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Show Since 1947 a few reservoirs have been constructed on the mountain streams and in the Jordan River Basin to facilitate the development of water resources. See Table 6- 1 for a listing of existing reservoirs. Other past water development projects included the construction of canals, canal lining, culinary water systems, culinary water storage tanks and ponds, and waste water treatment facilities. Over the years the Board of Water Resources has provided technical assistance and funding for 36 projects in the Jordan River Basin totaling nearly $ 20 million. These projects are listed in Table 9- 1. Table 8- 1 shows a breakdown of the loaned amounts by fund. 9.2.2 Current Water Planning and Development Most of the present water planning carried out by the state is through the Division of Water Resources. The division recently completed the Wasatch Front Water Demand/ Supply Model ( WFCM). To date, it is the most thorough investigation of the existing and future water supplies in the Jordan River Basin. The objective of the model was to improve the accuracy and geographic resolution of water demand projections for the rapidly growing four urban counties which are part of the Wasatch Front ( Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties). The key objective of the effort was to make accurate water demand projections and match existing and future supplies with needs over time. The WFCM is used to make forecasts for specific geographic areas and water use sectors, and has the flexibility to analyze a range of possible future patterns. The model is interactive and is designed specifically to aid water agency managers to effectively forecast future needs, design water system facility improvements, and evaluate the impacts of drought and other conditions on the water systems. The WFCM was not only used to forecast future water use; it was the basis for the present water use data shown in Section 5 and Table 9- 2. The present water use data generated by the WFCM are for the year 1995. Present water use and supply data and future water needs shown in this section were taken from the model. The water supply shown in Table 9- 2, consists of public water supplies which makes up the bulk of the municipal and industrial ( M& I) water throughout the valley. It includes all water made available through the public water supply systems. These public water supplies are used for residential, commercial/ institutional and industrial uses. The public water supply comes from nine sources: City Creek, Parley's Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek, Little Cottonwood Creek, other small mountain streams, Welby- Jacob Exchange, Central Utah Project, Deer Creek Reservoir, and groundwater. Table 9- 2 shows the average annual supply and the reliable supply for nine out of 10 years. For planning purposes, the reliable supply for nine out of 10 years is often considered as the firm yield. 9.2.3 Environmental Considerations Too often in the past, water has been viewed as a commodity for human use and consumption with little thought to the impact its development will have upon the environment. In today's world, instream flows and water quality issues are as essential to good planning and development as any other issue, and should be considered early and often in the planning process. Although no instream flow requirements have been established within the Jordan River Basin, several private and public bird refuges along the shores of the Great Salt Lake have established water rights. Currently these water rights insure that water flows continually in the Jordan River and many of its tributaries. 9.3 Water Resource Problems The water resources problems include water quality, meeting future M& I needs, groundwater mining, groundwater contamination, maintaining the existing infrastructure and flooding. The trend of converting agricultural land to residential areas has freed up irrigation water for other uses. It is likely this trend will continue. Unfortunately, the irrigation water being made available is Utah Lake and Jordan River water which is of poor quality and very expensive to treat for M& I use. The groundwater problems include concerns for groundwater quality and quantity. Both of these issues are addressed by the State Engineer through the Salt Lake County Groundwater Management Plan. In particular, the state has imposed restrictions upon new well permits. This action is aimed at protecting the principal aquifer from over- development and contamination. Refer to Section 19 for more information. 9- 2 |