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Need for the Project The Toyne Farm own in their wells what is considered a very junior water right. There are numerous downstream ditches and the Interstate Compact with Nebraska which all have senior water rights to the Toyne wells. Some of these rights are close to 100 years senior to their wells. The Toyne Farm does have ties to ditch and reservoir water but not ant direct ties to augmentation water for their 8 wells. This position would be considered typical when looking at irrigated farms in the lower end of the South Platte River. Having wells for irrigation requires that the depletions from the pumping of the Toyne wells be replaced during times when there is a "call" on the river by a senior downstream water right. GASP has successfully been used for the past 30 years to cover the depletions on these wells. GASP operates on a year to year basis with no guarantee of continued coverage. The current drought has brought to the foreground just how difficult it is to provide adequate augmentation for well users. GASP has even indicated to its members that if the drought continues well pumping maybe curtailed this summer. Glen Toyne wants to develop a recharge system that will generate augmentation water to be used to offset the depletions caused by their 8 wells. By generating their own augmentation the Toyne farm can protect themselves from possible curtailment and help GASP strengthen its coverage in the same area of the river. Glenn Toyne has numerous neighbors who have successfully created recharge systems used to produce augmentation water. These neighbors served as "inspiration" to the Toyne farm on how to address their concerns about augmentation. The two most recognized neighbors are Bill Condon and the State's own Tamarack Ranch. See pages 4 and 5 for photos of these two successful recharge systems. Feasibility Study Glenn Toyne Recharge Project February 2003 2