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Bridging-the-Headgate in Wyoming
Reclamation in Wyoming
The State of Wyoming is primarily served the Wyoming Area Office headquartered in Mills, Wyoming. The southwestern corner of the state is covered by the Provo Area Office in Utah, and a small portion along the western boundary is served by the Snake River Area Office in Boise (see map, and table of contacts below).
Wyoming Partnering Activities
The Western States Water Council, the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) co-sponsored a symposium on Water Conservation and Use of Conserved Waters in Casper, Wyoming on July 12-14, 2000. The meeting focused on state and federal statutes, policies and programs that initiate, influence, or provide incentives for saving water in the western region of the United States. An additional focus was to highlight successful state water conservation activities and innovations in state laws and policies that affect water management. Tools, policies and programs that enhance partnering and foster cooperation in addressing future water needs through conservation were also addressed. A summary of the presentations and activities of this symposium are available here.
A group representing Wyoming’s water interests met in October 2001 and again on January 2002 to discuss the relevance of the “Bridging the Headgate” concept for the State of Wyoming. As a result of discussions at this meeting a project was initiated to compile information about current water activities and projects. The project was funded by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC). This project produced a statewide database of water related activities including recent, current, and on-going water quantity and water quality projects. The database is posted on the WWDC website.
Water Conservation Program
The WWDC and Wyoming State Engineer's Office, in partnership with Reclamation, initiated development of water conservation program for the state beginning in August 1998. The purpose of the effort was to develop options for a water conservation program with targets of addressing water conservation practices, investigating strategies, evaluating methodology, analysis of implementation ramifications, evaluation of impacts and identification of sources of assistance.
The water conservation program has since developed a directory of assistance programs available to water users and the public. There are presently 24 participating local, state and federal agencies and organizations that provide educational, technical, financial, planning and policy assistance to water users and the public in pursuing voluntary water management and conservation implementation. This directory provides agency or organization contact information, programs, and technical and financial assistance available to Wyoming water users. The directory will provide an excellent tool for agencies or organizations interested in leveraging program assistance or finding Bridging the Headgate” partners to work or potentially pool resources with as they address water related issues and concerns. The March 2005, 3rd Edition, of “Water Management & Conservation Program Directory” is available for viewing or download from the WWDC website.
Sand Mesa Gravity Irrigation Pipeline
In 1999, Wyoming, Reclamation's Wyoming Area Office worked with Midvale Irrigation District (MID), Lower Wind River Natural Resource District, NRCS, and Wyoming Water Development Commission 
to complete an eleven-mile gravity-pressure pipeline that serves over 4,000 irrigated acres within MID. Reclamation performed the initial feasibility study, prepared the Environmental Assessment, and reviewed and approved system modifications. The pipeline design was prepared by NRCS, and funding for construction was provided by MID and WWDC. The project is projected to conserve over 22,000 acre-feet of water annually. Farmers served by the system no longer have to pump water to operate pivot sprinkler systems, thus reducing their irrigation operating costs. More pictures and a brief write-up about the project are located at the following NRCS web site.
Feasibilty Study
WWDC funded the feasibility study for an active project with the Midvale Irrigation District (MID). This project is currently underway in Hidden Valley. It involves a gravity pressure system designed to replace a canal delivery system. There will be approximately 8 miles of pipeline installed to replace an existing earthen canal. Approximately 2100 acres of irrigated crop and hay land will benefit from this project. In addition water no longer lost in the canal system will be available for other uses. NRCS is currently involved in preparing final plans and designs. WWDC is providing partial funding for the mainline. In conjunction with delivery system upgrades, NRCS and Lower Wind River Natural Resource District will provide engineering plans and designs for on farm irrigation systems, and provide incentive payments to producers through the EQIP Program.
Reclamation, Wyoming Area Office worked with NRCS and University of Nebraska, Panhandle Research and Extension Center to develop and implement a surge valve loaner program. The study collected farm delivery and drainage data to monitor effectiveness of surge valve utilization in on-farm demonstrations. Efforts were initiated in 1998 to inform irrigators about the program, and in 1999, field demonstrations were conducted. The study was concluded in 2001.
WINFLUME
Reclamation, Wyoming Area Office supplied Nebraska, NRCS with Reclamation's WINFLUME software for use in design of long-throated flumes. A workshop, co-sponsored by Reclamation and NRCS, was held in February 2000. This workshop provided training on the use of WINFLUME software for design of ramp flumes, and provided information on a number of additional water measurement instruments, and methods. New technology including remote monitoring of flow measurement, and remote gate monitoring and control were also discussed. Personnel from NRCS, North Platte Natural Resource District, and local irrigation districts participated.
Open Lines of Communication
In 2001 a Bridging-the-Headgate meeting was held in Wyoming involving the Wyoming State Engineers Office, NRCS, Wyoming Water Development, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, Reclamation, and three local irrigation districts. At the meeting open lines of communication were established by cooperating groups. In follow-up there is currently an active project involving NRCS, WWDC, Reclamation, and Eden Valley Irrigation and Drainage District to install irrigation pipelines on Big Sandy Irrigation Project (Colorado River Salinity Project) to replace earth canals that are losing water.
