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<br />Need for the Project <br /> <br />The LDC own in their wells what is considered a very junior water <br />right. There are numerous downstream ditches, a reservoir, and <br />the Interstate Compact with Nebraska which all have senior water <br />rights to the LDC wells. Some of these rights are more than 50 <br />years senior to their wells. The LDC uses their wells as a <br />supplemental supply to their ditch water. The LDC does not have <br />ties to any reservoir water. Having wells for irrigation requires <br />that the depletions from the pumping of the LDC wells be replaced <br />during times when there is a "call" on the river by a senior <br />downstream water right. GASP has successfully been used for the <br />past 30 years to cover the depletions on these wells. GASP <br />operates on a year to year basis with no guarantee of continued <br />coverage. The current drought has brought to the foreground just <br />how difficult it is to provide adequate augmentation for well <br />users. GASP has even indicated to its members that if the drought <br />continues well pumping maybe curtailed next year. <br /> <br />The LDC wants to develop a recharge system that will generate <br />augmentation water to be used to offset the depletions caused by <br />their 13 wells. By generating their own augmentation the LDC can <br />protect themselves from possible curtailment and help GASP <br />strengthen its coverage in the same area of the river. The LDC <br />has two neighbors who have successfully created recharge systems <br />used to produce augmentation water. These neighbors served as <br />"inspiration" to the LDC on how address their concerns about <br />augmentation. The two neighbors mentioned are the Bravo Ditch <br />Company and the State's own Tamarack Ranch. See photos, pages 4 <br />and 5. <br /> <br />Feasibility Study <br />Lowline Ditch Company <br />Recharge Project <br />December 2002 <br /> <br />2 <br />