SEPTEMBER 12TH 2023 WESTERN DAKOTA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM
annual report
How We Create A Sustainable Water-Secure Future For Western South Dakota
WESTERN DAKOTA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM
GREETINGS Water and Western South Dakota Thank you for picking up the Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) Annual Report. WDRWS is a collaborative effort that includes Tribal, community water system, and governmental leaders who agree a successful future for western South Dakota depends on access to abundant, quality water. We thank the South Dakota 2023 Legislature and Board of Water and Natural Resources for approving a $1 million State Water Resources Management System (SWRMS) grant. The grant is in addition to $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded to WDRWS by the 2022 Legislature and Board. WDRWS began welcoming members in 2023. To date, new memberships and local support contributions exceed $300,000! These contributions provide operational support and the
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necessary matching funds to access the $1 million SWRMS grant. We are grateful for the support of all our members, who are working together to ensure clean, plentiful water for the people of western South Dakota. (See the back cover for a complete member/contributor list and page 8 to find out how you can become a member.) WDRWS hopes to deliver bulk water to systems across western South Dakota. Over the past year we’ve focused on outreach and collaboration with more than 350 water systems
to learn more about their current capabilities and future needs. Thank you for your participation! These meetings are beneficial as we continue to develop a cooperative project with the goal of conserving the water we have and providing a clean water source for all our citizens, now and in the future. Building on our canvassing efforts, discussions about optimizing water infrastructure investments within small geographic areas holds promise for both near-term and long-term benefits should future water delivery from the Missouri River come to fruition. On the topic of efficient use of infrastructure, the WDRWS Board directed its engineering consultants to review multiple options for an intake on the Missouri River. One option involves the utilization of a more than 50-year-old facility
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at the Oahe Dam that was planned for the Oahe Irrigation Project that was scrapped in the 1970s. The feasibility of each of the options is being analyzed to gain a better understanding of the potential paths forward. The WDRWS Board, staff, and consultants are committed to finding the most cost-effective and efficient methods to bring Missouri River water to western South Dakota. Thank you for engaging with us about WDRWS. We hope you find the information contained in the Annual Report interesting and informative. We invite you to get involved in this historic project that will benefit western South Dakota for generations to come. Dale Tech, PE WDRWS Board President Cheryl Chapman, Ph.D, PE Executive Director
WDRWS.ORG
Meet the Board Members Dale Tech, President Public Works Director, City of Rapid City
Doug Curry, Secretary/Treasurer Public Works Director, City of Box Elder
Jake Fitzgerald Manager, West River/ Lyman Jones Rural Water System
Mayor Teresa Hall Mayor, City of New Underwood
Nick Broyles, Public Works Director, City of Spearfish
What’s This? Quick answer: A QR Code. Better answer: A scannable mark that you will see throughout the book, giving you access to even more information. On both iPhones and Androids, open the camera app, hover over the QR code and wait for the URL to become clickable.
WESTERN DAKOTA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM
201 Main Street Suite 104 Rapid City, SD 57701 PO Box 484 Rapid City, SD 57709 605-519-7333 In association with
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Stewardship
CONSERVATION the projected water demand graphic for Pennington County to reflect the 2020 to 2022 population growth of 2.25% to 2.75% annually. The updated graph (below) shows that under extreme drought conditions, demand in Pennington County could exceed the available water supply as early as 2060. As the WDRWS team speaks about water needs with water systems and other organizations throughout western South Dakota, conservation is a recurrent topic. It arises from the perspectives of: 1) the need
A goal, a practice and a responsibility. What role will this tool play as population is projected to increase?
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study its Future Use Permit and the need for additional Missouri River water in Pennington County. The results highlighted the need and became the impetus for formation of the WDRWS. Dr. Kurt Katzenstein of SD Mines recently updated
Historic and Projected Water Demand Based on Projected Population Pennington County, SD HISTORIC
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PROJECTED
Credit: South Dakota Mines (2019, 2023)
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WATER DEMAND/AVAILABILITY (CFS)
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n the United States, approximately 60% of the average individual’s water footprint comes from irrigating lawns or other landscaping features. Three decades ago, the average daily water footprint per person in Rapid City was 168 gallons. Recognizing the high usage rate, the City took conservation actions to decrease the rate by approximately 21 gallons per day per person. Over the past 30 years, that decreasing water footprint has added up and has contributed to the overall water security of Rapid City. Despite successful efforts to incentivize conservation and decrease per capita usage, western South Dakota is still at risk of a critical water shortage. In 2019, West Dakota Water Development District commissioned the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SD Mines) to
Projected Demand (2023): Continued Growth at Current Pace
Wet Conditions
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Average Conditions Projected Demand (2019): Average Growth
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Extended Drought Conditions 20
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YEAR Historic Demand
Projected Demand (2019)
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Potential Water Shortages Under Extended Below Average Precipitation
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RESOURCES
FINANCIAL REPORT to change water use practices to minimize demands and alternative water supply costs, and 2) the overall responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources. Developing a right-sized solution for alternative water supply for western South Dakota is important to the WDRWS, and conservation will play a critical role. Dale Tech, Public Works Director for Rapid City and President of WDRWS had this to say about use of the Missouri River to meet critical water needs: “If you look at the water cycle, the runoff from surface water from not only the Black Hills but all of western South Dakota mostly ends up in the Missouri River. So it makes perfect sense for us to keep reutilizing that resource by piping it back here for beneficial use. That’s recycling at its largest magnitude.” Conservation is a useful and essential tool in meeting future water supply needs. SD Mines Adjunct Professor Mark Anderson, a collaborator on the 2019 SD Mines study, says, “There’s no question the area is going to need more water. It makes sense to be good stewards of the water we have. Conservation should be an important part of the overall strategy.”
WDRWS.ORG
Western Dakota Regional Water System Statement of Cash Basis Financial Position December 31, 2022 ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents TOTAL ASSETS CASH BASIS NET ASSETS Unrestricted TOTAL CASH BASIS NET ASSETS
$ 57,335.58 $ 57,335.58 $ 57,335.58 $ 57,335.58
RECEIPTS Public Support $ 183,500.00 DISBURSEMENTS Insurance Expenses 2,002.00 Contractual Services – Executive Director 2021-2022 52,206.30 Contractual Services – Legal Fees 27,014.65 Meetings and Conferences 19,759.48 Contractual Services – Administration 26,587.99 Contractual Services – Project Management 6,788.67 Memberships and Dues 3,750.00 Advertising 2,787.50 Travel 2,400.04 Printing 106.50 Miscellaneous 318.23 Total Disbursements 143,721.36 CHANGE IN CASH 39,778.64 CASH – BEGINNING 17,556.94 CASH – ENDING $ 57,335.58 Casey Peterson, LTD, CPAs, provide accounting services for Western Dakota Regional Water System
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Expertise & Community
Spearfish: Just Below The Surface
Spearfish’s water is what first brought people to this pristine area. Today, the water supply of Spearfish and its future looks bright as leaders look to diversify the water portfolio of their town.
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he city of Spearfish takes its striking name from the practice of the Lakota and other groups who “speared” fish in the fast-f lowing waters of Spearfish Creek. Originally called Queen City when it was established in 1876, the settlement’s location in a broad valley was more conducive to agriculture than mining. The town served an important need by supplying the miners working claims in Lead, Deadwood and other mining camps with food. While other mining communities experienced boom-and-bust periods, Spearfish prospered as a result of a diverse economy that focused on agriculture and commerce; irrigated farming, cattle ranching, dairy processing, logging, milling and retail were all thriving enterprises that made the town an attractive destination. Today, Spearfish is a community of approximately 12,000 full time
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Nick Broyles is the Public Works Director of Spearfish. He also serves on the board of WDRWS.
residents, with the population spiking during the school year with the students of Black Hills State returning to campus.
Connected to water
The history of Spearfish — both yesterday and today — is deeply connected to water. Water brought the first people to the area and water continues to sustain the people of this community. Spearfish Creek is the namesake of the town, and this stream is the most visible water feature in the area. But much of the true nature of this remarkable creek goes unseen, below the surface. Spearfish Creek, like other surface waters of western South Dakota, is interconnected to the underground aquifers of the region, namely the Madison Aquifer. This expansive system of underground water spans across Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Several communities in each of these states and provinces depend on the waters of the Madison Aquifer to sustain their residents.
Diversifying for the future
“Spearfish’s water supply currently relies on seven wells in the Madison Aquifer,” explained Nick Broyles, the Public Works Director of the City of Spearfish. “By the end of 2025, two additional Madison Aquifer wells will have been added to Spearfish’s water supply.” The Madison and the region’s other aquifer, the Minnelusa, are adequate to maintain the needs of
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Special thanks to the community of Spearfish for hosting the 2023 WDRWS Annual Meeting.
Spearfish Creek, like other surface water in western South Dakota, is interconnected to the system of underground water below the surface.
current users — but projections of the capacities of these aquifers suggest that community leaders may need to consider shoring up these resources. As the populations of the communities of western South Dakota increase and are projected to continue to do so, the capacities of aquifers are being examined with careful calculations. Increased demand for water through population growth and reduced aquifer capacity caused by drought are two variables that are at the forefront of most municipalities and rural communities.
WDRWS.ORG
For those reasons and others, Spearfish City Council voted to become a member of the Western Dakota Regional Water System. “The WDRWS will provide an opportunity to diversify our water supply and aid in meeting the water supply needs for our current population and anticipated future growth,” Broyles said. “Diversifying our water supply will help make our system more resilient to challenges such as unexpected, sustained drought.” A diverse portfolio of water, Broyles and others believe, is a key part of a sustainable future.
Miraculous Famous Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once visited the Spearfish area and was astonished by its breathtaking features. He later commented that it was a shame that people typically talk more about the Grand Canyon than Spearfish Canyon, calling the local canyon “even more miraculous” than Arizona’s most wellknown geological feature.
Water on display Spearfish Canyon’s winding roads are dotted with breathtaking views of waterfalls and streams. The canyon features countless trails, including Roughlock Falls and local favorites like Devil’s Bathtub, Community Caves, and Eleventh Hour Gulch.
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Being a member. Being involved. Individuals and water systems of any size are able to support the work of WDRWS. The membership and support structure allows a variety of groups to take part in the work of ensuring the water future of western South Dakota. Whether you’re a subdivision, a municipality or an organization who has a stake in our water future, please consider joining.
Starting Soon… Quarterly Technical Sessions for the public WDRWS wishes to share technical information as work progresses on the feasibility of delivering bulk water to systems in western South Dakota. Topics will range from project organization, legislative issues, emerging science on drought, and Tribal water law. Join in to learn more at noon on the first Friday of the first month of each quarter. Quarterly Board Briefings for members Our WDRWS members are dedicated to coming to the table and collaborating to find the best way to bring quality water to all corners of western South Dakota. On the first Friday of the second month of each quarter, members can join a briefing by the board on current and emerging topics facing the project.
Class 1 Member
Voting member – $1500 annual dues An organization with at least 200 residential connections or commercial equivalent
Class 2 Member
Voting member – $750 annual dues An organization with less than 200 connections or commercial equivalent or an organization with over 200 residential connections that is fully built out within its jurisdictional territory
Associate Member
Non-voting member – $375 annual dues Any firm, corporation, political entity, or subdivision not eligible to be a voting member but desiring to support WDRWS
Supporting Individual
Non-member – $50 annual dues Any individual or interested party desiring to support WDRWS Current benefits to members All members • G et to attend the Annual Meeting • Receive the quarterly newsletter • Receive notices Voting Members get to vote on • Business items • Board members
To become a member, visit wdrws.org/membership
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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
EVENTS The best way to engage is to be part of the conversation. Join us in these upcoming premier events!
Quarterly Technical Sessions
(Noon on the first Friday of the first month each calendar quarter) These technical sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about important technical issues associated with ensuring an abundant, quality water supply for western South Dakota October 6, 2023, 12:00 pm: Anatomy of a Large Regional Project with Cory Chorne, PE, WDRWS Engineering Project Manager Insights into the complexity of planning, designing, and constructing a major water project
April 5, 2024, 12:00 pm: Understanding Drought and Other Weather Predictions with Doug Kluck, Central Region Climate Services Director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (invited) Overview of emerging data and weather trends for South Dakota and the region July 12, 2024, 12:00 pm: Framework of Tribal Water Law with Mark Van Norman, Attorney for the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association and multiple Tribes Understanding of Tribal water historic legal foundations to current law
WDRWS.ORG
Quarterly Board Briefings
(Noon on the first Friday of the second month each calendar quarter) These briefings are for WDRWS Members to get an in-depth discussions of current and upcoming WDRWS Board activities. ▼▼▼▼
January 5, 2024, 12:00 pm: Preview of the Key Issues in the 2024 Legislature with Western South Dakota Legislators Perspectives on upcoming South Dakota legislation
November 3, 2023, 12:00 pm February 2, 2024, 12:00 pm May 3, 2024, 12:00 pm August 2, 2024, 12:00 pm All these meetings are via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/9275871345
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By The Numbers
WDRWS was formed in 2021, but this nonprofit organization’s history started long before its incorporation. Here are some of the numbers and information that tell the story of WDRWS so far. Public Water Supplier Total – 378 (West of Missouri River) 357 Surveys
Step 1 Contact Update Step 2 Initial Technical Data Step 3 Refined Technical Data Step 4 Initial Allocation Request Consecutive User Contact Update
54 Surveys 16 Surveys 3 Surveys 18 Surveys
FAQʼs
Who receives the water?
Will the water leave the Missouri River Basin?
Will the water be used for mining?
Who owns the project?
WDRWS will provide bulk water to water systems.
No, the water will be for municipal and rural use, excluding mining and irrigation.
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No, all of the water that runs off western South Dakota returns to the Missouri River through its tributaries. The non-profit WDRWS system, comprised of water systems and supporting organizations and individuals.
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EXPERTISE & STATS
15% Rapid City population change over the last 10 years
0.5 Ounce Per 1 Gallon
If the Missouri River was a one gallon bucket, the amount that WDRWS proposes to pipe to western South Dakota would be 0.5 ounces
18.9% Rapid City projected population increase from 2020 to 2030
10,000 AcreFeet Per Year Amount of Missouri River water allowed to be used by West Dakota Water Development District (WDWDD)
WDRWS.ORG
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MEMBERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT
Current Members & Contributors WESTERN DAKOTA WATER SYSTEM
◆ City of Rapid City ◆ City of Box Elder ◆ City of Spearfish ◆ West River/Lyman Jones ◆ Rapid Valley Sanitary District ◆ Bear Butte Valley Water District ◆ Butte-Meade Sanitary District ◆ Southern Black Hills Water System ◆ Hermosa* ◆ Custer*
CLASS II VOTING MEMBERS ● City of New Underwood ● Colonial Pine Hills
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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CLASS I VOTING MEMBERS
City of Whitewood* Pennington County Meade County Elevate Rapid City West River Water Development District West Dakota Water Development District West River Electric Association Weston Heights Homeowners Association
INTERESTED PARTIES/ INDIVIDUALS
Blare (SD Legislative District 21)* ■ Rocky ■ Gary and Bobbi Drewes*
* In Process
BENEFITS OF WDRWS MEMBERSHIP
Western Dakota Regional Water System is a grassroots effort, comprised of active water systems, delivering drinking water to their constituents. When South Dakota Mines published their report for the West Dakota Water Development District in 2019, the findings caught systems’ attention. Drought and other factors could have a major impact on water availability for the populations they serve. The systems decided to come together to do something about it. The best way to engage is to join the effort and be part of the conversation. There is no commitment at this time, but being at the table is essential to the success of a future WDRWS bulk water system. VISIT OUR SITE AT WDRWS.ORG WDRWS.ORG
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