13-50 AGUA - Grant Request

• Applicant: Arkansas Groundwater Users Association
• Grant Type: Severance Tax
• Fiscal Year ‎(i.e. 2008)‎: 2013
• Project Name: Agricultural Emergency Drought Response
• CWCB Section: Finance
• Contract/PO #: 13-50
• Grants - Doc Type: Supporting Documentation

ARKANSAS aROUNDWATER USERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 11446 Pueblo, CO 81001 ph:(719)- 948 -2150 fax:[phone]
Scott Brazil, President Keith Beattie, Vice - President John Sliman, Secretary/Treasurer
Sam Fosdick, Director Dr. Charles Durbin, Director
Purpose of the Grant:
The normal operation of AGUA'S augmentation plan can be described as follows; in
February of each year we calculate the projected depletions from member pumping, make
projections of yield on our dedicated water rights, then take the difference in those
numbers and enter into water leases with several entities in an attempt to fully supply our
member's requests.
We submitted our 2012/13 augmentation plan to the State Engineer's Office on February
28, 2012. At the time current snowpack levels were at approximately 81% of normal.
Over the next several months' snowpack levels dropped precipitously. By mid -April
snowpack was 56% of normal. In June we realized that there would be no spring runoff
this year. This lack of runoff coupled with a continued lack of precipitation has
significantly affected our water supplies.
The AGUA sources that have been affected by the drought are:
1. The Excelsior Ditch — Average yield - 1412 acre -feet, 2012 yield - 0 acre -feet
2. Catlin Canal shares- Average yield - 212 acre -feet, 2012 yield — 47 acre -feet
3. Frying -pan Project water —Projected yield- 1326 acre -feet, 2012 yield - 1119 acre -feet
Total decrease in these 3 sources —1784 acre -feet
As a result of the decreases we have obtained additional replacement supplies. We have
increased our normal leases with both Colorado Springs Utilities(CSU) and The Board of
Water Works of Pueblo(PBWW) CSU increased by 602 acre -feet and PBWW increased
by 852 acre -feet. We entered into a lease in July with The City of Salida for 50 acre -feet.
We have also entered into tentative agreements with Donala Water and Sanitation, and
Tri -View Metro District to provide an additional 280 acre -feet over the remainder of
2012. The financial burden to AGUA from the leases will be $111,341.12.
An integral part of the preparation and operation of our augmentation plan is the
engineering associated with it. To date AGUA has incurred $743.45 in additional
engineering expenses and expects to incur approximately $500 more by year end directly
tied to the drought.
As you can see from the provided financial materials AGUA operates on a tight annual
budget. This is a reflection of our member's ability to pay. While the financial effects of
the drought are just now starting to be felt, the reality of the situation is that this financial
burden is being compounded by the current economic environment. If approved, this
grant request will allow us to finalize water lease agreements with Donala, and Tri -View
which in turn will help our members finish 2012 crops. More importantly it will help
buffer some of the increase in cost to our members at a time when they themselves are
struggling.