Transcript Reservoir Development Update Region K Meeting July 11, 2012 Karen Bondy, P.E. Manager of Resource Strategy.

Reservoir
Development Update
Region K Meeting
July 11, 2012
Karen Bondy, P.E.
Manager of Resource Strategy
1
New Water Supply Goal
• 100,000 ac-ft/yr by 2017
• Reduce interruptible demands on Highland
Lakes
• Improve agricultural water reliability
• Improve agricultural water efficiency
• Reduce risk of firm water curtailment
2
Development Strategy
• 3 Critical Drivers
100,000 ac-ft/yr
In 5 years
No rate increase
• Effect on Development Strategy
Maximize use of existing assets
Minimize construction of new facilities
Minimize environmental and water rights
permitting
3
LCRA’s Current Water Sources
Total Conservation Capacity- 2.1 Mafy
4
Maximum Interruptible Water Supply1.5 Mafy
Existing LCRA Assets
• Lower basin senior water rights
• Irrigation division pump stations* and
canals
• Baylor Creek land and storage rights
• Excess flows water right (5731)
• Pierce Ranch land option
• Lake Bastrop land and groundwater
* May require substantial repairs/upgrades
5
Lower Basin Map
Austin
Lake Bastrop
Colorado River
Fayette Power Project — 38,101 AFY
Environmental Flow
Commitment (2010 WMP)
33,440 AFY
Lakeside
Garwood
Pierce
Ranch
Underground
Services Markham
12,327 AFY
River Pump Station
Firm Customer
(AFY = Acre-feet per year)
STP
40,000 AFY
Gulf Coast
Oxea
3,222 AFY
Total Combined Storage in Lakes Buchanan and Travis
Millions of Acre-feet
2.5
1997
FLOOD
1957
FLOOD
3.0
2007
FLOOD
2002
FLOOD
1991
FLOOD
1952
FLOOD
2.0
1.5
1.0
Sept. 2009
39% Full
Oct. 1984
0.5
0.0
1940
Full Storage (2.01 MAF)
Sept. 1952
Sept. 1964
31% Full
32% Full
1945
1950
1955
1960
41% Full
Average (1.67 MAF)
Combined Storage (MAF)
1965
1970
1975
1980
Sep 30, 1940 to Jan 28, 2011
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
Water Availability Results
• 100,000 ac-ft/yr available in lower basin
• Requires diverting and storing to “firm up”
• Adequate pumping capacity at Lakeside,
Garwood and Gulf Coast
• ~70,000 ac-ft of storage required
• New reservoirs can meet 100,000 ac-ft/yr
goal
8
Two Potential Configurations
• Reservoirs in irrigation divisions only
2 to 4 reservoirs
Utilize existing pumps and canals
Requires construction of reservoirs and outlet
facilities
• Baylor Creek plus irrigation divisions
Requires reservoirs and new pump station,
pumps and piping for Baylor Creek reservoir
Also requires water supply (water rights) for
Baylor Creek diversion
9
STP Pump Station
10
Water Rights Summary
Permit Terms
Baylor
Creek
Lakeside Garwood
Gulf
Coast
Excess Flows
(5731)
Muni, Ag and
Industrial Use
Use Outside
Division
Storage
Bed and Banks
Transport
Available Water
Supply
**
Permit Amendment Needed
Permit Terms Already in Place
**Need to amend downstream water right
to add point of diversion at Baylor Creek
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Next Steps
• Optimize irrigation division reservoir size/location
• Develop construction requirements, capital and
operating cost estimates for all options
• Determine if groundwater is cheaper alternative
• Develop water rights and environmental
permitting strategies
• Prepare project recommendation for Board by
end of year
12
Recap
• Only source of water for new reservoirs is
LCRA’s lower basin water rights
 Will require permit amendments
• Reservoirs can meet 100,000 ac-ft/yr goal
 Groundwater might be cheaper alternative
• Construction requirements:
All options need reservoir and outlet facilities
Baylor Creek also needs water supply, pump
station and piping to plant (~ 4 miles)
13
Questions
&
Discussion
14