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Show • The total agricultural water supply for an average year is estimated to be 143,000 acre- feet. Only about 126,500 acre- feet was diverted in 1995. About 3,000 acre- feet of that amount is supplied from groundwater. 5.4.3 Wetland and Riparian Use Water- related land- use data developed by the Division of Water Resources indicates there are about 43,100 acres of wet meadows, marsh lands and open water areas on the valley floor. Most of these wetlands are situated along the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake. They are developed and managed by either public agencies or private entities ( duck clubs) to enhance wildlife habitat. The net evapotranspiration from these developed wetland areas is estimated to be 94,500 acre- feet per year. The water supply comes through a number of well- established water rights, primarily surface water flows directly from the Jordan River. 5.4.4 Instream Flow Requirements Maintaining a minimum flow in a stream for fishery habitat has not been historically acknowledged as a beneficial use of the state's water resources. In recent years, however, it has not only gained acceptance but it can now be established under legislative authority. No minimum instream flows are required for the Jordan River or its tributaries. Although releases to satisfy down stream rights, return irrigation flows and unused agricultural water flows make it doubtful any instream flow requirements will be needed for the Jordan River, the Salt Lake City Watershed Management Plan does recommend instream flow requirements be established for Wasatch Range mountain streams to preserve aesthetic and ecological values. See Section 6, Management. 5.4.6 Hydropower The use of water to generate hydropower is a non- consumptive use that can also be relatively non- polluting. Because the amount of hydropower that can be developed is a function of the change in elevation, hydropower facilities are usually associated with dams or other diversion structures and often result in the de- watering of a section of a stream. Utah Power generates power from facilities on Big Cottonwood Creek while Murray City generates power from a hydro- power plant on Little Cottonwood Creek. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC) issues licenses for hydropower projects. Licensees are required to mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife resources. This often involves an obligation to maintain a minimum flow in the portion of the stream below the diversion. See Section 18 for more information. • |
