To protect existing users, the district board needed credible information to petition for correction of discrepancies between water rights and actual uses. Also, the District needed accurate maps of irrigated lands cross referenced to ownership in order to make accurate assessments. This project served several purposes. The District was able to identify discrepancies between irrigated lands and water rights, and has petitioned the Board of Control for corrections. The District also found irrigated lands within the district that were not being assessed, and water rights that were unused.
Managers can now assess District members according to actual irrigated lands and land ownership.
District boundaries may also be revised to improve management of resources. Verifying the current relationships between water use, water rights and irrigation district assessment is a valuable tool for the Smiths Fork District. District operations are more efficient and managers know that records at the State Engineer's Office are current and reflect actual water use patterns. Requires a minimum of 800x600 resolution, frames and javascript capability. These comparisons of irrigated acres and water rights were done at the invitation of the water rights holders, in an effort to improve district operations and as a demonstration of the value of GIS technology to local water users.