharges are 12-month averages obtained from Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District, April 2005. † Projected discharges are based on population projections from the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. 

 These discharges also assume additional water will be imported into the Snyderville Basin.

5.5.1 Current Possibilities for Reuse 

SBWRD has indicated there could be two scenarios in which reuse water would be developed. 

The first scenario would be for SBWRD to develop a reuse project in order to comply with 

regulatory requirements. The second scenario would involve a water provider approaching them

with the intent of acquiring reuse water to meet the water provider’s needs. In this case, the 

water provider would likely decide if the development of reuse water is more economical than 

developing an alternative source (Luers, 2005). 

The possibility for reuse to help meet some of the Basin’s future water needs is strengthened by 

the fact that SBWRD is already planning to reuse some of the effluent for the irrigation of golf 

courses. During the summer of 2005, SBWRD installed a section of pipe to deliver this water in 

conjunction with other infrastructure to avoid additional installation costs in the future. Three 

golf courses may be supplied reclaimed water for irrigation purposes, including Jeremy Ranch 

Golf Course (a course near the East Canyon facility that would require little infrastructure for 

delivery), Glenwild Golf Course, and a proposed golf course to be built by The Canyons Ski 

Resort. Other proposed uses in the SBWRD’s Phase I proposal include delivery to the Swaner 

Nature Preserve or for highway beautification. These uses would utilize over 1,000 acre-feet per 

year of reclaimed water. As shown in Figure 5-3, the current discharge volume from the East 

Canyon facility could easily meet this demand. This volume represents about 24 percent of the 

total effluent treated in the study area. 

SBWRD is also considering a Phase II implementation of reuse. This would include delivery of 

about 600 acre-feet per year to Park Meadows Golf Course and Park City Municipal Golf 

Course. Together with Phase I, this would provide approximately 1,600 acre-feet per year of 

reclaimed water. SBWRD would likely not be able to implement this phase until either the 

Silver Creek facility is upgraded to meet Type I standards or until the population grows and the 

East Canyon facility is able to provide a greater volume of reclaimed water. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Reuse 

FIGURE 5-3

2004 Supply vs. Initial Reuse Demand

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Acre-Feet/Month

Total Irrigation Demand

Combined Discharge

Silver Creek Discharge

East Canyon Discharge

5.5.2 Constraints/Limitations 

The amount of effluent discharged from these water reclamation facilities that would ultimately 

be available for reuse could be limited by a number of factors. One of these factors is the nature 

of the underlying water rights that produced the effluent. According to the State Engineer, a 

water right that was originally approved for municipal uses can be depleted 100 percent. In other 

words, the effluent from a municipal water right can be reused and completely consumed. On 

the other hand, a municipal water right that was originally approved for agricultural irrigation 

cannot be depleted 100 percent. Because there is typically some return flow associated with an 

agricultural water right, the State Engineer has determined that a portion of such a right, even if 

it has been converted to municipal uses, must be returned to the hydrologic system in order to 

avoid negative impacts on other water users. In the Park City area, only about 50 percent of the 

agricultural water right that has been converted to municipal uses can be depleted. This is 

calculated by dividing the local consumptive use of alfalfa (1.54 acre-feet/acre per year) by the 

water right duty (3.0 acre-feet/acre per year). In other words, only about 50 percent of the 

original agriculture water right can be diverted and depleted for M&I use. According to a 

preliminary water rights depletion evaluation conducted for Summit Water Distribution 

Company, Mountain Regional Water Special Service District and Park City, the total depletions 

allowed are over 6,700 acre-feet per year. This number would likely need to be further refined 

and would ultimately need to be reviewed by the State Engineer, but the initial analysis would 

suggest that the water rights depletion limits would not be the constraint for reuse in the 

Snyderville Basin. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

The nature of the underlying water rights can also impact the locations where reclaimed water 

can be used. Water rights have a defined place of use where the water can be applied. 

According to the State Engineer, both the original use and the reuse of water must occur within 

the water right’s place of use boundary. For example, SBWRD cannot reuse the effluent 

generated by Park City’s water rights outside Park City’s municipal boundaries. One way to 

overcome this limitation is to file change applications with the State Engineer’s office to modify 

the reused water rights so that their place-of-use boundaries include the locations where the 

reclaimed water would be used. 

Two other factors that may limit the amount of effluent that can be used are the nature of the 

proposed uses and the physical location of the uses in relation to the water reclamation facilities. 

While some industrial processes may have a water demand that is relatively constant year-round, 

most reuse applications (which are for outdoor irrigation) only have a seasonal demand. In the 

study area, the demand for irrigation exists in less than six months of the year, part of April 

through September. Therefore, seasonal uses are limited by the peak demand during July and 

would not be able to utilize the entire effluent, unless of course the off-season effluent could be 

stored for use during the peak times. The location of the use may also limit the amount of reuse 

due to the economics involved with pipelines and pumping stations. 

Another factor that may limit the total volume of reclaimed water available for reuse includes 

potential downstream impacts to the environment. Environmental considerations that could 

limit the use of effluent include impacts to wildlife and other ecosystem values in the 

downstream environment if proper stream flows are not maintained. Due to drought and other 

conditions, East Canyon Creek has completely dried up during brief periods. In the future, 

SBWRD would likely discharge effluent to help maintain necessary stream flows before it would 

divert effluent for reuse applications providing that water quality regulations could be met. The 

need for additional water in the stream is greatest in August and September. Without an 

alternative delivery schedule with on-site storage, the peak irrigation demands that could be met 

would be significantly reduced due to the corresponding peak demands for the stream and for 

irrigation. 

Lastly, it should also be noted that a 2005 Utah Legislative Task Force, studying water issues, 

drafted a wastewater reuse bill that could impact the use of reclaimed water within Utah. Both 

the final language of the bill and whether or not it becomes law won’t be known until after 

Utah’s 2006 Legislative Session. In addition to the proposed bill, there are also two active court 

cases involving water rights and reuse that may set important legal precedents on wastewater 

reuse. 

Future Potential 

5.5.3 Future Potential 

After a preliminary analysis taking all the limiting factors into account as discussed above, 

UDWR roughly estimates that no more than 35 percent of the discharges shown in Table 5-1 will 

be able to be reused (3,500 acre-feet in 2030 and 4,700 acre-feet in 2050). The seasonal demand 

appears to be the limiting factor based on the peak of the irrigation demand curve. Thus, the 35 

percent could potentially be higher if the primary use of effluent were to be an industrial process 

with a year-round demand or if the non-irrigation season effluent could be stored to help meet 

the peak demands. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

For particular years of low instream flows, an alternative delivery schedule may be necessary in 

conjunction with on-site storage to allow SBWRD to discharge effluent to help meet instream

flow requirements. Based on 2003, the worst year on record, a total of 588 acre-feet would have 

been needed during July (41 acre-feet), August (318 acre-feet) and September (229 acre-feet). 

An alternative delivery schedule with on-site storage that supplied the extra water throughout the 

earlier months would reduce the volume needed during the low stream flow months. This would 

help to protect important environmental needs, while still allowing the maximum amount of 

reclaimed water to be available for reuse. 

Probable Future Volume of Reuse 

5.5.4 Probable Future Volume of Reuse 

Although roughly 4,700 acre-feet per year of reclaimed water could be utilized by 2050, the 

probable volume of reuse that will be implemented is likely slightly lower. UDWR has 

identified large landscapes throughout the study area that could potentially be irrigated by 

reclaimed water including ten existing or proposed golf courses, the Swaner Nature Preserve, a 

proposed city sports park and other miscellaneous public landscape irrigation such as highway 

beautification. Using these large landscapes as the determining factor, the total probable volume 

of reclaimed water that could be implemented by 2050 is approximately 3,600 acre-feet per year. 

As shown in Figure 5-4, this volume could nearly be supplied by 2030 without any storage, and 

could easily be supplied by 2050. One factor that may be important to note is that in 2050 this 

volume could be supplied during the worst dry-year on record for the area, as discussed earlier, 

and still provide the necessary water to meet instream flow requirements except for 

approximately 70 acre-feet in August. Thus, with very little storage or interruption in the supply, 

these demands could be met with significant reliability while still protecting the stream’s needs. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

FIGURE 5-4

Probable Future Reuse Volume (2050)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

AcreFeet/Mont

h

Probable Volume of Reuse

(existing and proposed 

large landscapes)

2050 Total Discharge

2030 Total Discharge

5.5.5 Possible Reuse Delivery Pipeline 

Two possible reuse pipelines have been analyzed for delivery of reclaimed water to the various 

locations discussed in the previous text (see Figure 5-5). One pipeline would extend from the 

East Canyon facility southeast along I-80 to Kimball Junction. In this area it would cross I-80 

and extend south to the area near St. Mary’s Church. It would then continue southeast along 

State Route 224. This main delivery line would have spurs to supply reclaimed water to 

Glenwild Golf Course, a future Canyons Golf Course, Park Meadows Golf Course and Park City 

Municipal Golf Course. It could also supply reclaimed water for irrigation of various public 

landscapes such as parks and cemeteries in the Park City Area. It ranges in size from 8-12 

inches, and would be able to supply around 2,000 acre-feet per year. Much of the preliminary 

design of a section of this pipe has already been completed by SBWRD. 

The second pipeline would extend south from the Silver Creek facility to the Quinn’s 

Junction area. A large segment would branch off shortly after leaving the treatment facility 

running east up to multiple golf courses at Promontory Development. This pipeline ranges in 

size from eight to sixteen inches and is designed to initially deliver around 1,600 acre-feet per 

year. As part of the design of this pipeline, a pipeline system to connect the two lines has also 

been analyzed to allow continued flexibility in treatment by one facility or the other. This would 

allow either pipeline to deliver reclaimed water to a point on either side of the area in the case of 

interruption in the opposite pipeline. The designed redundancy in capacity could also be utilized 

in the future as additional landscapes are developed that could be supplied with reclaimed water 

along the pipeline, which could potentially eliminate the need for later expansion of the pipeline 

capacity. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

The system from the East Canyon facility was estimated to cost $6,600,000 and to have a present 

value life cycle cost of $10,500,000. The system from the Silver Creek facility was estimated to 

cost $10,700,000 and to have a present value life cycle cost of $19,600,000. A combined system

with the ability to shift capacity between the two sides was estimated to cost $19,100,000 and to 

have a present value life cycle cost of $32,200,000. More detailed cost estimates are available in 

the Appendix. 

5.5.6 Potential Impacts 

A July 8, 2005, field survey by Reclamation staff looked at several locations where pipelines 

might be sited to develop water reuse potential. This review noted the potential for impacts to 

cultural resources, wildlife habitat, spotted frog habitat, and wetlands. Such impacts could 

possibly be mitigated or avoided by project design. 

5.5.7 Recommendations 

The study concludes that water reuse is a viable option and should be further considered in the 

evaluation and ranking process of the study. Volumes of reuse water are estimated at 2,000 acrefeet per year for 2030 and 3,600 acre-feet per year by 2050. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.6 Provo River - JSSD (Option 4) 

This option considers importation into the Snyderville Basin from the Provo River drainage. 

Importation could be made using JSSD’s existing facilities or construction of new facilities. 

5.6.1 Hydrology

Three sources of water from the Provo River drainage were considered: water developed by 

JSSD, non-natural (imported) flows of the Provo River, and natural flows of the Provo River. 

After evaluating the three sources, as explained below, the only viable additional supply from the 

Provo River drainage is an additional 500 acre-feet per year from JSSD. 

Jordanelle Special Service District - As stated in Section 4.4.2 of this report, Park City 

currently receives 1,000 acre-feet per year of water from JSSD under a 20 year lease agreement 

that expires in 2022. This water comes from the Ontario Drain Tunnel. The facilities for this 

delivery have already been constructed and are in operation. They consist of a filtration water 

treatment plant located at the mouth of the Ontario Drain Tunnel on the northwest side of 

Jordanelle Reservoir and approximately 15,400 linear feet of 12-inch treated water transmission 

pipeline. Even though the existing 1,000 acre-feet per year delivery contract expires in 2022, 

both Park City and JSSD expect deliveries will continue in perpetuity. Park City currently pays 

$811 per acre-foot annually for this water supply, with an escalation factor of 4 percent per year. 

Additionally, they are anticipating increasing the deliveries by 500 acre-feet per year, for a total 

importation of 1,500 acre-feet per year. 

Non-Natural Provo River Flows - Flows not naturally tributary to the Provo River were also 

considered as potential import sources to the Snyderville Basin. These consist, primarily, of 

mine tunnel flows in the Park City area. Park City currently uses the entire flows of the Judge 

and Spiro Tunnels. Based on water-year 2004, JSSD currently utilizes about 55 percent (5,433 

acre-feet per year) of the flows of the Ontario Drain Tunnel No. 2. About 28 percent (2,694 

acre-feet per year) is used by the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy, and the 

remaining 17 percent (1,635 acre-feet per year) by the Midway Irrigation Company for a total 

yield of 9,762 acre-feet per year. JSSD also has approximately 523 acre-feet per year of surface 

water, 1,451 acre-feet per year of groundwater, 1,500 acre-feet per year of CUP M&I water, and 

2,500 acre-feet per year of CUP irrigation water. Since these rights are all above Jordanelle Dam

and the use of the non-JSSD water in the tunnel is downstream from the dam, JSSD plans to 

exchange these rights into the tunnel, thus essentially utilizing the entire remaining yield (4,329 

acre-feet per year) of the tunnel. 

Natural Provo River Flows - The only natural flow water within the Provo River drainage that 

is not fully utilized occurs only in extreme wet years when storage reservoirs are full and other 

means for recovering and exporting the surplus flows are already fully utilized. Also, any 

exportation out of the Basin would create considerable political and institutional problems, due 

to the impacts created on a fully utilized water supply system and the in-stream flow needs of 

sport fishery and the endangered June Sucker. 

5.6.2 Option Description 

The JSSD system can currently provide the 500 acre-feet per year to the East Park Tanks located 

along US-40. To provide water delivery to Park City, a new 12-inch diameter pipeline, 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

approximately 18,000-feet in length, would need to be built along the existing state and county 

road right-of-ways as shown on Figure 5-6. The pipeline would connect to existing Park City 

waterlines at the Quinn’s Junction Sports Complex. This pipeline was estimated to cost 

$2,700,000. The life cycle cost for this option, including all charges from JSSD, was estimated 

to be $18,600,000. More detailed cost estimates are available in the Appendix. 

5.6.3 Potential Impacts 

Any impacts associated with construction of existing facilities have already occurred. No 

significant impacts would be expected based on current information, but any future use of water 

from the Provo River drainage would need to consider the effects to operation of the Provo River 

Project and in particular, any potential consequences for the endangered June sucker and the 

state sensitive species Columbia spotted frog. Also, any effects to the Wasatch County Water 

Efficiency Project, particularly the environmental commitments for that project as related 

primarily to return flows, would need to be reviewed. 

5.6.4 Recommendations 

The study concludes that Option 4 in the amount of 500 acre-feet per year is a viable option and 

should be further considered in the evaluation and ranking process of the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.7 East Canyon Pipeline (Option 5) 

This option considers importation into the Snyderville Basin from water stored in East Canyon 

Reservoir. The principal facilities include a new pipeline from East Canyon Reservoir to the 

north Jeremy Ranch boundary and from the south Jeremy Ranch boundary to the existing 

Summit Water Distribution Company Water Treatment Plant, as shown on Figure 5-7. 

5.7.1 Option Description 

This option has been studied for importation capacities of 5,000, 8,750, and 12,500 acre-feet per 

year. Design of the original East Canyon Pipeline Option was completed in September 1999 for 

SWDC (Michael L. Aldrich & Associates, 1999). The project consists of conveying water from

East Canyon Reservoir south to a new water treatment facility located near Interstate 80 near 

Jeremy Ranch. Initially, SWDC received approvals for a 24-inch diameter pipeline to convey 

raw water from East Canyon Reservoir to the new treatment plant. After review of the projected 

demands within the Basin, the decision was made to increase the pipe diameter to 30-inches in 

order to accommodate future demands. By July 2002, approximately 7,000 linear feet of 30-inch 

pipeline along Rasmussen and Jeremy Roads had been installed. A water treatment facility with 

a capacity of 5.5 mgd (3,820 gpm), expandable to 22 mgd (15,500 gpm), has also been 

constructed. The original project was designed for an ultimate build-out capacity of 15,000 

acre-feet, and a presumed peaking factor of 1.67. 

A number of additional facilities would be required to deliver the volumes chosen for 

investigation in this study. A raw water intake and pump station and a raw water booster pump 

station would be required to pump water from East Canyon Reservoir to the water treatment 

plant. Approximately 63,000 linear feet of 30-inch pipeline would be required to convey the 

water between the two locations. A 3.5 mgd (2,430 gpm) expansion of the existing water 

treatment facility would be needed to meet the daily flow of 6,200 gpm, and a 16.5 mgd (11,500 

gpm) expansion for a maximum daily flow of 22 mgd (15,500 gpm). Upgrades to two pump

stations within the SWDC system, Trailside and IHC, and an additional 5,680 feet of 16-inch 

pipeline would be required to deliver finished water to Park City. Also, a 12-inch diameter, 

16,500 foot pipeline and additional pump capacity would be required, if it was desired to deliver 

treated water to the Promontory Development. This pipeline would not be necessary if the Lost 

Creek Canyon Pipeline (Option 7) were also to be constructed. SWDC currently has 6.0 million 

gallons (MG) of finished water storage within their system; therefore, additional finished water 

storage was not considered necessary for this option. 

With the existing water distribution infrastructure within the SWDC system, Park City could 

connect to this additional water supply at two different locations: Section 27 storage tank and 

near the White Barn just off State Road 224, halfway between Park City and the Canyons Ski 

Resort. The delivery pressure at the Section 27 storage tank may require the addition of a 

booster pump station within Park City’s system, and the pressure at the White Barn would 

require a pressure reducing valve (only the White Barn connection was estimated). SWDC has 

interconnections with Community Water, Gorgoza, High Valley, and MRWSSD through which 

water could be distributed Basin-wide 

Of the three capacities considered, the cost for the 5,000 acre-feet capacity is the highest cost per 

acre foot of capacity. This is due to the high capital costs associated with the relatively long 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

pipeline. As the capacity increases, the cost per unit of capacity drops. The estimated costs are 

shown in Table 5-2. The first phase of this project that would allow initial delivery of water 

could be constructed for an estimated contract cost of $37,900,000. The components of phase 

one are listed in the Appendix. More detailed cost estimates are available in the Appendix. 

TABLE 5-2 

East Canyon Pipeline Cost Summary

Capacity Capital Cost

(New Facilities)

Capital Cost*

(Existing & New) Life Cycle Cost*

5,000 $35,200,000 $50,800,000 $124,700,000

8,750 $53,700,000 $69,300,000 $153,600,000

12,500 $67,300,000 $82,900,000 $181,200,000

* Method 3 costs (see Table 6-3). 

 

There would need to be agreements developed between SWDC and Park City and/or MRWSSD 

to identify reservation of system capacity, buy-in costs of use of present facilities, as well as 

“wheeling fees” and rates and fees. 

5.7.2 Hydrology

The water rights listed in Table 5-3 represent East Canyon Reservoir Storage rights that are 

available for importation through the East Canyon Pipeline. These storage rights fall into two 

main categories which includes: leased water from D&WCCC and water shares in D&WCCC 

stock. SWDC has indicated that they have sufficient additional water rights not listed in Table 5-

3 to cover the current diversions from their water system. Therefore, Reclamation assumes that 

the water rights in Table 5-3 can be moved to the East Canyon Pipeline without reducing SWDC 

ability to divert water from their existing water system. 

The first category of water rights SWDC has to store water in East Canyon Reservoir is based on 

an October 13, 1999, water lease contract between SWCD and D&WCCC. This lease annually 

provides up to 5,000 acre-feet of East Canyon Reservoir water. This water “will be comprised of 

rental pool water, water covered by treasury shares, water retired from historical irrigation or by 

reduction in the amount of stored water in East Canyon being available to all share holders or 

D&WCCC and other water as the Board of D&WCCC may decide.” The contract states that if 

D&WCCC cannot provide the excess water, SWDC will dedicate shares of D&WCCC stock to 

cover the water diverted on a basis of 7 acre-feet per share. In the memorandum decision 

allowing this leased water to be used in Snyderville Basin, the State Engineer required 714.3 

shares of D&WCCC stock be dedicated to this project and 1,250 acres of irrigated land be 

retired. Although it is uncertain how D&WCCC will dedicate shares to the lease water, 

D&WCCC has indicated that in the event of water shortages they would decrease the yield of 

their shares to cover this lease. 

Reclamation recognizes that a hydrology analysis completed in the mid-1990’s shows a 

minimum holdover volume in East Canyon Reservoir of over 7,000 acre-feet for each year of the 

prior 23 year period. However, in the future as the demand for water increases and the existing 

D&WCCC shares are being more fully utilized, this excess holdover water will likely decrease. 

Therefore Reclamation estimates that the volume of water available to the East Canyon Pipeline 

from water lease, to be between 2,500 and 5,000 acre-feet per year. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

The second category of water right available for importation in the East Canyon Pipeline is based 

on shares of D&WCCC stock. In the past, SWDC has filed a variety of change applications to 

move these shares into their water system. Change Application Nos. a12859, a13561, a13565, 

and a13566, list the East Canyon Reservoir as a hereafter point of diversion and could likely be 

used in the East Canyon Pipeline. However, Change Application Nos. a13561, a13565, and 

a13566 are awaiting final approval and should they be rejected, a new change application would 

have to be filed to move affected D&WCCC shares to the East Canyon Pipeline. Change 

Application Nos. a18524 and a16374 will have to be withdrawn and a new change application 

filed. Change Application No. a16384, appears to be based on the same shares as other change 

applications in Table 5-3 and will likely be withdrawn. Reclamation notes that the State 

Engineer has typically quantified change applications based on D&WCCC stock at 7.0 acre-feet 

per share and D&WCCC has recently determined their stock yields 6.0 acre-feet per share. 

Future change applications based on D&WCCC stock could yield anywhere between 6.0 and 7.0 

acre-feet per share. 

In addition to the D&WCCC shares owned by SWDC, representatives from the Corporation of 

the Presiding Bishop of the LDS Church and Property Reserve Incorporated have indicated that 

they own shares of D&WCCC stock that could be dedicated to the East Canyon Pipeline project. 

Both these corporations are share holders in SWDC and are interested in the successful 

development of this project. These corporations have told Reclamation that, if necessary, they 

could move at least 400 shares of D&WCCC stock to the East Canyon Pipeline. Reclamation 

assumes that a change application will need to be filed on these shares. 

Reclamation estimates that the volume of water available for the East Canyon Pipeline from

D&WCCC shares, to be between 6,882 and 8,029 acre-feet per year. The lower range assumes 

shares of D&WCCC stock would yield 6.0 acre-feet each. The upper range assumes that shares 

of D&WCCC stock would yield 7.0 acre-feet each. 

Looking at the two categories of water rights, the aggregate estimate of the volume of water 

available to the East Canyon Pipeline is roughly between 9,400 and 13,000 acre-feet per year. 

The lower range is the sum of the lower water volume estimates for each category of water and 

the upper range is the sum of the upper water volume estimates. 

A reservoir operation model study, which is beyond the scope of this study, would more 

accurately determine the reliable yield from these rights, and identify any need for additional 

acquisitions to reach a firm 12,500 acre-feet supply. Reclamation recommends this reservoir 

operation model study be done as part of a feasibility study of this Option prior to final design 

and construction. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

TABLE 5-3 

Summary of Water Rights available for Importation 

Summit Water Distribution Company

Water Right No. Underlying Storage Right No. of D&WCCC 

Shares 

Quantity

(Acre-Feet) 

a21859 (35-10539) Water Lease Agreement 1999 5,000.00 

a12859 (35-5360)1 D&WCCC Certificates #13927, 

13940, 13949 112.0 784.0

a18524 (35-7452)2 

(35-5470) D&WCCC Certificate # 13568 311.0 2,177.0 

a16374 (35-5742)2 D&WCCC Certificate # 13395 11.0 77.0

a13561 (35-9031)3 

a13565 (35-9032)3 

a13566 (35-9033)3

D&WCCC Certificates # 13569, 

13959, 12777, 12063 313.0 2,191.0 

a16384 (35-5741)4 D&WCCC Certificate #13569 0 0 

LDS Church5 D&WCCC Shares 400 2,800 

Total 1,147 13,029.0

1

 The December 21, 1984 Memorandum Decision approving Change Application No. a12859 allows a 

diversion rate of 1,400 acre-feet/year (which is greater than 7.0 acre-feet/share). If a future change 

application was filed on these shares the diversion rate could be significantly reduced. This study 

assumes these 112.0 shares will eventually be quantified between 6.0 and 7.0 acre-feet/share. 

2

 This change application would have to be withdrawn and a new change application filed on the 

underlying storage shares. It is assumed that the new change application would be quantified between 

6.0 and 7.0 acre-feet/share. 

 3 The March 19, 1993 Memorandum Decision approving Change Application Nos. a13561, a13565, and 

a13566 allows a diversion rate of 2,190 acre-feet/year. In January 1996, the State Engineer issued a 

special order reopening the application for review. In March 1996, a second amended special order was 

issued stating that the stay on the prior approvals would remain in affect until a final agency decision 

could be made. No final decision has ever been issued. 

4

 The underlying storage shares for the unapproved Change Application No. a16374 appear to have 

already been used in Change Application Nos. a13561, a13565, and a13566. 5 The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop LDS Church and Property Reserve Incorporated have indicated 

that, if needed, they could dedicate at least 400 shares to the East Canyon Pipeline Project. It is 

assumed that these shares would be quantified between 6.0 and 7.0 acre-feet/share. 

5.7.3 Potential Impacts 

An environmental analysis sponsored by Summit Water Distribution Company and the Davis 

and Weber Counties Canal Company was completed in 1999, to facilitate permitting of the 

project. Permits identified in that document for the East Canyon Pipeline option include the 

following: Nationwide Permit Nos. 12 and 26, from the COE in accordance with Section 404 of 

the CWA; Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service 

(FWS); consultation and determination of “no historic properties affected” by the Utah SHPO; 

water rights approvals and a stream alteration permit from the Utah State Engineer; a general 

storm water discharge permit (Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System – UPDES) and 

Section 401 water quality certification from the Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ); plan 

approval from the Division of Drinking Water; approval to construct within the state road rightof-way (ROW) from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT); coordination with the 

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWLR) for the Bonneville cutthroat trout; permits from

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Summit County (essentially these have been obtained); and, permits from Morgan County, 

including a Conditional Use Permit and an excavation permit, and others as needed. In addition, 

rights-of-way and easements across private lands would need to be obtained. SWDC obtained a 

professional appraisal for right-of-way and easements in 1998, and Reclamation has reviewed 

and updated the estimate. Recently a 7,200 acre Ranch (Clayton Macfarlane Company) sold a 

conservation easement that covers a portion of the county road along East Canyon Creek in 

Summit and Morgan counties. Right of Way across this conservation easement would also have 

to be negotiated. The State Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (owner of the easement) 

has indicated this could probably be accomplished, but would likely take additional time for 

negotiation and legal work. If these facilities were to become part of a Federally-sponsored 

project, additional permits would be required, including NEPA compliance and use agreements 

with SWDC to use existing infrastructure. 

A June 22, 2005, field review by Reclamation staff noted a potential for impacts to fish and 

wildlife and potential for impacts to spotted frog habitat. Such impacts could be mitigated or 

avoided by project design including the location of the pipeline corridor. The potential for 

effects to cultural resources, principally historic trails, can be avoided by installing the pipeline 

in the existing roadway. 

5.7.4 Recommendations 

The study concludes that the East Canyon Pipeline Option is a viable option and should be 

further considered in the evaluation and ranking process of the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.8 Brown’s Canyon Pipeline (Option 6) 

The Brown’s Canyon Pipeline Option, would import water from Rockport Reservoir to the 

Snyderville Basin through a pipeline to be constructed through Browns Canyon. The Rockport 

Water Supply Infrastructure Project Phase I Pipeline Alignment Evaluation was completed in 

April, 2003 (MWH and BC&A, 2003). A subsequent technical memorandum, dated June 17, 

2003, recommended the Brown’s Canyon Option as the preferred alignment from the evaluation 

(MWH, 2003). This preferred alignment was used in the analysis for importing water into 

Snyderville Basin. 

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District along with Park City and Summit County which 

includes Mountain Regional Water Special Service District (then known as Atkinson Special 

Service District), entered into a certain Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement (MOU), 

dated November 18, 1996, which set forth a framework for the development of a water project to 

deliver water, made available from WBWCD’s sources, for distribution within the service areas 

of Park City and MRWSSD. Several studies have been commissioned to examine and 

recommend feasible pipeline corridors along with water treatment plant and reservoir sites in 

order to transport and treat water coming from Rockport Reservoir to the Snyderville Basin. 

 

Within the last few years WBWCD, Park City, and MRWSSD, have determined not to pursue 

the project described in the MOU. The Parties have decided instead to participate in the 

Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study, currently being conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation 

to develop a plan for providing additional water to the Snyderville Basin. 

5.8.1 Option Description 

Two different versions of the Brown’s Canyon Pipeline were investigated. Version A considered 

an intake below Wanship Dam. Version B located the intake just upstream of the Rockport 

Reservoir. 

Version A would require modification to the intake structure below Wanship Dam in addition to 

a new raw water pump station and approximately 50,000 linear feet of 30-inch raw water 

pipeline to convey water to a new 9.0 mgd (6,200 gpm) / 22.0 mgd (15,500 gpm) water treatment 

facility. Three million gallons in raw water storage would be required at the water treatment 

plant. The finished water would be pumped through approximately 18,000 linear feet of 30-inch 

pipeline via a new pump station and terminate at a 4.5 MG storage reservoir located at the point 

of distribution in Round Valley. This option does not have a specific site designated for the 

location of the new water treatment facility. Property acquisition would be required to locate the 

water treatment facility and raw water storage. 

Under Version B, water would be conveyed from near the upstream end of Rockport Reservoir 

through approximately 29,000 linear feet of 30-inch raw water pipeline to a 9.0 mgd (6,200 gpm)

/ 22.0 mgd (15,500 gpm) water treatment facility. Approximately 18,000 linear feet of 30-inch 

pipeline would be used to convey the finished water to a 4.5 MG terminal reservoir located at the 

point of distribution in Round Valley. A new raw water intake, similar to the diversion dam and 

Coanda screen discussed in Option 7, and a raw water pump station would both be required to 

pump the water from the reservoir to the water treatment plant. A finished water pump station 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

would pump the treated water from the water treatment plant to the 4.5 MG terminal reservoir. 

Three million gallons in raw water storage would be required at the water treatment plant 

location. The general location of the treatment plant would be the same as proposed in Version 

A. Therefore, property acquisition would be required to locate the water treatment facility and 

raw water storage reservoir. 

5.8.2 Hydrology

The 5,000 acre-feet per year of water to be imported by this Option consists of existing 

unsubscribed WBWCD water that has not yet been put to beneficial use. One-half of this supply 

(2,500 acre-feet per year) would come from Weber Basin Project supplies (a Bureau of 

Reclamation project) and the other half from Smith Morehouse Reservoir supplies (a WBWCD 

project). This water is available in the Weber River drainage. See Section 5.9.2 for a more 

detailed description of this water, and the need for a reservoir operation study. 

5.8.3 Potential Impacts 

An environmental evaluation of the Brown’s Canyon Option was completed on December 12, 

2002, by MWH. The segment of pipeline from Wanship Dam to Rockport State Park, if 

contained within the Highway 32 right-of-way, and the segment parallel to the Weber River, if 

placed in the existing power line corridor, would not create any significant impacts to the 

environment. The segment along Brown’s Canyon Road could have some environmental 

impacts at three locations, two of which are crossings of unnamed drainages and the third where 

the road passes above a small reservoir. Where the pipeline leaves Brown’s Canyon Road, it 

would cross the Mountain Meadows area, which contains ephemeral drainages. This area would 

require wetland surveying. Also, since the water treatment plant does not have a specific site, a 

wetland survey and environmental analysis would be required once the final site location has 

been selected. 

Implementation of this option would require permits and approvals from Summit County, UDOT 

for construction within the ROW, UDDW for plan and process approvals, UDWQ for storm

water discharge permitting and water quality certification, and the Utah State Engineer for water 

rights and stream alternation, if necessary. In addition, an assessment of cultural resources 

would need to be conducted for the SHPO. Coordination with UDWLR and the US Fish and 

Wildlife Service would be required to ensure that ESA compliance occurs and fish and wildlife 

issues are addressed for the river diversion. Permitting by the COE would be required should 

any jurisdictional wetlands be impacted by the construction. Finally, Reclamation involvement 

in the project would require NEPA and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) 

compliance. Approval from West Wanship Irrigation Company would be required for the intake 

modification. 

5.8.4 Recommendations 

This option is eliminated from further consideration, primarily because Mountain Regional 

Water Special Service District has already constructed the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline, which 

currently is delivering 1,600 acre-feet per year, with the anticipation that it also be used to 

deliver the additional 5,000 acre-feet of WBWCD water. It was decided by the study team that 

constructing another pipeline to deliver water that could be delivered through the existing Lost 

Creek Canyon Pipeline could not be either environmentally or economically justified. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.9 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (Option 7) 

The Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option considers importation of water into the Snyderville 

Basin from the Weber River at the inlet to Rockport Reservoir. This option would utilize the 

existing Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline discussed in Chapter 4, adding a pump station and pipelines 

to deliver up to an additional 5,000 acre-feet per year from the Weber River, as well as additional 

new facilities required to convey water to the point of distribution to Park City and other water 

providers in the Basin. A detailed discussion of this concept follows. See Figure 5-8. 

5.9.1 Option Description 

This Option consists of intake and booster stations on the Weber River at the inlet to Rockport 

Reservoir, the existing pipeline through Lost Creek Canyon to the existing MRWSSD Signal Hill 

Water Treatment Plant site, an expanded or new water treatment plant, a 16-inch diameter, 

13,000 feet pipeline and facilities necessary to convey water to Park City, and a 12-inch 

diameter, 16,500 feet pipeline to deliver water to other providers in the Basin. This option was 

analyzed for capacity increases to the existing 1,600 acre-feet per year of 2,500 acre-feet per year 

and 5,000 acre-feet per year. 

Reclamation performed a study for a pump station that would pump water from the base of 

Wanship Dam or from the Weber River above Rockport Reservoir to the existing booster pump 

station that is part of the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option discussed in Chapter 4 

(Reclamation, 2004). WBWCD proposes to sell 2,500 acre-feet of water per year to both Park 

City and MRWSSD for a total of 5,000 acre-feet. In order to receive the full benefits of this sale, 

a pump station would need to be constructed either at the base of Wanship Dam or above 

Rockport Reservoir. The pump station would be designed for a maximum capacity of 9.0 mgd 

(6,200 gpm). Four intake options were evaluated in the Reclamation study. Due to costs, 

environmental impacts, and operation and maintenance considerations, Reclamation’s Option 3 – 

River Large Option, was chosen as the best intake option to be incorporated into this analysis. 

This Option consists of a diversion dam with a Coanda screen inlet that would be constructed on 

the Weber River approximately 1,000 feet upstream of the reservoir inlet. Approximately 

830 linear feet of 24-inch pipeline would divert water into the existing Lost Creek Canyon 

booster pump station on the south end of the reservoir. The maximum pumping head to convey 

the raw water from the river to the existing pump station is approximately 35 feet. 

After the raw water is conveyed from the Weber River to the raw water booster pump station, the 

water would be pumped through the existing 24-inch Lost Creek Canyon raw water pipeline to 

the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant, as discussed in Chapter 4. To provide the desired 

capacity of 9.0 mgd (6,200 gpm, 5,000 acre-feet annually), an upgrade to the existing booster 

pump station, the addition of 3 MG in raw water storage, a 3 mgd (2,080 gpm) expansion to the 

build-out capacity of 6 mgd of the existing water treatment plant, and a new 1.5 mgd (1,040 

gpm) water treatment plant are incorporated into the alternative. 

To provide water delivery to the points of distribution, a new 16-inch diameter, 13,000 feet 

pipeline would be required for delivery to Park City, and a 12-inch diameter, 16,500 feet pipeline 

for delivery to MRWSSD’s existing 20-inch distribution main located in the Silver Creek 

Industrial Park. MRWSSD has interconnections with several water systems within the Basin 

through which water could be distributed basin wide. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

The estimated costs per acre-foot for Option 7 increase as the capacity increases due to the 

relatively low capital cost, and operation and pumping costs being a higher proportion of total 

costs. The estimated costs for the various capacities are shown in Table 5-4. The first phase of 

this project that would allow initial delivery of water could be constructed for an estimated 

contract cost of $4,300,000. The components of phase one are listed in the Appendix. More 

detailed cost estimates are available in the Appendix. 

 

TABLE 5-4 

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Cost Summary

Capacity Capital Cost

(New Facilities)

Capital Cost

(Existing & New) Life Cycle Cost

2,500 $10,200,000 $20,100,000 $47,100,000

5,000 $25,500,000 $37,800,000 $84,400,000

 

5.9.2 Hydrology

The 5,000 acre-feet per year of water to be imported by this Option consists of existing 

unsubscribed WBWCD water that has not yet been put to beneficial use. One-half of this supply 

(2,500 acre-feet per year) would come from Weber Basin Project supplies (a Bureau of 

Reclamation project) and the other half from Smith Morehouse Reservoir supplies (a WBWCD 

project). This water is available in the Weber River drainage. 

The Weber Basin Project supply would come from certificated Water Right No. 35-

828(A27609). This right was approved for diversions of up to 60,000 acre-feet per year at 

Wanship Dam to be used for municipal purposes within the WBWCD service area. Of this total,

2,500 acre feet per year has been reserved and dedicated to this Option. This water would be 

available nearly every year because municipal water users are guaranteed a full supply of project 

water even when agricultural water users experience water shortages. In order to use this water 

for the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option, a change application would need to be filed and 

approved by the State Engineer to add a new point of diversion at the proposed intake structure 

upstream from Rockport Reservoir. 

The Smith Morehouse Reservoir storage rights include certificated Water Right Nos. 35-8733 

(1,040 acre-feet), 35-832 (5,000 acre-feet), 35-5407 (1,860 acre-feet), and 35-5529 (450 acre 

feet) for a total storage right of 8,350 acre feet. WBWCD has title to all these water rights 

except Water Right No. 35-8733, which is owned by Smith Morehouse Reservoir Company. 

Therefore, WBWCD has a right to 7,310 acre-feet of storage water in the Smith Morehouse 

Reservoir. WBWCD has indicated that only about 300 acre-feet of this storage has been 

subscribed and that 2,500 acre-feet of the remaining unsubscribed water has been reserved for 

use in the Snyderville Basin. A change application would need to be filed and approved by the 

State Engineer to add a new point of diversion on the Weber River above Rockport Reservoir for 

this Smith Morehouse water. 

A reservoir operation study, which is beyond the scope of this study, would more accurately 

determine the reliable yield from the two sources mentioned above. However, Reclamation 

believes that the proposed 5,000 acre-feet per year water supply is available for importation to 

the Snyderville Basin. Reclamation recommends, however, that a reservoir operation model 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

study be completed prior to final design and construction, just as is recommended for Option 5 

(see Section 5.7). See Table 5-5. 

TABLE 5-5 

Summary of Water Rights available for Importation 

Into the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 

Water Right No. Underlying Storage Right Total Water Right 

(Acre-Feet) 

Quantity

Dedicated to

Project 

(Acre-Feet) 

35-828 (A27609) Rockport Reservoir 60,000 2,500 

35-832 (A27614) Smith Morehouse Reservoir 5,000 

35-5407 (A35794a) Smith Morehouse Reservoir 1,860 2,500 

35-5529 (A35794b) Smith Morehouse Reservoir 450 

Total 5,000

5.9.3 Potential Impacts 

Each pumping option presented in the Wanship Pump Station and Pipeline Preliminary Design 

Project was reviewed for its environmental impact and the potential need for compliance with 

NEPA, the CWA, the ESA, the FWCA, NHPA, and other laws and regulations. If construction 

of the diversion structure and installation of the pipelines proposed in this alternative have 

Federal involvement, NEPA compliance would be required. In addition, construction activities 

that pose impacts to jurisdictional rivers and associated wetlands, such as the proposed diversion 

dam and Coanda screen, would require a Section 404, “Dredge and Fill Permit” from the COE, 

in accordance with the CWA. A diversion dam on the Weber River could adversely affect 

aquatic resources unless measures are taken to ensure fish passage and adequate water releases. 

Design of the diversion structure to include a fish passage could reduce or eliminate potential 

effects to fish and meet the requirements of the FWCA. The preliminary analysis of this option 

conducted by Reclamation for the ESA, concluded that Federally endangered or threatened 

species would not likely be affected by the proposed diversion. It was also concluded that no 

further need of cultural resource fieldwork would be required to meet the requirements of the 

SHPO for “No Effect to Historic Properties”. It should be noted that the finished water facilities 

may require SHPO consultation as that was not conducted as part of the Reclamation study. 

In addition to the permitting requirements on a Federal level, state and Summit County permits 

and approvals would be required for this alternative, UDOT for construction within the ROW,

UDDW for plan and process approvals, UDWQ for storm water discharge permitting and water 

quality certification, and the Utah State Engineer for water rights and stream alternation, if 

necessary. 

5.9.4 Recommendations 

The study concludes that the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option is a viable option and should be 

further considered in the evaluation and ranking process of the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.10 Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal (Option 8) 

This option involves diverting 5,000 acre-feet per year of water from the Weber River through 

the Weber-Provo Canal to the Provo River, then through Jordanelle Reservoir, and JSSD 

facilities to Snyderville Basin. 

5.10.1 Option Description 

Under this concept, the imported water would be diverted through the Weber-Provo Canal on a 

space available basis, as determined by the Provo River Water User’s Association (PRWUA) and 

the Bureau of Reclamation. The water would be withdrawn from Jordanelle Reservoir through 

JSSD facilities on an acre-foot per acre-foot basis as it enters the reservoir, ensuring that no 

storage takes place. Adequate real-time measurement would be required at the Weber-Provo 

Canal and at the JSSD intake structure to ensure accurate accounting of the imported water 

through the system. Flow measurement data and all equipment and facilities associated with this 

option would be made assessable to PRWUA, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and 

Reclamation for monitoring and inspection. New 16-inch pipelines would need to be constructed 

to deliver the 5,000 acre-feet per year to Park City and MRWSSD. A total of 28,000-feet of 

16-inch pipeline would be required. Booster pumping of the delivered water would also be 

required. See Figure 5-9 for the approximate pipeline alignments. 

The capital cost for the pipelines is estimated to be $7,200,000. The estimated life cycle cost 

including JSSD charges is $105,200,000. More detailed cost estimates are available in the 

Appendix. 

5.10.2 Hydrology

The 5,000 acre-feet per year of water to be imported by this Option consists of existing 

unsubscribed WBWCD water that has not yet been put to beneficial use. One-half of this supply 

(2,500 acre-feet per year) would come from Weber Basin Project supplies (a Bureau of 

Reclamation project), and the other half from Smith Morehouse Reservoir supplies (a WBWCD 

project). This water is available in the Weber River drainage. See Section 5.9.2 for a more 

detailed description of this water, and the need for a reservoir operation study. 

5.10.3 Potential Impacts 

Since the facilities proposed in this option have not been studied in detail, permitting

requirements and environmental impacts associated with it have not been defined. It is 

anticipated that the permitting and impacts associated with this alternative would be similar to, 

but more complex than, those identified in Option 7. Specifically, state and county permits and 

approvals would be required from Summit and Wasatch Counties, UDOT for construction within 

the ROW, UDDW for plan approval, and UDWQ for storm water discharge permitting and water 

quality certification, and the Utah State Engineer for water rights and stream alternation, if 

necessary. An assessment of cultural resources would need to be conducted for the SHPO. 

Coordination with UDWLR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would be required to ensure 

that the ESA and fish and wildlife needs are satisfied. Permitting by the COE would be required 

should any jurisdictional wetlands be impacted by the alternative. Approval from the Provo 

River Water Users Association and Reclamation would be required to use the Weber-Provo 

Canal, as well as approval from Central Utah Water Conservancy District and Reclamation to 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

utilize Jordanelle Reservoir. Finally, Federal involvement in the option and the reservoir intake 

would require NEPA compliance. 

As with Option 4 above, any future use of water from the Provo River drainage would need to 

consider the effects to operation of the Provo River Project and in particular, any potential 

consequences for the endangered June sucker and the state sensitive species Columbia spotted 

frog. Also, any effects to the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project, particularly the 

environmental commitments for that project as related primarily to return flows, would need to 

be reviewed. 

5.10.4 Recommendations 

The study concludes that Option 8 is a viable option and should be further considered in the 

evaluation and ranking process of the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.11 Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal (Option 9) 

This Option is a combination of Options 7 and 8, wherein 2,500 acre-feet per year of the 

WBWCD water supply would be delivered through the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline to the 

Promontory Development and 2,500 acre-feet per year would be delivered through the WeberProvo Canal/Jordanelle Reservoir/JSSD to Park City (see Figure 5-10). 

5.11.1 Option Description 

Of the total 5,000 acre-feet per year developed by this Option, 2,500 acre-feet per year would be 

delivered to Park City. To make this delivery, a new 16-inch pipeline, 18,000 feet in length, 

would need to be constructed between the East Park Tank and Park City’s existing water system. 

The pipeline would be constructed along the state and county right-of-ways. 

Of the remaining 2,500 acre-feet per year, 1,200 acre-feet per year would be delivered to the 

Promontory Development and the remaining 1,300 acre-feet per year retained by MRWSSD for 

future growth. To provide the water delivery to Promontory Development, a new 12-inch 

pipeline would be required for connection to MRWSSD’s existing 20-inch distribution main 

located in the Silver Creek Industrial Park. The water intake costs for the diversion and intake 

on the Weber River covered in Option 7 are also included in Option 9. 

The capital costs for Option 9 are estimated to be $4,200,000 for the pipeline between JSSD and 

Park City, and $10,200,000 to improve the Lost Creek Canyon facilities (see Option 7 and 9 

Capital Costs table in the Appendix). This is a total new capital cost of $14,400,000. The 

estimated life cycle cost including JSSD charges is $98,600,000 ($53,400,000 for the JSSD to 

Park City pipeline and $45,200,000 for the Lost Creek Canyon pipeline improvement). More 

detailed cost estimates are available in the Appendix. 

5.11.2 Hydrology

The 5,000 acre-feet per year of water to be imported by this Option consists of existing 

unsubscribed WBWCD water that has not yet been put to beneficial use. One-half of this supply 

(2,500 acre-feet per year) would come from Weber Basin Project supplies (a Bureau of 

Reclamation project) and the other half from Smith Morehouse Reservoir supplies (a WBWCD 

project). This water is available in the Weber River drainage. See Section 5.9.2 for a more 

detailed description of this water, and the need for a reservoir operation study. 

5.11.3 Potential Impacts 

The potential effects for Options 7 and 8, as described above in Sections 5.9.3 and 5.10.3, would 

apply to this alternative.

5.11.4 Recommendations 

The study concludes that Option 9 is a viable option and should be further considered in the 

evaluation and ranking process of the study. 

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Park City - Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

5.12 Future Development Options Summary 

The six Options considered viable for development are shown in Table 5-6. These six include: 

Option 3 - Water Reuse, Option 4 - Provo River - JSSD (Importation), Option 5 - East 

Canyon Pipeline (Importation), Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (Weber River 

Importation), Option 8 - Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal (Importation), and Option 9 - 

Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal (Importation). 

Table 5-6 

Summary of Needs and Development Options 

Units: Acre-Feet per Year

Existing and Projected Needs 2001 2030 2050

Population 23,900 64,300 86,300

Calculated M&I Demand 9,800 25,300 32,000

 Water conservation 0 (2,300) (5,000)

Adjusted M&I Demand 9,800 23,000 27,000

 Minimum in-stream flow and wastewater dilution req. 0 1,100 1,600

 Mine tunnel concerns – mine collapse, water quality 0 2,000 2,000

Projected M&I Demand 9,800 26,100 30,600

Estimated Current Production Capacity 14,000 14,000 14,000

 Lost Creek Canyon Project na 1,600 1,600

 Jordanelle Special Service District imports na 1,000 1,000

 Increased groundwater development na 200 300

 Future agricultural conversions (Status report: 450-900) na 400 500

 Surplus/Redundancy (4,200) (6,500) (7,500)

Projected Reliable Supply 9,800 10,700 9,900

Projected M&I Needs (Future Development) 0 15,400 20,700

Development Options 

1 – Additional In-Basin Surface Water Storage 0 0 0

2 – Conjunctive Management of Surface & Groundwater 0 0 0

3 – Water Reuse 0 2,000 3,600

4 – Provo River – JSSD 0 500 500

5 – East Canyon Pipeline 0 *12,500 *12,500

6 – Brown’s Canyon Pipeline 

7 – Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 0 **5,000 **5,000

8 – Weber River via Weber-Provo Canal 0 **5,000 **5,000

9 – Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal 0 **5,000 **5,000

* Additional approvals and potential acquisitions may be needed to yield the full 12,500 acre-feet supply.

** These options are dependent upon the same 5,000 acre-feet water supply – hence only one of the three can be 

developed. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Chapter 6 – Evaluation and Preferred Plan 

As noted in previous sections of this report, nine options were identified as potential 

development projects to help meet future water needs in Park City and Snyderville Basin. Each 

of the nine was studied in detail to determine viability. Results of this analysis are presented in 

Chapter 5. 

Of the nine Options originally identified, six were considered viable for further evaluation and 

ranking. The Options eliminated include: Additional Surface Water Storage (Option 1), 

Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater (Option 2), and Weber River Importation 

via Brown’s Canyon (Option 6). 

The Options considered viable for further evaluation include: Option 3 - Water Reuse, Option 4 

- Provo River - JSSD (Importation), Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline (Importation), Option 7 - 

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (Weber River Importation), Option 8 - Weber River via WeberProvo Canal (Importation), and Option 9 - Lost Creek Canyon and Weber-Provo Canal 

(Importation). This chapter identifies evaluation criteria and procedures used in evaluating and 

rating the remaining six options. It also explains the rationale used in formulating the preferred 

plan. 

6.1 Evaluation Criteria 

Option evaluation criteria were used by Reclamation to evaluate the six viable options identified 

in Chapter 5. The evaluation criteria were developed by Reclamation with input from 

stakeholders and the public. These criteria include economic, environmental, social, 

institutional, and system reliability. 

6.2 Option Evaluation 

Available data associated with the evaluation criteria was gathered by Reclamation and other 

contributors to the study. This data was organized and used in evaluating the options. The study 

team divided the evaluation into two separate parts: Economic Factors Evaluation, and NonEconomic Factors Evaluation. 

 

6.2.1 Economic Factors Evaluation 

Economic factors are based on capital costs and present-value life cycle costs (some of which 

have already been discussed in Chapter 5). The capital costs are the estimated costs to construct 

the facilities. The purpose of evaluating the capital costs is to determine the magnitude of 

funding required to construct a given Option. 

Life cycle costs represent the total discounted present value of capital costs (deferred 

construction costs discounted to present value), operation, maintenance and replacement costs 

(OM&R), and the cost of water. The cost per acre-foot delivered is calculated by dividing the 

life cycle cost by the projected total quantity of water delivered over the 50-year life of the 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

project. Results of the economic factors evaluation are shown in Table 6-1. A more detailed 

description of costs is included in the Appendix. 

Table 6-1 shows two costs for Option 5 – East Canyon Pipeline. The first cost is based upon a 

capacity and water supply of 8,750 acre feet per year, and the second cost is based upon a 

capacity and water supply of 12,500 acre-feet per year. The purpose for showing both versions 

of Option 5 is to identify a cost range for the option. If the full 12,500 acre-feet water supply is 

developed, as discussed in Section 5.7.2, costs would be as shown for the 12,500 acre-feet 

option. 

TABLE 6-1 

Economic Factors Evaluation Summary

Economic Factors Option 

3 

Option 

4 

Option 

51

Option 

71

Option 

8 

Option 

9 

Capital Costs (new) 2

(Units 1,000) $19,100 $2,700 $53,700 - $67,300 $25,500 $7,200 $14,400 

Capital Costs (total) 

(Units: 1,000) $19,850 $2,700 $69,300 - $82,900 $37,800 $7,200 $24,300 

Capital Costs per 

acre-foot capacity3 $5,510 $5,400 $7,920 - $6,630 $7,560 $1,440 $2,880 

Present Annual O&M 

Costs per acre-foot 

at full Capacity4

n/a n/a $470 - $447 $455 n/a n/a 

Life Cycle Costs per 

acre-foot delivered $179 $744 $418 - $376 $369 $460 $426 

1 Option 5 costs are shown as a range, consistent with a capacity between 8,750 acre-feet per year and 12,500 

acre feet per year, as explained in Sections 5.7.2 and 6.3.2. Also, costs for Options 5 and 7 are based on cost 

estimate Method 3 (see Table 6-3). 2

 Capital costs of new facilities only 

3 Based on capital costs (total) rather than capital costs (new). 4

 Includes O&M, treatment and cost of water. 

6.2.2 Non-Economic Factors Evaluation 

The non-economic factors category includes the environmental, social, institutional, and system

reliability factors. The study team applied these non-economic criteria to each of the options. 

The following basic assumptions were made to make the comparisons between options more 

logical and directly comparable: 

1. Each option was evaluated on a per acre-foot basis generally, rather than for the 

 total water supply. 

2. In the future all the existing reservoir water rights will be fully used to meet 

the growing water demands. Consequently, the reservoirs will experience the 

same draw down whether the water is imported into the Snyderville Basin or 

used down stream. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

3. All import water, regardless of which option, would be delivered to the same specific 

area (such as a specific subdivision), and would consequently result in the same

impacts (per acre-foot supplied) on return flows, instream flows, and water quality. 

(They would have essentially the same return flow volume and quality since the 

wastewater would be treated to the same level, and meet applicable water quality 

standards.) 

Potential impacts (both positive and negative) were identified during the initial evaluation, 

however none were considered sufficiently significant to prevent or limit development of any of 

the six Options. A discussion of some of the more significant non-economic factors which have 

the greatest potential for differing impacts among the options is presented below. 

6.2.2.1 Environmental – Environmental factors considered include: environmental compliance, 

cultural resources, visual resources, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, water 

quality, and instream flows. Environmental compliance and water quality were identified as the 

two environmental factors with the most potential for differing impacts among the options. The 

study team found no significant differences among the six Options for the other environmental 

factors. Consequently, they are not discussed in the following paragraphs. 

Environmental Compliance. Any of the six options would require National Environmental 

Protection Act (NEPA) compliance prior to construction, assuming that all would involve some

type of Federal action. NEPA requires analysis and documentation of potential impacts to the 

human environment, and also requires consideration of alternatives to a proposed action. Public 

notification of the proposed action, and the opportunity for public involvement in the decision 

making process are required to varying degrees, depending on the type of documentation 

required. If an action is minor or routine in nature, and defined as such within an agency’s 

NEPA regulations, it may be categorically excluded from NEPA analysis and documentation. If 

not categorically excluded, then an action must be analyzed in an Environmental Assessment or 

an Environmental Impact Statement. Based on available information, it is anticipated that any of

the viable options which are selected as preferred options would require at least the preparation 

of an Environmental Assessment to determine whether there would be significant impacts to the 

human environment. If no significant impacts to the human environment are found, a Finding of 

No Significant Impact could be issued at the conclusion of the Environmental Assessment 

preparation and review process (which includes opportunity for public comment on the draft 

Environmental Assessment). If significant impacts were found, the preparation of an 

Environmental Impact Statement would be required. Compliance with NEPA would normally 

take about one year for the completion of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 

Significant Impact, and two to four years for the completion of an Environmental Impact 

Statement and Record of Decision. 

Compliance with other environmental and cultural resource laws, including the Clean Water Act 

(CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and others, would also be needed and would occur 

concurrent with the NEPA process. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Based upon existing information presented in Chapter 5, including preliminary analyses by 

Reclamation staff, there does not appear to be significant environmental or cultural resource 

obstacles that would prevent implementation of any of the six options. There would, however, 

be differences in the complexity of the analysis and documentation, and therefore the time 

required to complete them, depending on the level of impact, and controversy associated with 

development. 

Without a more detailed analysis, which would be performed during a formal NEPA process 

prior to construction, Reclamation anticipates that environmental compliance to meet NEPA, 

CWA, ESA, and NHPA, would be more difficult for the East Canyon Pipeline Option than for 

the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option. This conclusion acknowledges the level of 

environmental analysis completed to date for both projects. This determination is premised on 

the facts that the majority of Option 7 alignment has already been disturbed (construction of the 

existing pipeline), there appears to be greater local opposition to Option 5 than Option 7 creating 

greater controversy, permitting appears to be more challenging for Option 5 than for Option 7, 

and the size difference of the projects (longer and larger pipeline transporting more water, 

therefore perceived greater impacts) would require longer time to identify and analyze potential 

impacts. 

Water Quality. Water quality is an issue in East Canyon Reservoir, Echo Reservoir, East 

Canyon Creek, and Silver Creek. The State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality has 

determined that each of the four streams and reservoirs need a Total Maximum Daily Load 

(TMDL) Analysis. TMDL Projects and Reports have been completed for East Canyon 

Reservoir, East Canyon Creek, and Silver Creek. A TMDL Analysis is under way for Echo 

Reservoir. The parameters of concern for East Canyon Reservoir, East Canyon Creek, and Echo 

Reservoir, are total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. The parameters of concern for Silver 

Creek are Cadmium and Zinc. The completed reports can be found on the State of Utah’s Web 

site. 

Since it was identified as a potential problem in the late 1990’s, significant progress has been 

made in the Park City/Synderville area to reduce phosphorus loading into East Canyon Creek 

and East Canyon Reservoir. Since the geologic formations in the area are rich in phosphorus 

(Phosphoria Formation), erosion control with future development is a major issue. It is generally 

understood that further phosphorus reductions will have to be implemented in the East Canyon 

Creek watershed, and possibly Silver Creek watershed, to improve water quality in East Canyon 

Reservoir and Echo Reservoir, and to offset any new phosphorus loading from future 

development. 

There do not appear to be significant water quality differences within the Snyderville Basin for 

any of the six options. This conclusion is based on the assumptions that, (1) the water, whether 

from East Canyon Reservoir or Rockport Reservoir area, would be delivered to the same location 

(subdivision, city, etc.) which would result in the return flows being the same (per acre foot 

delivered) to East Canyon Creek or Silver Creek, regardless of where the water comes from, and 

(2) that the water, regardless of where it comes from, would be treated to the same standard. The 

treatment costs for the culinary water supply, as well as for the treated wastewater effluent, 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

would be approximately the same for either the East Canyon Reservoir water supply or the 

Rockport Reservoir area supply. 

Therefore, based on these assumptions, all import options would have similar water quality 

impacts on East Canyon Creek, East Canyon Reservoir, Silver Creek, and Echo Reservoir. For 

purposes of this study, all options are rated equal with regard to water quality. 

6.2.2.2 Social – Social factors considered include private land, conservation easements, public 

acceptability, recreation, environmental justice, and Indian trust assets. Potentially significant 

social impact differences among the options include impacts on private lands and impacts within 

established conservation easements. The study team found no significant differences among the 

six Options for the other social factors, and has not discussed them in this section. 

Private Land. As discussed in Chapter 5, Option 5 would require more land use permits and 

right-of-way easements across private lands, than would any of the other options. Option 7 

would have the least impact, followed by Options 4, 8, 9 and 5. This ranking is based primarily 

on the length of private land right-of-way needed and the difficulty with which it can be 

acquired. East Canyon Resort has expressed strong opposition to Option 5’s proposed alignment 

across their property. 

Conservation Easements. Recently a 7,200 acre Ranch (Clayton Macfarlane Company) sold a 

conservation easement that covers a portion of the county road along East Canyon Creek in 

Summit and Morgan counties. Right-of-way along this road for the East Canyon Pipeline 

(Option 5), which is within the conservation easement, would have to be negotiated. The State 

Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (owner of the easement) has indicated this could 

probably be accomplished, but would likely take additional time for negotiation and legal work. 

6.2.2.3 Institutional – Institutional factors considered include funding capability, ability to meet 

time constraints, water rights and agreements, hydrologic efficiency, compatibility with growth 

needs in other areas, and development risk. Potentially significant institutional impact 

differences among the options include: funding capability, ability to meet time constraints, and 

water rights and agreements. The study team found no significant differences among the six 

Options for the other institutional factors, and has not discussed them in this section. 

Funding Capability – Several factors influence capability and timing of funding - size of the 

project, government vs. private, Federal vs. local Government, etc. Since the method of funding 

has not yet been determined, all are considered equal with regard to the ability to get the funds in 

a timely manner. However, looking at size alone when considering the ability to add the next 

increment of water, it is easier to fund and implement a smaller less expensive project than a 

larger one. Therefore the options are ranked in order of their total capital cost. 

Ability to Meet Time Constraints – Permitting and meeting time constraints would be a 

challenge for any of the options. All options must get appropriate local, state, and Federal 

approvals and permits. Options 8 and 9 would also require agreements with Reclamation and 

water entities in the Provo River Drainage to allow transport of water into the Provo River 

drainage and through Federal water facilities (Provo Reservoir Canal and Jordanelle Reservoir). 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Summit County permits for constructing Option 5 have been obtained, but others with Morgan 

County or other agencies have not been obtained or have expired. Option 7 would also require 

additional permits. It is anticipated that obtaining the needed permits to construct Options 8 or 9 

would be the most difficult, with Option 5 being next most difficult due primarily to the size of 

the project and controversy involved, followed by Option 7. 

Water Rights and Agreements - Water rights for Option 3 still need to be approved by the 

State Engineer’s Office, although approval would seem likely. Option 4 would require an 

agreement with the Jordanelle Special Service District, which should not be a major obstacle. 

Options 7, 8 and 9 all depend on the same 5,000 acre-feet per year water supply provided by 

WBWCD at Rockport Reservoir. A change in point of diversion for this right would need to be 

filed and approved by the State Engineer, although approval would seem likely. This water 

supply consists of existing unsubscribed WBWCD water that has not yet been put to beneficial 

use. An agreement was executed on November 18, 1996, (and re-negotiated in May 2004) 

between WBWCD, Park City, and MRWSSD, making this water available from WBWCD's 

sources for distribution within the service areas of Park City and MRWSSD. 

The water supply for Option 5 has several potential concerns, as identified in Chapter 5, Section 

5.7.2. These issues include obtaining necessary water right approvals by the State Engineer and 

executing the necessary water supply contracts with D&WCCC. It is presumed that these issues 

would be resolved before proceeding with development of the East Canyon Pipeline Option. 

The study team concludes that securing the necessary water rights and agreements to proceed 

with Option 5 could be more difficult and time consuming than for any of the other options. 

Summary - Based on the information presented in the preceding paragraphs of this section, 

Reclamation concludes that Option 7 has a greater likelihood of meeting the critical time

constraints imposed by the rapid growth of the area than any of the other options, followed by 

Option 5, then Options 8 and 9. 

6.2.2.4 System Reliability - System reliability is rated based on facility integrity and system

redundancy. All six projects are rated equal on facility integrity and reliability, as all are 

anticipated to be designed and constructed to the same standard. System redundancy would be 

enhanced by constructing multiple sources of water to meet needs, as opposed to only one source 

or pipeline. 

6.3 Selection of Preferred Plan 

The six options that were determined viable in Chapter 5, and therefore included in the 

evaluation process, are shown in Table 6-2. This section explains the process and rationale used 

in selecting the preferred plan from among these six Options. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

TABLE 6-2 

Development Options Summary

Units: Acre-Feet per Year Capacity

Development Options 2001 2030 2050

In-Basin Development 

 3 – Water Reuse 0 2,000 3,600

Importation 

 4 – Provo River – JSSD 0 500 500

 5 – East Canyon Pipeline 0 12,5001 12,5001 

 7 – Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 0 5,0002 5,0002 

 8 – Weber River via Weber Provo Canal 0 5,0002 5,0002 

 9 – Lost Creek Canyon and Weber Provo Canal 0 5,0002 5,0002 

Total Potential Development 0 20,000 21,600

1

 Additional water right approvals and potential acquisitions may be needed to yield the full supply. 2 These options are dependent upon the same 5,000 acre-feet water supply – hence only one of the 

three can be developed. 

6.3.1 Preferred Options 

Of the six viable Options, only Options 5 and 7 are selected to be included in the preferred plan 

(refer to relative costs in Table 6-1, and the non-economic factors). Both are needed to meet the 

projected water needs of Park City and Snyderville Basin. Option 3 is not included because it is 

an in-Basin Option that, due to its economic attractiveness, would likely be developed by local 

entities. The associated Option 3 development potential of 2,000 acre-feet per year in 2030 and 

3,600 acre-feet per year in 2050 is assumed to be developed, and therefore subtracted from the 

projected Basin demand that would otherwise need to be developed, similar to subtracting the 

estimated quantities of groundwater and agricultural conversion water as explained in Chapter 5. 

Options 8 and 9 are eliminated because Option 7 is the highest ranking of the three and therefore 

becomes the preferred method for importing WBWCD water from the Rockport Reservoir area 

to the Snyderville Basin. Option 4 is eliminated because of high cost relative to the other 

options. 

As the options have now been narrowed to two, a more detailed comparison of the two was 

conducted in order to rank the options and make recommendations with regard to construction 

priority. This comparative evaluation considered factors in both evaluation categories – 

economic and non-economic. 

6.3.2 Economic Comparisons 

Four different cost estimates shown in Table 6-3, were prepared for Option 5, the East Canyon 

Pipeline Option, and for Option 7, the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option. Costs are for 

comparative purposes only and include similar unit-costs and assumptions. Cost estimate 

“Method 1” includes all costs necessary to complete each independent Option. This method 

ignores “sunk” costs for facilities already constructed. Method 2 includes costs for all facilities 

(new and existing) as if none have been constructed. Method 3 includes costs for all facilities by 

adding actual sunk costs for existing facilities to Method 1’s estimated costs for new facilities. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Method 4 is the same as Method 1’s estimated costs for new facilities, which includes 10 percent 

for unlisted items, but does not include 20 percent for contingencies or 12 percent for 

engineering, design, and construction oversight. It represents a “contract” cost only. Table 6-3 

shows the estimated costs of each Option for the four methods. A more detailed presentation of 

the cost estimates is included in the Appendix. 

Table 6-3 shows costs for Option 5 – East Canyon Pipeline (8,750 acre-feet per year capacity 

and water supply), Option 5 – East Canyon Pipeline (12,500 acre-feet per year capacity and 

water supply), and Option 7 – Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (5,000 acre-feet per year additional 

capacity and water supply). As explained above for Table 6-1, the purpose for showing both 

versions of Option 5 is to identify a cost range for two stages for the option. 

TABLE 6-3 

Option Cost Estimate Summary by Method

Options 

Method 11 

New

Facilities 

Only

Method 22 

All 

Facilities 

(USBR)

Method 33 

All Facilities 

(Includes 

Sunk Costs) 

Method 44 

(New

Facilities 

Contract

Cost Only) 

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline

(8,750 AF capacity and water supply)

 Capital Costs 

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $53,700 $76,000 $69,300 $39,900 

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $6,140 $8,690 $7,920 $4,560

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline

(12,500 AF capacity and water supply) 

 Capital Costs

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $67,300 $89,600 $82,900 $51,400

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $5,380 $7,170 $6,630 $4,110 

Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline

(5,000 AF capacity and water supply) 

 Capital Costs 

Capital Cost (Units: 1,000) $25,500 $40,300 $37,800 $19,000 

Capital Cost per AF Capacity $5,100 $8,060 $7,560 $3,800

1 Method 1 – Costs for new facilities only. Cost of existing facilities excluded (no sunk costs). Costs include 10% for 

unlisted contract items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 2 Method 2 – Cost of all facilities (new and existing) as if none have been constructed. Costs include 10% for unlisted 

items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 3 Method 3 – Cost of all facilities (new and existing). Existing facility sunk costs are added to cost of new facilities. 

Costs include 10% for unlisted items, 20% for contingencies, and 12% for engineering, design, and construction 

oversight. 4 Method 4 – Method 1 (new facilities only) - contract of “field” costs only – which includes 10% for unlisted items but 

does not include 20% for contingencies, or 12% for engineering, design, and construction oversight. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

As shown in Table 6-3, the capital cost for Option 7 is much lower than the capital cost for 

Option 5. Also, Option 7 capital cost per acre-foot capacity for Methods 1 and 4 is less than 

costs for Option 5. However, Option 7 capital cost per acre-foot capacity for Methods 2 and 3 is 

inside the range of costs for Option 5. Cost per acre-foot differences between the two options are 

considered to be within the margin of error of the analysis, and therefore, do not indicate a 

conclusive preference of one over the other. 

 6.3.3 Non-Economic Comparisons 

As mentioned in Section 6.2.2, no potential impact has been identified that would prevent or 

limit development of either Option 5 or Option 7. However, some could have significant impact 

on the timing of development. 

Park City and other areas within the Snyderville Basin have an immediate need for additional 

water supplies, making timing of permanent water deliveries critically important. The available 

supplies are already behind the projected demand curve (Figures 4.1 and 6.1). Based on the 

information presented in Chapter 5 and the analysis presented in Section 6.2.2, the non-economic 

factors comparison ranks Option 7 ahead of Option 5, primarily due to the potential impacts of 

timing. 

6.3.4 Preferred Plan 

As stated above, the preferred plan includes both the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option (Option 

7) and the East Canyon Pipeline Option (Option 5), as both are needed to meet future water 

needs in the Park City and Snyderville Basin area. Furthermore, the study team sees benefits of 

having two future water sources in the basin, as opposed to only one. With both projects 

operational, fewer interconnects are needed, and greater overall system reliability can be 

maintained during emergency situations (more than one source and one pipeline). The preferred 

plan, therefore, calls for development of both Options. The Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline (Option 

7) is ranked higher in priority than the East Canyon Pipeline (Option 5) and should be 

implemented first for the following reasons: 

• A primary reason for the congressional legislation was to find a permanent solution to 

Park City’s immediate and critical need for 2,500 acre feet of water per year. Option 

7 is the least costly, would require only 21⁄2 miles of additional pipeline, and would 

require the shortest time to implement for Park City’s need. 

• Option 7 is a smaller project and has a lower new facility project capital cost, i.e. 

$25,500,000 instead of $67,300,000, which makes obtaining funding easier and 

faster. 

• Option 7 can be implemented in less time and with less risk. 

• Option 7 has fewer easements, water rights, and land use permit issues to resolve. 

• Option 7 has water delivery agreements in place.

• A majority of the infrastructure for Option 7 is already constructed. 

• Environmental compliance is expected to take less time because Option 7 is a smaller 

project with fewer expected adverse impacts. 

• Option 7 has a lower capital contract cost per acre-foot capacity, although both 

projects are relatively close and are considered within the margin of error of the cost 

estimates. 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

The East Canyon Pipeline Option, however, is also needed and should move forward 

immediately and as expeditiously as possible to meet the future, rapidly growing, water needs in 

other areas of the Snyderville Basin. 

Table 6-4 shows the priority ranking and the quantities of water recommended for development 

under each option. 

TABLE 6-4 

Preferred Plan 

Development Option Priority and Needs 

Units: Acre-Feet per Year

2030 2050

Priority Development Option 

1 Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 5,000 5,000

2 Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline 8,400 12,100

Total Developed 13,400 17,100

6.4 Summary and Recommendations 

Both the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline and the East Canyon Pipeline Options are needed to meet 

the Basin’s long-term needs through the year 2050. There are no major environmental or other 

significant adverse impacts for either option which would preclude their eventual development. 

Reclamation recognizes that Park City and the other areas within the Snyderville Basin have an 

immediate need for permanent water supplies, making timing of water deliveries critically 

important. The available supplies are already behind the projected demand curve (Figures 4.1 

and 6.1). Park City, MRWSSC and WBWCD have an agreement in place for delivering 5,000 

acre-feet per year, of which 2,500 acre-feet per year is required by Park City. MRWSSD 

currently has excess capacity in the existing Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline, which could, with 

relatively low cost, be used to deliver a portion of this contracted water to Park City prior to the 

construction of Option 7. This study concludes that the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option can 

provide a permanent supply of imported water to Park City more quickly, at a lower capital cost, 

and with less risk, than can the East Canyon Pipeline Option. Reclamation, therefore, 

recommends that the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option be implemented first to meet the 

immediate Park City need, and a portion of the future needs of the Snyderville Basin area. 

Reclamation recommends that final design and construction of the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 

Option begin immediately. 

Reclamation acknowledges the continuing rapid growth within the Snyderville Basin and the 

need for additional water supplies beyond that provided by the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline 

Option. The East Canyon Pipeline Option should be constructed while the water rights are 

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Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

available and committed for use in the Snyderville Basin. Since the East Canyon Pipeline 

Option is determined to be a viable project and is critically needed to meet future demands, 

Reclamation recommends that efforts begin immediately to move the East Canyon Pipeline 

Option forward in order to ensure that the necessary water rights, land use permits, water supply 

agreements, environmental clearances, and funding, are in place to allow timely design and 

construction of this Option. 

Reclamation further recommends that Park City, Summit County, MRWSSD, SWDC, WBWCD, 

and other stakeholders cooperate together with water development in the Snyderville Basin. The 

next step should be a coordinated effort to develop a Master Plan for the Snyderville Basin, 

including all water suppliers and local government entities in the Basin. As both the Lost Creek 

Canyon and the East Canyon Pipeline projects are needed, good communication and cooperation 

are essential in developing the plans and infrastructure needed to maximize benefits to the 

residents of Park City and Snyderville Basin. Reclamation therefore recommends that efforts be 

conscientiously implemented to build relationships of cooperation and understanding among all 

stakeholder entities. Improved cooperation will greatly enhance the ability to meet the future 

water needs of the Snyderville Basin. 

Figure 6-1 shows a recommended timeline for implementing the preferred plan. As shown, the 

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option would meet M&I needs in the immediate and near future 

with the East Canyon Pipeline Option meeting later needs. The figure also shows a “transition” 

or “over-lap” period where both projects would meet growth needs in the basin at the same time. 

This would likely occur as the Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Option water is near full utilization 

and the East Canyon Pipeline Option has been constructed and is operational. Factors which 

could govern the size of the over-lap would include how quickly the East Canyon Pipeline 

Option can be constructed, the location of need within the Basin, and which water supply is the 

most marketable in terms of cost of water, proximity to growth areas, customer service, etc. 

Table 6-5 is a study summary which shows existing and projected needs, current water supply, 

and the preferred plan for meeting those projected needs. 

6-11
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

Future M&I Need (Acre-feet)

 

East Canyon Pipeline

12,100 Acre-feet

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline

5,000 Acre-feet 

Projected Reliable Supply

(Includes additional groundwater development, 

Agriculture to M&I Conversion and Water Reuse) 

Transition 

Year 

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 

35,000 

30,000 

25,000 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

0

Figure 6-1 

Preferred Plan Implementation 

*

*Area to the left of the vertical line (2005) indicates M&I demands in excess of 

projected reliable supply. In order to meet the M&I demands, reserve capacity is 

being used. 

6-12
Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report

TABLE 6-5 

Study Summary

Units: Acre-Feet per Year 

Existing and Projected Needs 2001 2030 2050

Population 23,900 64,300 86,300

Calculated M&I Demand 9,800 25,300 32,000

 Water conservation 0 (2,300) (5,000)

Adjusted M&I Demand 9,800 23,000 27,000

 Min instream flow and wastewater dilution requirement 0 1,100 1,600

 Mine tunnel concerns – mine collapse, water quality 0 2,000 2,000

Projected M&I Demand 9,800 26,100 30,600

Estimated Current Production Capacity 14,000 14,000 14,000

 Lost Creek Canyon Project na 1,600 1,600

 Jordanelle Special Service District imports na 1,000 1,000

 Increased groundwater development na 200 300

 Future agricultural conversions na 400 500

 Reserve Capacity (4,200) (6,500) (7,500)

Projected Reliable Supply 9,800 10,700 9,900

Projected Future M&I Needs (Future Development) 0 15,400 20,700

 Future Water Reuse (Developed by Others) 0 2,000 3,600

Projected Additional M&I Needs (Preferred Plan) 0 13,400 17,100

Preferred Plan 

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline -- 5,000 5,000

East Canyon Pipeline -- 8,400 12,100

Total Future Development -- 13,400 17,100

6-13
Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

References 

1. Browns Canyon Water Supply Evaluation, Mountain Regional Water Special Service 

District and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, MWH, November 2000. 

The objective of the Browns Canyon Water Supply Evaluation is to develop a cost 

estimate to deliver water from the Weber River drainage to eastern and western Summit

County. The remainder of this technical memorandum presents a brief history on the 

Browns Canyon Water Supply Project, a cursory review of the future water supply needs 

as they relate to the Browns Canyon Water Supply Project, an overview of proposed 

facilities, and the economic analysis completed for the proposed facilities. 

2. Draft Long Range Strategic Water Plan, Mountain Regional Water Special Service 

District, May 14, 2000. 

This Long Range Strategic Water Plan is presented as a comprehensive water planning 

and implementation tool for Mountain Regional Water Special Service District of 

Summit County. This plan outlines the goals, objectives, policies, strategies, and values 

necessary to accomplish responsive and dynamic long-range water planning for Summit 

County. 

3. East Canyon Pipeline Project – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, Summit Water 

Distribution Company, February 2000 with update in March 2000. 

The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the East Canyon Pipeline Project 

addresses the requirements of the Storm Water Discharge Permit for controlling erosion 

during construction and operation of the project. 

4. East Canyon Pipeline Project – Environmental Assessment (Morgan and Summit 

Counties, UT), Summit Water Distribution Company, September 1999. 

This report analyzes the anticipated environmental impacts of the East Canyon Pipeline 

Project. 

5. East Canyon Pipeline Project – Project Permits and Approvals, Summit Water 

Distribution Company, September 1999. 

These documents include project permits and approvals from the Utah State Engineer, 

Army Corps of Engineers, Utah Division of Water Quality, Utah Division of Drinking 

Water, Bureau of Reclamation, Utah Department of Transportation, and others for the 

construction of the East Canyon Pipeline Project. 

6. East Canyon Pipeline Project – Stream Restoration Water Quality and Fishery Values, 

Summit Water Distribution Company, September 1999. 

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Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Summit Water Distribution Company has committed in an agreement with the Division 

of Water Resources to take affirmative steps to increase in-stream flows in the creek, 

lower creek water temperatures, create, restore, and maintain riparian habitat, improve 

water quality, and provide angler access. 

7. East Canyon Pipeline Project – Water Quality and Stream Enhancement Report, Summit 

Water Distribution Company, September 1999. 

This report addresses the key water quality issues associated with the East Canyon 

Pipeline Project and outlines voluntary components of the project that are aimed at 

restoring the natural stream environment and fishery values in East Canyon Creek. 

8. Green River Pipeline Cost Analysis, Utah Division of Water Resources, October 2002, 

Draft. Addendum to the Report in October 2003. 

This report looks at various alternatives to import water from the Green River drainage, a 

major tributary to the Colorado River, for use along the Wasatch Front. In particular, it 

investigates the feasibility of importing water from either Fontenelle Reservoir in western 

Wyoming or Flaming Gorge Reservoir, near the Utah Wyoming border, into the Bear 

River or Weber River drainage. 

9. Groundwater Conditions in Utah, Spring 2002, Report No. 43, Utah Division of Water 

Resources, Utah Division of Water Rights, U. S. Geologic Survey, 2002. 

This report contains information on well construction, ground-water withdrawal, waterlevel changes, precipitation, streamflow, and chemical quality of water. This report also 

includes individual discussions of selected significant areas of ground-water development 

in the State for calendar year 2001. 

10. Hydrology and Snowmelt Simulation of Snyderville Basin, Park City, and adjacent areas, 

Summit County, Utah, Technical Publication No. 115, Utah Division of Water 

Resources, Utah Division of Water Rights, U. S. Geologic Survey, 2002. 

This report describes the hydrologic system and documents the quantity and quality of 

water resources in the Snyderville Basin and adjacent areas. The report is based on the 

most recent interpretation of hydrological data and geology and assist planners in 

assessing the effects of increased development on surface-water flows, ground-water 

levels, spring discharge, and the quality of the area’s water resources. This report also 

indicates where additional ground-water monitoring would help to determine the extent 

of the effects of increased development. The results of this study provide a basis for 

comparison from which possible future changes to the hydrological system can be 

identified. Information summarized in this report includes: climatic data; surface-water

flow; water levels in wells; discharge from springs, wells, and mine tunnels; and waterquality data. 

R-2
Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

11. Investigation of Water Supply Options, East Canyon Reservoir Rockport Reservoir, 

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, CRS Engineers, April 1998. 

This report is limited to providing relative cost information for two options for providing 

water to the Snyderville Basin. Summit Water Distribution Company proposed 

construction of a transmission main from East Canyon Reservoir via East Canyon to 

Jeremy Ranch for treatment. Weber Basin Water Conservancy District proposed an 

alternate project which would treat water at Rockport Reservoir and pump it to the top of 

Kents Canyon for subsequent feed into distribution systems. 

12. Municipal and Industrial Water Supply Studies, Utah Weber River Basin, Utah Division 

of Water Resources, July 1996. 

The total municipal and industrial (M&I) water supplies and uses for the Weber River 

Basin, are computed by compiling the results of the four separate areas (Summit County, 

Morgan County, Ogden Valley, and the Wasatch Front) in this report. All of the data was 

compiled for the 1992 calendar year. The reliable annual M&I water supply under 

present conditions for the Weber River Basin is 263,226 acre-feet. 

13. Preliminary Engineering Report for Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Project, Mountain 

Regional Water Special Service District and Promontory L.L.C., Aqua Engineering, Inc., 

February 2003. 

The purpose of this project is to convey raw water for irrigation and culinary use to the 

Mountain Regional Water Special Service District service areas in the Silver Creek 

Basin. The project includes: a system of interconnected shallow wells, a booster 

pumping facility, a water transmission line to the divide between the Weber River Basin 

and Silver Creek Basin, two open reservoirs for irrigation and treatment supply, and a 

raw water treatment facility. 

14. Preliminary Investigation, Upper Weber Water Supply, Park City Municipal Corporation, 

Entranco, Inc., May 2001. 

The preliminary investigation was undertaken by Park City Municipal Corporation to 

help meet its challenges in providing public utilities such as water and sewer. This 

investigation centers around a 14-mile pipeline that would extend from an existing lake 

storage reservoir to Park City’s water system. Three primary alternatives were identified 

and evaluated for determining probable least cost over the expected life of the project. 

15. Summit County Regional Water Management Plan, Summit County Water Systems, 

MWH, December 2001. 

The Summit County Regional Water Management Plan was developed to aid public 

water systems, along with state and county agencies, with long range planning. The 

management plan includes summaries of 34 public water systems located in Summit 

County. 

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Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

16. The Geology of the Synderville Basin and Its Relation to Ground-Water Conditions, 

Francis X. Ashland, Charles E. Bishop, Mike Lowe, and Bea H. Mayes, Utah Geological 

Survey, Open-File Report 337, August 1996. 

This study takes a detailed look at the water bearing rock formations in the Snyderville 

Basin, their relationship to one another and their water bearing and transmitting 

properties. A detailed review of the fracture patterns is made as well as effects of faults 

on ground-water movement. This study is the first to define and divide the Synderville 

Basin into discrete ground-water compartments, and recommendations for future study 

are made. 

17. The Upper Weber River Water Development Project for Summit County, Weber Basin 

Water Conservancy District, February 1996. 

The District has investigated the potential for development of a culinary water source to 

be supplied to the Snyderville Basin largely out of Smith & Morehouse Reservoir. 

Several Options have been considered for providing the most economical and reliable 

source to the Snyderville and Park City areas. A preferred alternative was identified to 

bring water from Wanship Dam through Kent Canyon to Park City. Two 1,000 gpm

wells would be drilled and a 9 mgd package water treatment plant would be constructed. 

18. Utah State Water Plan, Weber River Basin, Utah Division of Water Resources, May 

1997. 

This report provides a detailed analysis of water related issues, data, and information for 

the 11 major hydrological river basins within the state, including the Weber River Basin. 

19. Wanship Pump Station and Pipeline Preliminary Design, Bureau of Reclamation, August 

2004, 95 Percent Review. 

It is proposed that a pump station be constructed to pump water from the base of Wanship 

Dam or above Rockport Reservoir, to an existing booster pump station. The existing 

booster pump station is part of a project know as Lost Creek Canyon Project constructed 

by Mountain Regional Water Special Service District. This report represents a 

preliminary level of designs and cost estimates for four different pump station and 

pipeline alternatives and is intended to direct decision makers to the best possible option. 

20. Wanship Water Transmission System Predesign Study, Weber Basin Water Conservancy 

District, MWH and Bowen, Collins & Associates, December 2001. 

The objective of this report is to provide an update to the transmission and storage 

sections of the Wanship Water Treatment Plant Predesign Study, based upon 

developments of the past year. The Wanship WTP Predesign Study examined water 

transmission and storage options for delivering water from Wanship Reservoir to Park 

City. 

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Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

21. Wanship Water Treatment Plant Predesign Report, Weber Basin Water Conservancy 

District, MWH and Bowen, Collins & Associates, September 2000. 

The purpose of the Wanship Water Treatment Plant Predesign Project is to prepare the 

framework for development of a new potable water supply for areas of Summit County in 

and around Park City. The Pre-design Project consists of four principal component tasks: 

Identify and preliminarily configure the raw water source for the new potable supply; 

Identify the preferred raw and treated water transmission corridors; Select a preferred 

water treatment process train and conduct a pilot study to verify and optimize the process 

selection; and finally, Identify and preliminarily configure the site of the new Wanship 

WTP. 

22. Water Related Land Use Inventories, Weber River Basin, Utah Division of Water 

Resources, December 1992. 

The land use inventory program of UDWR was set up to provide the land use data needed 

in preparation of water budgets, hydrological inventory reports and other state water 

planning activities. UDWR inventoried over 246,000 acres of land in the Weber River 

Basin. This represents only about 16 percent of the entire Basin. Areas not inventoried 

are mainly rangeland and national forests. Of the inventoried acres, 142,102 were 

irrigated land, 18,747 were wet/open water areas, and 81,027 were residential/industrial 

areas. 

23. Water Supply and Water Demand Update, Park City Municipal Corporation, MWH, May 

2000. 

The purpose of the Water Supply and Water Demand Update is to characterize the 

existing potable water consumption patterns and to update the potable water demands 

within the boundaries of Park City at buildout. The maximum day summer demands are 

expected to increase from the existing 5,960 gpm to 9,700 gpm at buildout, which is 

projected to occur by 2019. 

24. Weber River Basin Planning for the Future, Utah Division of Water Resources, July 20, 

2004, Public Draft. 

This document is the latest in the “Utah State Water Plan” series and is intended to guide 

and direct water-related planning and management in the Weber River Basin into the next 

century. It summarizes key data obtained through the previous water planning 

documents, introduces new data where available, and addresses issues of importance to 

all future water planning efforts. 

25. 2005 Heavy Construction Cost Data, 19th Annual Edition, R.S. Means, 2004 

26. East Canyon Creek Flow Augmentation Feasibility Study, Summit and Morgan Counties, 

Kleinfelder, Inc., Barnett Intermountain Water Consulting, and CRS Consulting 

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Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

Engineers, Inc., February 14, 2005, Prepared for Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation 

District. 

27. East Juab County Water Efficiency Projects, Draft Appraisal Study, U.S. Bureau of 

Reclamation, May 2005. 

28. Increasing Utah’s Usable Water Supply through Conjunctive Management of Water, 

Utah Division of Water Resources In-House Draft, September 13, 2004. 

29. Flitton, John S. Legal Counsel for Summit Water Distribution Company. Written 

Communication, December 19, 2005, and letter from Utah Division of Public Utilities to 

Utah Public Service Commission, August 2, 2002. 

30. Luers, Michael D. General Manager. Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District. 

Telephone conversation record. September 22, 2004. 

31. Luers, Michael D. General Manager. Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District. 

Written Communication, November 10, 2005. 

32. McMurray, Steven R., of McMurray, McMurray, Dale & Parkinson, Legal Counsel for 

East Canyon Resort, Clayton Macfarlane Company, and 910 Cattle Company. Letter 

with 18 Exhibits, March 28, 2002. Addresses Issues and Lawsuit(s) opposing the 

Summit Water Distribution Company’s proposed East Canyon Water Pipeline. 

33. Sanks, Robert L. et. al., Pumping Station Design, Second Edition, ButterworthHeinemann, 1998. 

34. Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study - Status Report, Bureau of Reclamation, March 

2005. 

35. Summit County 2004 Concurrency Reports, PWS within Snyderville Basin, Summit 

County Concurrency Officer Files, April, 2004. 

36. Silver Creek Total Maximum Daily Load for Dissolved Zinc and Cadmium, Utah 

Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, Approved by EPA 

August 4, 2004. 

37. Total Maximum Daily Load for East Canyon Reservoir, Utah Department of 

Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, April 1, 2000. 

38. Total Maximum Daily Load for East Canyon Creek, Utah Department of Environmental 

Quality, Division of Water Quality, April 1, 2000. 

39. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report No. 145, Robert W. Hill, Utah 

State University, Logan, Utah, Submitted to the Utah Department of Natural Resources,

Division of Water Resources and Division of Water Rights. 

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Snyderville Basin Water Supply Study Special Report 

40. Utah’s M&I Water Conservation Plan – Investing in the Future, Utah Division of Water 

Resources, 2003b. 

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A-1

Appendix – Cost Estimates 

Cost Assumptions 

All costs are in 2005 dollars 

Cost Per Horse Power 

The required horsepower was calculated with the power routine in the spreadsheet. It accounts 

for static and dynamic heads. A redundancy factor of 1.25 was used. 

New Installation 

Full cost of pumps, controls and structures. 

East Juab Study22 (Draft) $1150/HP (SBWSS34) $1340/HP 

Using the cost curve in Sanks33 (corrected with ENR-CCI) which was based on gallons per 

minute EC Intake $1,500/HP LC Intake $1,300/HP 

Sanks was determined to be reasonable due to the respective difficulties building the inlet 

structures. For booster pump plants, $1,150/HP was used. 

Upgrade Horse Power 

Full cost of pumps and controls installed only. No structure 

East Juab Study $500/HP (SBWSS34 ) $440/HP Used $490/HP 

On Option 5, it was assumed that the intake plant and booster pump plant would be built in their 

entirety at the beginning of the project, with the pumping capacity added as needed. Therefore, 

for the 8,750 acre-feet and 12,500 acre-feet estimates, the pump plant costs were calculated as 

the new horsepower cost, minus the upgrade horsepower cost. This provides the cost of the 

buildings, which would be built at the beginning of the project. Then the pump horsepower was 

added at the upgrade cost as needed. 

Treatment Plant 

Treatment Plant and upgrade capital costs were taken from actual costs of the existing facilities. 

This is reasonable for cost comparison purposes. Actual costs would probably be higher. 

Building 0.40 $/gpd = $400,000 /mgd 

WTP Expansion 0.90 $/gpd = $900,000 /mgd 

It was assumed that treatment costs would be equal for each Option for comparison purposes. In 

reality the costs would differ somewhat due to different water characteristics. 

Sanks uses 5 percent of capitol cost for pumps and controls as a reasonable estimate of 

maintenance costs. Treatment maintenance was calculated at 5 percent of equipment which was 

calculated as capacity times the WTP expansion cost, plus 1 percent of building cost (1 percent is 

a real estate industry standard for building maintenance costs). 

Treatment Plant wastewater disposal costs were not included. It was assumed that these costs 

would be equal, and could be ignored for comparison purposes. 

East Canyon Pipeline Costs 

Ductile iron pipe prices are from a supplier. 

Butterfly valve price is from a supplier. 
A-2

Tees and elbows are a multiple of the per foot pipe price. The multiple was obtained from 

RSMeans 24 inch pipe prices. 

Installation costs per piece is estimated from RSMeans 24 inch pipe costs. 

Power Costs 

Pump and pipeline power costs were calculated using Utah Power’s Schedule No. 8 rates for 

high demand uses, and Schedule No. 6 for moderate demand uses (less than 1,000 kW). 

Historical water demand for Park City was used for monthly demand distribution. Water 

demand was phased in at 525 acre-feet per year until capacity was reached. 

Treatment plant power costs were determined by calculating the high month power cost using 

Schedule No. 8, and dividing that by the plant capacity for a unit cost, which is included in the 

treatment costs. SWDC’s power requirements were used, and the calculated unit cost matched 

the unit cost provided by MRSSD. This does not account for lower costs during lower usage 

months, but since both water treatment plants have the same treatment costs applied, this was 

acceptable for comparison purposes. 

Treatment Costs 

SWDC’s power use estimate for the highest month was used to determine a unit cost of power 

for treatment. This corresponded closely with the power costs estimated by MRWSSD. For 

other treatment costs, $50 per thousand gallons was used. 

Life Cycle Costs 

Life cycle costs include capital costs (both new facilities and sunk cost in existing facilities), use 

of facilities charges, operation maintenance and replacement costs, and the cost of water. The 

life cycle costs were calculated at present worth using the rates from Office of Management and 

Budget Circular No. A-94 dated January 2005. Since the design life is 50 years, the 30 year rates 

of 5.2 percent nominal interest rate and 3.1 percent real interest rate were used to discount future 

expenditures. An exception to this was necessary for use of facilities for the options involving 

JSSD. JSSD imposed a 4 percent escalator to their use of facilities charges. Using the 4 percent 

as the inflation factor yields a 1.2 percent real interest rate for discounting the JSSD use of 

facilities costs. This significantly increases the life cycle costs for the JSSD options. If real 

inflation exceeds the projected inflation of 2.1 percent, or JSSD reduces their escalation factor to 

match the inflation projection, the JSSD life cycle costs would decrease significantly to where 

the JSSD Option could be competitive. 

Deferred construction costs and pump replacement costs were discounted using Equation 1 

below. Annual operation and maintenance costs were discounted using Equation 2 below. 

Equation 1 ( )n r

A P

+ = 1

Equation 2 ( ) ⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛ = ∗ − +

−n

r

r

A P 1 1

 Where: P = present value 

 A = amount discounted 
A-3

 r = discount rate (real interest rate) 

 n = number of years 

For power, treatment, and water costs, both equations were used. Each cost was calculated using 

Equation 1 in tabular form in 525 acre-feet per year increments until capacity was reached. 

From the year capacity was reached to year 50, Equation 2 was used. The 525 acre-feet per year 

increment was used to reach the projected need in 2030. 

Pump Replacement 

Recommended replacement frequency is from 10 to 20 years depending on use. 

Moderate use is expected, so a replacement frequency of 13 years was chosen, requiring 3 

replacements in 50 years. 

Replacement cost per HP was calculated as 40 percent of the upgrade cost per HP. 

O&M 

Sanks uses 5 percent of capitol cost for pumps and controls as a reasonable estimate of 

maintenance costs. Maintenance of equipment is calculated at 5 percent of cost throughout these 

estimates. One percent is a real estate industry standard for building maintenance costs, and is 

used for that purpose throughout these estimates. 

Pipeline costs were calculated as 5 percent of the pipeline fitting cost, 5 percent of the 

horsepower upgrade cost, and 1 percent of building costs. Pump plant equipment costs were 

determined by using upgrade horsepower costs as equipment costs. Pump plant building costs 

were determined by subtracting pump upgrade cost from new pump installation cost. 

Cost to Water Provider 

For Option 5, East Canyon Pipeline, a cost of $15,150 per acre-foot of capacity was used in place 

of capital costs and use of facilities. This cost was applied at 525 acre-feet per year until the 

12,500 acre-feet of capacity was reached, and then discounted to present value. This total 

replaced capital costs and use of facilities costs. There is no financing component to these 

calculations. 

For Option 7, Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline, the applicable portions of the existing bond payments 

were discounted to present value. Future construction costs and bonding costs were calculated 

and a 30 year bond payment schedule at 5.1 percent was calculated. These future payments were 

discounted to present value. This total replaced capital costs and cost of existing facilities. 

Cost of Water 

For Option 5, East Canyon Pipeline, a cost of $160 per acre-foot was applied to the first 5,000 

acre feet used, and $20.70 was applied to each additional acre foot. This reflects SWDC’s 

contract with Davis & Weber Counties Canal Company for 5,000 acre feet, and the annual 

assessment on SWDC’s Davis & Weber Counties Canal Company water shares. 

For Option 7, Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline, a cost of $110 per acre-foot was the price quoted by 

WBWCD, the water supplier. 
A-4

Table 6- 3 

Method 1 includes capital costs for new facilities only, using Reclamation’s estimating standards 

which include an additional 10 percent for unlisted contract items, 20 percent for contingencies, 

and 12 percent for engineering design and construction oversight. 

Method 2 includes capital costs for new and existing facilities using Reclamtion’s estimating 

standards. 

Method 3 includes capital costs for new facilities, and the actual costs for the existing facilities 

updated to 2005 using the ENR-CCI Index. 

Method 4 is the contract cost of new facilities only. 

Method 5 attempts to capture the difference in business plans of the public and private water 

suppliers. Option 5 capital costs were calculated using $15,000 per “A” share of SWDC plus the 

$150 conversion fee. Purchases were phased at 525 shares per year until a total of 12,500 shares 

were purchased. No provision was made to finance these purchases. Option 7 capital costs were 

calculated using 5,000/6,600 times the bond payments for the existing facilities (the reduction 

factor reflects the 1,600 acre-feet of existing capacity). Additional bonds were calculated such 

that 85 percent of the bond proceeds would cover construction costs, and equal annual payments 

were made at 5.2 percent, over 30 years. The accuracy of the representation of costs for Method 

5 is suspect and therefore this method is not included in the body of the report. 

Cost of Right of Way Easements 

Right of way easements across private lands would need to be obtained for Options 5 and 7. For 

Option 7, a 30 feet by 4,200 feet right of way from Promontory Development to Highway 40 is 

required. Current land sales in the area have been for approximately two dollars per square foot. 

A worst case of 80 percent of this cost would be required for a perpetual easement for a total of 

$201,600. For Option 5, Reclamation estimated a 30 feet by 24,000 feet perpetual land easement 

containing approximately 16.53 acres of recreational property in Morgan County would cost 

$27,000. Recently a 7,200 acre Ranch (Clayton Macfarlane Company) sold a conservation 

easement that covers a portion of the County road along East Canyon Creek in Summit and 

Morgan counties. Right of Way across this conservation easement will also have to be 

negotiated, but this cost is not included in these estimates. 

Acre-Feet Delivered 

To reach the 2030 demand from the 2005 supply, 525 acre-feet per year increments were used. 

Life cycle cost estimates assume this 525 acre-feet per year increment until the option reaches 

capacity, then the system operates at capacity the remainder of the 50 year lifecycle. 

The cost per acre-foot delivered calculation takes the total lifecycle cost and divides it by the 

total number of acre-feet delivered over the 50 year lifecycle. The calculated acre-feet delivered 

for all Options, except Options 3 and 4, are: 

 Discounted 

 Acre-Foot Acre-Feet Acre-Feet 

 Capacity Delivered Delivered

 2,500 120,250 60,461 

 5,000 228,625 110,326 

 8,750 374,800 168,308 

 12,500 488,300 209,625 
A-5

Options 3 and 4 were calculated as though the full capacity was delivered the entire 50 years: 

 Discounted 

 Acre-Foot Acre-Feet Acre-Feet 

 Capacity Delivered Delivered

 500 25,000 13,015 

 3,600 180,000 93,711 
A-6

Cost Tables 

 

OPTION 3 - COMBINED WATER REUSE PIPELINE 

(3600 Ac-Ft) 

Capital Costs 

 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost 

SCWRF to Quinns Junction 

12" PVC Pipe Installed 10,000 LF $47 $472,100 

14" PVC Pipe Installed 17,500 LF $61 $1,059,275 

16" PVC Pipe Installed 4,600 LF $69 $317,354 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $277,309 $277,309 

Jack 24" under Hiwy40&189 1,600 LF $284 $454,400 

Jacking Pits 4 EA $12,000 $48,000 

Pumping HP 330 EA $1,150 $379,500 

Asphalt @ 10%of pipeline length 3,050 LF $65 $198,403 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $160,317 $160,317 

 Subtotal $3,366,658 

ECWRF to Park Meadows GC 

8" PVC Pipe Installed 10,500 LF $25 $262,805 

10" PVC Pipe Installed 8,500 LF $34 $287,725 

12" PVC Pipe Installed 46,500 LF $47 $2,195,265 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $411,869 $411,869 

Asphalt @ 10% 6,550 LF $65 $426,078 

Pumping HP 600 EA $1,150 $690,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $213,687 $213,687 

 Subtotal $4,487,428 

Interconnection 

12" PVC Pipe Installed 8,500 LF $47 $401,285 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $60,193 $60,193 

Asphalt @ 10% of pipeline length 822 LF $65 $53,439 

Pumping HP 285 EA $1,150 $327,750 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $42,133 $42,133 

 Subtotal $884,800 

Membrane Treatment Facilities 

Membrane Filtration Facilities 3 MGD $1,300,000 $3,900,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $268,611 $268,611 

 Subtotal $4,168,611 

 

 Subtotal $12,907,497 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $1,290,750 

 Contract Cost $14,198,247 

Contingency @ 20% $2,839,649 

 Field Cost $17,037,896 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $2,044,548 

 Total Cost = $19,100,000 

2/23/2006 COST PER ACRE FOOT $5,306 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-7

 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

OPTION 3 - COMBINED WATER REUSE PIPELINE 

(3600 Ac-Ft) 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

 

Capital Costs $19,100,000 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $238,140 $340,203 

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $67,236 $1,697,595 

Power Present Annual Cost $152,017 $3,838,170 

Treatment of Silver Creek WRF Water 161 $/Ac-Ft $6,498,552 

Cost of Water 0 0 $0 

Cost of Existing Facilities (PV) $750,000 

 Total Present Worth = $32,200,000 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-8

 

OPTION 3 - SILVER CREEK WRF WATER REUSE PIPELINE 

(1600 Ac-Ft)) 

Capital Costs 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost 

SCWRF TO Park Meadows GC 

12" PVC Pipe Installed 10,000 LF $47 $472,100 

14" PVC Pipe Installed 17,500 LF $61 $1,059,275 

16" PVC Pipe Installed 4,600 LF $69 $317,354 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $277,309 $277,309 

Pumping HP 330 EA $1,150 $379,500 

Asphalt @ 10% 3,210 LF $65 $208,811 

Jack 24" under Hiwy40&189 1,600 LF $284 $454,400 

Jacking Pits 4 EA $12,000 $48,000 

Membrane Filtration Facilities 3 MGD $1,300,000 $3,900,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $135,717 $135,717 

 Subtotal $7,252,466 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $725,247 

 Contract Cost $7,977,713 

 

Contingency @ 20% $1,595,543 

 Field Cost $9,573,256 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $1,148,791 

 Total Cost = $10,700,000 

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $5,350 

 

 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs $10,700,000 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $64,680 $92,401 

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $21,950 $554,211 

Power Present Annual Cost $67,563 $1,705,853 

Treatment of Silver Creek WRF Water $161 $/Ac-Ft $6,498,552 

Cost of Water 0 0 $0 

Use of Existing Facilities $0 

 

 Total Present Worth $19,600,000 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-9

 

OPTION 3 - EAST CANYON WRF WATER REUSE PIPELINE 

(2000 Ac-Ft) 

Capital Costs 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost 

8" PVC Pipe Installed 10,500 LF $25 $262,805 

10" PVC Pipe Installed 8,500 LF $34 $287,725 

12" PVC Pipe Installed 46,500 LF $47 $2,195,265 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $411,869 $411,869 

Asphalt @ 10% 6,550 LF $65 $426,078 

Pumping HP 600 EA $1,150 $690,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $213,687 $213,687 

 Subtotal $4,487,428 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $448,743 

 Contract Cost $4,936,171 

 

Contingency @ 20% $987,234 

 Field Cost $5,923,405 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $710,809 

 Total Cost = $6,600,000 

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $4,125 

 

 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs $6,600,000 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $117,600 $168,001 

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $35,293 $891,099 

Power Present Annual Cost $84,454 $2,132,317 

Cost of Water 0 0 $0 

Cost of Existing Facilities (PV) $750,000 

 

 Total Present Worth = $10,500,000 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-10

 

OPTION 4 - JSSD TANK TO PARK CITY AT QUINN'S JUNCTION 

500 AC-FT JSSD WATER 

CAPITAL COSTS 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

 

12" DIP 18,000 LF $74 $1,326,780

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $199,017 $199,017

Pumping HP 150 EA $1,300 $195,000

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $86,040 $86,040

 Subtotal $1,806,837

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $180,684

 

Contract 

Cost $1,987,521

 

Contingency @ 20% $397,504

 Field Cost $2,385,025

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $286,203

 Total Cost = $2,700,000

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $5,400

 

 

OPTION 4 - JSSD TANK TO PARK CITY AT QUINN'S JUNCTION 

500 AC-FT JSSD WATER 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 I 0.031 Present Value 

 N 50 

Capital Costs $2,700,000

 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $29,400 $42,000

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $14,841 $374,706

Power Present Cost $6,819 $172,180

Cost of Water 0 $/Ac-Ft $0

Use of Existing Facilities 820/Ac-Ft 

plus 4%/yr./AcFt $15,348,514

 Total Present Worth $18,600,000

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-11

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

 5,000 Ac-Ft 

Capital Costs 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Intake Pump Plant (HP) 2,000 HP $1,500 $3,000,000 

Booster Pump Plant 1,500 HP $1,150 $1,725,000 

24" pipeline 1 LS $11,420,063 $11,420,063 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $811,003 $811,003 

Substation 1 LS $2,500,000 $2,500,000 

Right of Way 1 LS $27,000 $27,000 

 Subtotal $19,558,067 

Park City Connection 

16" PVC Pipeline 5680 LF $100 $567,233 

Fittings 1 LS $85,085 $85,085 

Upgrade Pump Capacity 800 HP $490 $392,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $52,216 $52,216 

 Subtotal $1,096,534 

Treatment 

Plant Expansion 3.5 mgd $900,000 $3,150,000 

 

 Subtotal $23,804,601 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $2,380,460 

 Contract Cost $26,185,061 

 

Contingency @ 20% $5,237,012 

 Field Cost $31,422,073 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $3,770,649 

 Total Cost = $35,200,000 

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $7,040 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-12

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

 5,000 Ac-Ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

 

Capital Costs $35,200,000 

Pipeline Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $842,800 $1,204,010 

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $225,355 $5,689,818 

Pipeline Power Cost $20,110,881 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft + Maint. $29,758,740 

Cost of water $17,218,122 

Cost of Existing Facilities (2005 $) $15,553,276

 Total Present Worth $124,700,000 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-13

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

8,750 Ac-Ft 

Capital Costs 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Phase 1 

Intake Pump Plant 1 LS $3,535,000 $3,535,000 

Booster Pump Plant 1 LS $1,650,000 $1,650,000 

Intake Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 2,000 HP $490 $980,000 

Booster Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

30" pipeline 1 LS $13,440,051 $13,440,051 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $1,020,753 $1,020,753 

Substation 1 LS $3,000,000 $3,000,000 

Treatment Plant Expansion 3.5 mgd $900,000 $3,150,000 

Right of Way 1 LS $27,000 $27,000 

 Subtotal $27,612,803 

Park City Connection 

16" PVC Pipeline 5680 LF $100 $567,233 

Fittings 1 LS $85,085 $85,085 

Upgrade Pump Capacity 800 HP $490 $392,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $52,216 $52,216 

 Subtotal $1,096,534 

Phase 2 

Intake Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

Booster Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,000 HP $490 $490,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $61,250 $61,250 

Treatment Plant Expansion 7 mgd $900,000 $6,300,000 

 Subtotal $7,586,250 

 

 Subtotal $36,295,587 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $3,629,559 

 Contract Cost $39,925,146 

 

Contingency @ 20% $7,985,029 

 Field Cost $47,910,175 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $5,749,221 

 Total Cost = $53,700,000 

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $6,137 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-14

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

8,750 Ac-Ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $45,750,997 

Capital Costs Phase 2 9 $7,949,003 $6,039,273 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation at 13 year intervals 

Phase 1 AT 13,26 AND 39 YEARS 13,26,39 $842,800 $1,204,010 

Phase 2 AT 22,35 AND 48 YEARS 22,35,48 $490,000 $1,470,000 

 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $7,693,251 

Pipeline Power Cost $12,292,184 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft + Maint. $44,476,672 

Cost of water $19,090,235 

Method 1 (New Facilities) Life Cycle Present Worth $138,000,000 

Cost of Existing Facilities (Reclamation estimate) $22,300,000

Method 2 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $160,300,000

Actual Cost of Existing Facilities (2005 $) $15,600,000

 

Method 3 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $153,600,000

 

Method 4 Life Cycle Present Worth $124,700,000

Method 5 Cost to Wholesaler $191,500,000

 

Cost Per Ac-Ft Delivered 

(PV) $511 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-15

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

12,500 Ac-Ft 

Capital Costs 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Phase 1 

Intake Pump Plant 1 LS $5,050,000 $5,050,000 

Booster Pump Plant 1 LS $2,640,000 $2,640,000 

Intake Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 2,000 HP $490 $980,000 

Booster Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

30" pipeline 1 LS $13,440,051 $13,440,051 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $1,146,003 $1,146,003 

Electrical Substation 1 LS $3,870,000 $3,870,000 

Treatment Plant Expansion 3.5 mgd $900,000 $3,150,000 

Right of Way 1 LS $27,000 $27,000 

 Subtotal $31,113,053 

Park City Connection 

16" PVC Pipeline 5680 LF $100 $567,233 

Fittings 1 LS $85,085 $85,085 

Upgrade Pump Capacity 800 HP $490 $392,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $52,216 $52,216 

 Subtotal $1,096,534 

Phase 2 

Intake Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

Booster Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,000 HP $490 $490,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $61,250 $61,250 

Treatment Plant Expansion 7 mgd $900,000 $6,300,000 

 Subtotal $7,586,250 

Phase3 

Intake Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

Booster Pump Plant Pumps (HP) 1,500 HP $490 $735,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $73,500 $73,500 

Treatment Plant Expansion 6 mgd $900,000 $5,400,000 

 Subtotal $6,943,500 

 

 Subtotal $46,739,337 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $4,673,934 

 Contract Cost $51,413,271 

Contingency @ 20% $10,282,654 

 Field Cost $61,695,925 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $5,608,720 

 Total Cost = $67,300,000 

 COST PER ACRE FOOT $5,384 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-16

 

OPTION 5 - EAST CANYON PIPELINE 

12,500 Ac-Ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $49,565,903 

Capital Costs Phase 2 9 $10,923,446 $8,299,113 

Capital Costs Phase 3 16 $6,810,651 $4,178,785 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation at 13 year intervals 

Phase 1 AT 13,26 AND 39 YEARS 13,26,39 $842,800 $1,204,010 

Phase 2 AT 22,35 AND 48 YEARS 22,35,48 $490,000 $531,831 

Phase 3 AT 31 AND 44 YEARS 29,42 $588,000 $405,714 

 

 Annual 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $9,495,551 

Pipeline Power Cost $17,511,105 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft + Maint. $54,572,800 

Cost of water $20,027,913 

Method 1 (New Facilities) Life Cycle Present Worth $165,800,000 

Cost of Existing Facilities (Reclamation estimate) $22,300,000 

 

Method 2 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $188,100,000 

 

Actual Cost of Existing Facilities (2005 $) $15,600,000

 

Method 3 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $181,400,000 

 

Method 4 Life Cycle Present Worth $151,146,765.53 

Method 5 Cost to Provider $240,200,000

 

Cost Per Ac-Ft Delivered 

(PV) $492 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-17

 

OPTIONS 7 AND 9 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 2500 ac-ft from 1600 to 4100 ac-ft 

Capital Costs 

 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Phase 1 

Diversion to Pump Plant 

Diversion dam w/ Coanda screen 1 LS $200,000 $200,000 

24" pipeline 830 LF $115 $95,583 

12" DI Pipeline to MR 20" @ Hiwy 40 16,500 LF $74 $1,216,215 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $196,769.7 $196,770 

Intake Pump Plant (HP) 150 HP $1,300 $195,000 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $98,928 $98,928 

Right of Way 1 LS $201,600 $201,600 

 Subtotal $2,279,096 

Phase 2 

Treatment Plant Expansion 3 mgd $900,000 $2,700,000 

 

Phase 3 

New Treatment Plant 1.5 mgd $1,300,000 $1,950,000 

 Subtotal $6,929,096 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% 10% $692,910 

 Contract Cost $7,622,005 

 

Contingency @ 20% 20% $1,524,401 

 Field Cost $9,146,407 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $1,097,569 

 Total Cost = $10,200,000 

 $/Ac-Ft Capacity $4,080 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-18

 

OPTIONS 7 AND 9 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 2500 ac-ft from 1600 to 4100 ac-ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

Life Cycle Costs For 2500 Ac-Ft 

Portion Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $3,354,951 

Capital Costs Phase 2 4 $3,974,545 $3,517,651 

Capital Costs Phase 3 7 $2,870,504 $2,318,182 

 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original 

Installation $370,010 $528,590 

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

 Annual 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $50,001 $1,262,444 

 

Transmission Power Cost $3,670,222 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft + OM $16,106,198.17 

Note: Treatment costs assumes1200 ac-ft for Irrigation 

Cost of Water 110 $/Ac-Ft $6,467,061 

Cost of Existing Facilities (PV) $9,915,284 

 Total Present Worth $47,100,000 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-19

 

OPTION 7 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 5000 ac-ft from 1600 to 6600 ac-ft 

Capital Costs - Phased 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Phase 1 

Diversion to Pump Plant 

Diversion dam w/ Coanda screen 1 LS $250,000 $250,000 

24" pipeline 830 LF $115 $95,583 

12" DI Pipeline to MR 20" @ Hiwy 40 16,500 LF $74 $1,216,215 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $196,770 $196,770 

Intake Pump Plant 150 HP $1,300 $195,000 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $101,428 $101,428 

Right of Way 1 LS $201,600 $201,600 

 Subtotal $2,331,596 

 

Promontory to Park City 

16" DI Pipeline 13000 LF $100 $1,298,245 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $194,737 $194,737 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $74,649 $74,649 

 Subtotal $1,567,631 

Phase 2 

Booster Pump Plant Upgrade 

Pump Upgrade 3,800 HP $490 $1,862,000 

Surge Tank 1 LS $300,000 $300,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $108,100 $108,100 

Treatment Plant Expansion 3 mgd $900,000 $2,700,000 

 Subtotal $4,970,100 

Phase 3 

3 MG Raw Water Storage Pond 1 LS $600,000 $600,000 

New Treatment Plant 6.0 mgd $1,300,000 $7,800,000 

 Subtotal $8,400,000 

 

 Total $17,269,327 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% 10% $1,726,933 

 Contract Cost $18,996,259 

Contingency @ 20% 20% $3,799,252 

 Field Cost $22,795,511 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $2,735,461 

 

 Total Cost = $25,500,000 

 $/Ac-Ft Capacity $5,100 

2/28/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-20

 

OPTION 7 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 5000 ac-ft from 1600 to 6600 ac-ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS - PHASED 

 

Life Cycle Costs for 5000 Ac-Ft 

Portion Rate Yrs. Present Value 

 0.031 50 

 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $5,757,623 

Capital Costs Phase 2 4 $7,338,882 $6,495,241 

Capital Costs Phase 3 7 $12,403,495 $10,016,902 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation at 13 year intervals 

Phase 1 AT 13,26 AND 39 YEARS 13,26,39 $29,400 $42,000 

Phase 2 AT 17,30 AND 43 YEARS 17,30,43 $564,242 $713,406 

 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $74,205 $2,344,299 

Transmission Power Cost $6,682,035 $6,682,035 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft $28,158,606 $28,158,606 

Note: Treatment costs assumes1200 ac-ft for Irrigation 

Cost of Water $110 /Ac-Ft $11,837,459 $11,837,459 

Method 1 (New Facilities) Life Cycle Present Worth $72,100,000 

Cost of Existing Facilities (Reclamation estimate) $14,800,000

 

Method 2 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $86,900,000 

 

Actual Cost of Existing Facilities (2005 $) 12,300,000

 

Method 3 Total Life Cycle Present Worth $84,400,000 

 

Method 4 Life Cycle Present Worth $66,400,000 

 

Method 5 Cost to Provider $108,200,000 

 

 $/Ac-Ft Delivered $467 

 

2/28/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-21

 

OPTION 7 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 5900 ac-ft from 1600 to 7500 ac-ft 

Capital Costs - Phased 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

Phase 1 

Diversion to Pump Plant 

Diversion dam w/ Coanda screen 1 LS $275,000 $275,000 

24" pipeline 830 LF $115 $95,583 

12" DI Pipeline to MR 20" @ Hiwy 40 16,500 LF $74 $1,216,215 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $196,770 $196,770 

Intake Pump Plant 200 HP $1,300 $260,000 

Ultrasonic Flow Meter w/ Vault 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $105,928 $105,928 

Right of Way 1 LS $201,600 $201,600 

 Subtotal $2,426,096 

Promontory to Park City 

16" DI Pipeline 13000 LF $100 $1,298,245 

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $194,737 $194,737 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $74,649 $74,649 

 Subtotal $1,567,631 

Phase 2 

Booster Pump Plant Upgrade 

Pump Upgrade 4,200 HP $490 $2,058,000 

Surge Tank 1 LS $300,000 $300,000 

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $117,900 $117,900 

Treatment Plant Expansion 3 mgd $900,000 $2,700,000 

 Subtotal $5,175,900 

Phase 3 

3 MG Raw Water Storage Pond 1 LS $600,000 $600,000 

New Treatment Plant 7.5 mgd $1,300,000 $9,750,000 

 Subtotal $10,350,000 

 

 Total $19,519,627 

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $1,951,963 

 Contract Cost $21,471,589 

Contingency @ 20% $4,294,318 

 Field Cost $25,765,907 

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $3,091,909 

 

 Total Cost = $28,900,000 

 $/Ac-Ft Capacity $4,898 

2/28/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-22

 

OPTION 7 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 5900 ac-ft from 1600 to 7500 ac-ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS - PHASED 

 

Life Cycle Costs for 5000 Ac-Ft 

Portion Rate Yrs. Present Value 

 0.031 50 

 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $5,912,956 

Capital Costs Phase 2 4 $7,663,236 $6,782,309 

Capital Costs Phase 3 7 $15,323,807 $12,375,308 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation at 13 year intervals 

Phase 1 AT 13,26 AND 39 YEARS 13,26,39 $39,200 $56,000 

Phase 2 AT 17,30 AND 43 YEARS 17,30,43 $647,584 $818,780 

 

 Annual 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation 

Years 1 - 4 4 $51,226 $189,958 

Years 5 - 50 $89,598 $1,929,945 

 

Transmission Power Cost $8,010,734 

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft $25,042,289 

Note: Treatment costs assumes1200 ac-ft for Irrigation 

Cost of water $110 /Ac-Ft $13,534,546 

Cost of Existing Facilities $12,318,989 

 Total Present Worth $87,000,000 

 

2/28/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-23

 

OPTION 8 - JSSD TANKS TO QUINN'S JUNCTION AND PARK CITY 

5000 AC-FT WEBER BASIN WATER 

CAPITAL COSTS 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

16" DI Pipe Installed 28,000 LF $113 $3,159,940

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS $473,991 $473,991

Jack 24" under Hiwy189 700 LF $284 $198,800

Jacking Pits 2 EA $12,000 $24,000

Pumping HP 600 EA $1,300 $780,000

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS $231,837 $231,837

 Subtotal $4,868,568

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $486,857

 

Contract 

Cost $5,355,424

 

Contingency @ 20% $1,071,085

 Field Cost $6,426,509

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 12% $771,181

 Total Cost = $7,200,000

 $/Ac-Ft Capacity $1,440

 

 

OPTION 8 - JSSD TANKS TO QUINN'S JUNCTION AND PARK CITY 

5000 AC-FT WEBER BASIN WATER 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs $7,200,000

 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $117,600 $168,001

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $43,260 $1,092,229

Power Present Annual Cost $1,467,733

Cost of Water 110 $/Ac-Ft $11,837,459

Use of Existing Facilities 500/Ac-Ft 

plus 4%/yr./AcFt $83,469,455

 

 Total Present Worth $105,200,000

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 

No costs included for use of the Weber-Provo Canal or Jordanelle Reservoir. 
A-24

 

OPTION 9 - JSSD TANK TO PARK CITY 

2500 AC-FT WEBER BASIN WATER 

CAPITAL COSTS 

Item Quantity Unit Unit Cost Cost

 

16" DIP 18000 LF 112.855 $2,031,390

Fittings @ 15% 1 LS 304708.5 $304,709

Pumping HP 300 EA 1300 $390,000

Mobilization @ 5% 1 LS 136304.925 $136,305

 Subtotal $2,862,403

 

Unlisted Items @ 10% $286,240

 

Contract 

Cost $3,148,644

 

Contingency @ 0% $0

 Field Cost $3,148,644

Engineering Design & Construction Oversight @ 0% $0

 Total Cost = $3,100,000

 

 

 

OPTION 9 - JSSD TANK TO PARK CITY 

2500 AC-FT WEBER BASIN WATER 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs $3,100,000

 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation 58800 $84,001

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation 25015.425 $631,596

Power Present Cost $801,854

Cost of Water 110 $/Ac-Ft $6,705,487

Use of Existing Facilities 500/Ac-Ft 

plus 4%/yr./AcFt $44,504,023

 

 Total Present Worth $55,800,000

 

1/30/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 

No costs included for use of the Weber-Provo Canal or Jordanelle Reservoir. 
A-25

 

OPTION 9 - JSSD TANK TO PARK CITY 

2500 AC-FT WEBER BASIN WATER 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

 Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs $4,200,000

 

Replacement @ 40% of Original Installation $58,800 $84,001

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $25,015 $631,596

Power Present Cost $801,854

Cost of Water 110 $/Ac-Ft $5,918,729

Use of Existing Facilities 500/Ac-Ft 

plus 4%/yr./AcFt $41,734,728

 

JSSD Total Present Worth $53,400,000

 

 

OPTION 9 - LOST CREEK CANYON PIPELINE 

Increase capacity by 2500 ac-ft from 1600 to 4100 ac-ft 

LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 

 

Life Cycle Costs For 2500 Ac-Ft 

Portion Rate 0.031 Present Value 

 Yrs. 50 

Capital Costs Phase 1 $3,354,951

Capital Costs Phase 2 8 $3,974,545 $3,113,279

Capital Costs Phase 3 14 $2,870,504 $1,872,134

 

Transmission Pump Replacement @ 40% of Original 

Installation $370,010 $528,590

At 13, 26, and 39 years 

 Annual 

Pipeline O & M @ 5% of Original Installation $50,001 $1,262,444

Transmission Power Cost $3,670,222

Treatment Cost $161 /Ac-Ft + OM $15,522,461

Note: Treatment costs assumes1200 ac-ft for Irrigation 

Cost of Water 110 $/Ac-Ft $5,918,729

Cost of Existing Facilities (PV) $9,915,284

 

Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline Total Present Worth $45,200,000

 

Option 9 Total Present Worth $98,600,000

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only 
A-26

 Annual Operating Costs at Capacity (does not include capital or replacement costs) 

 

 Option 5 Option 7 

Acre-Feet 5000 8750 12500 2500 5000

Pipeline 

Power $373,588 $670,766 $1,098,835 $156,178 $322,886

($/ac-ft) $75 $77 $88 $62 $65

 

Treatment $804,331 $1,407,580 $2,010,828 $402,166 $804,331

($/ac-ft) $161 $161 $161 $161 $161

Cost of water $800,000 $877,663 $955,325 $275,000 $550,000

($/ac-ft) $160 $100 $76 $110 $110

Maintenance $738,501 $1,151,651 $1,520,201 $351,228 $595,932

($/ac-ft) $148 $132 $122 $140 $119

Total $2,716,964 $4,108,129 $5,585,636 $1,185,045 $2,273,604

($/ac-ft) $543 $470 $447 $474 $455

Table 6-3

Method 1 

New 

Facilities 

Method 2 

All Facilities 

(USBR) 

Method 3 

All Facilities

Method 4 

(Contract 

Cost) 

Method 5 

Cost to 

Supplier 

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline 

(8,750 Ac-Ft)

 

 Capital Costs 

Contract Cost $53,700,000 $76,000,000 $69,300,000 $39,900,000 $132,300,000

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Capacity $6,137 $8,686 $7,920 $4,560 $15,125 

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Delivered $143 $203 $185 $106 $353 

 

Option 5 - East Canyon Pipeline 

(12,500 Ac-Ft) 

 Capital Costs 

Contract Cost $67,300,000 $89,600,000 $82,900,000 $51,400,000 $189,100,000

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Capacity $5,384 $7,168 $6,632 $4,112 $15,125

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Delivered $138 $183 $170 $105 $387 

 

Option 7 - Lost Creek Canyon 

Pipeline (5,000 Ac-Ft) 

 Capital Costs 

Contract Cost $25,500,000 $40,300,000 $37,800,000 $19,000,000 $92,100,000

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Capacity $5,100 $8,060 $7,560 $3,800 $18,420 

Contract Cost per Ac-Ft Delivered $112 $176 $165 $83 $403 

 

2/23/2006 

Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option 

comparisons only 
A-27

 Option 3 Water Reuse Option 4 Provo River (JSSD) Option 8 Weber Provo Canal Option 9 L.C., W.P. Canal Capacity (Acre-feet) 3600 500 8750 12500 5000 5000 5000 Capital Cost of New Facilities Contract Cost $14,200,000 $2,000,000 $39,900,000 $51,400,000 $19,000,000 $5,400,000 $10,800,000 Field Cost $17,000,000 $2,400,000 $47,900,000 $61,700,000 $22,800,000 $6,400,000 $12,900,000 Total Cost $19,100,000 $2,700,000 $53,700,000 $67,300,000 $25,500,000 $7,200,000 $14,400,000 Contract Cost per Acre-foot Capacity $3,944 $4,000 $4,560 $4,112 $3,800 $1,080 $2,160 Capital Cost per Acre-foot Capacity $5,306 $5,400 $6,137 $5,384 $5,100 $1,440 $2,880 Life Cycle Cost (Present Value) New Facilities Capital Cost (PV) $19,100,000 $2,700,000 $51,800,000 $62,000,000 $22,300,000 $7,200,000 $12,500,000 O,M&R $12,400,000 $600,000 $67,100,000 $83,700,000 $37,900,000 $2,700,000 $22,500,000 Cost of Water $0 $0 $19,100,000 $20,000,000 $11,800,000 $11,800,000 $11,800,000 Total Cost $31,450,000 $3,300,000 $138,000,000 $165,800,000 $72,100,000 $21,700,000 $44,200,000 Use of Existing Facilities Sunk Capital Costs $750,000 $0 $15,600,000 $15,600,000 $12,300,000 $0 $9,900,000 Use of Facilities Charges $0 $15,300,000 $0 $0 $0 $83,500,000 $44,500,000 Total Life Cycle Cost $32,200,000 $18,600,000 $153,600,000 $181,400,000 $84,400,000 $105,200,000 $98,600,000 Life Cycle Cost Per Acre-foot Delivered $179 $744 $410 $371 $369 $460 $431 2/28/2006 TOTAL LIFE CYCLE COSTS Costs are appraisal level and are to be used for option comparisons only Option 5 East Canyon Pipeline Option 7 Lost Creek Canyon Pipeline