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. '" ., "",'~ lHI to ',' November 27, 1992 Issue No. 967 WESTERN STATES WATER TIIE WEEKLY NEWSLEITER OF TIIE.WESTERN STAlES WAlER COUNCIL editor - Tony Willardson Creekview Plaza, SUite A-201 I 942 East 7145 So. I Midvale, Utah 84047 I (801) 561-53(lCr'l FAX (801) 255-9642 typist Carrie Curvin WATER RESOURCES Drought/Water Supply Outlook . Late October and November have brought needed precipitation to some parts of the West, but as measured by the Palmer Index, severe to extreme drought conditions persist in most of Washington. Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, western Montana, northern Nevada, western Utah, and parts of North Dakota. The index shows only moderate drought conditions in central and southern California. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and other areas have above average moisture. While the Palmer Index accounts for precipitation, soil moisture, and other important climatological and hydrologic parameters, it does not take into account reservoir storage. Runoff and reservoir storage also define the available western water supply. Next summer's supplies will be a product of this winter's snowfall, and spring rains and runoff. Many western watersheds are extremely dry due to several years of drought, which will significantly reduce runoff. Moreover, reservoir carryover storage from 1992 will be substantially less than the historical average for much of the West. Without above average seasonal precipitation, many parts of the West will face continuing shortages. In California, storage in 155 major reservoirs is projected to be 12.67M acre-feet, or 56% of the historic average. Only in 1977 did California's major reservoirs hold less water, with 7.78M acre-feet. . Reportedly, the first of $30M in emergency drought relief funds, approved by the President and appropriated by Congress should reach the Bureau of Reclamation's regional offices soon for previously approved projects. These funds may be expended only for emergency drought-related projects. chairman - Da~e Kennedy executive director - Craig Bell Financing/North Dakota Last year, by executiVe qrder, North Dakota Governor George, SinQer created a Water Strategy Task Force to examine developing the state's share of the Missouri River, as well as other cr~ical water quality and quantity concerns in rural and urban areas, including funding needs. The Task Force included State Engineer and WSWC member Dave Sprynczynatyk, and his predecessor, Vern Fahy. According to Sprynczynatyk, 'The state must move to redistribute water from the Missouri River where 96% of the available surface water exists.... If North Dakota fails to claim its share of this water, our children - and all future generations - will forever be denied the option of using that water to build a greater, more prosperous North Dakota.' Fahy adds, 'Not only does North Dakota need to distribute Missouri water..., but it also must set up a revolving fund...to help commllnities cope with the higher costs of providing decent water to their citizens.... Over 100...water systems have applications totaling over $500 million for assistance.... Many more North Dakota communities will soon face a cr~ical need for new water sources as the federal government enforces tougher and tougher clean water provisions.' Financing the development of several projects as outlined by the task force was estimated to require an annual appropriation of about $22M. To raise this money, the task force recommended a one-quarter percent sales tax increase, a 5% corporate income tax surcharge, and a 1 % increase in the individual income tax rate. Revenue would help pay for completion of the Garrison Diversion Project, Southwest Pipeline Project, Mid-Dakota Reservoir. and other important projects. The money would be deposited in the State Water Commission's contract fund and a water supply development fund. The Task Force estimated the benefits of the projects