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Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 8 <br /> May 16, 2025 <br /> quantifying wells that have not pumped recently, and likely will not be pumping going <br /> forward. The team will also need to measure the Dockum aquifer, which has not been <br /> looked at closely in the past, with little information available to draw from. <br /> Mr. Glen Frihauf, reporting for the North Kiowa Bijou GWMD, was not in attendance <br /> and no report was provided. <br /> Mr. Dave Doran, reporting for the Upper Black Squirrel GWMD, was not in attendance <br /> and no report was provided. <br /> Ms. Tracy Doran, reporting for the Upper Big Sandy GWMD, was not in attendance and <br /> no report was provided. <br /> Mr. Andy Jones, in place of Mr. Thomas Sauter, reporting for the Lost Creek GWMD, <br /> provided some preliminary data on the 5-year well monitoring program that has been <br /> recorded. Mr. Jones showed the Commission a graphic of year-over-year water level <br /> measurements taken from wells in the District. The wells are electronically measured <br /> and calibrated, so the data is believed to be fairly accurate. Mr. Jones pointed out <br /> that the data indicates areas with large irrigation wells and wells converted to <br /> municipal purposes may be causing considerable declines in the aquifer water levels, <br /> with preliminary data showing these wells are drawing down aquifer water levels <br /> faster than anticipated. Provisions that allow banking may also be a contributing <br /> factor to the water level declines. Mr. Jones concluded his report by mentioning the <br /> district is working to collect measurement data from water users exporting water as <br /> part of the monitoring program. <br /> Ms. Kosloff then asked Mr. Jones if the declines noted above are believed to be <br /> primarily caused by wells that have been changed to municipal use. <br /> Mr. Jones responded that it is too soon for a conclusion to be made, but noted that <br /> the water level declines may be exacerbated by wells that have been changed from <br /> irrigation use to municipal use. However, it is still an open question, and the district is <br /> continuing to monitor ground water levels and record data. Mr. Jones also noted that <br /> there are some water level monitors in the Laramie-Fox Hills aquifer, and the District <br /> is also working to better understand trends in this aquifer. <br /> Mr. Pautler asked Mr. Jones if well owners that change their permitted uses to <br /> municipal are limited to the historical amounts pumped. <br /> Mr. Jones responded that yes, these wells are limited to their historical consumptive <br /> use amounts. Mr. Jones also mentioned that the timing of withdrawal and banking <br /> provisions could be impacting the aquifer differently compared to when these wells <br /> were used for irrigation. <br /> Mr. Scott Tietmeyer, reporting for Upper Crow Creek GWMD, reported that the <br /> District Rules Committee is ready to submit their draft rules to the Board. Public input <br />