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DISTRICT SUPERVISORS

Jack Berger—Chairman

Dan Mika—Vice Chairman

Shirley Miller—Secretary

Randy Arnold—Treasurer

Scott Kerbs—Member

Associate Members

Mike Evans        Dan Runner       Jim Miller

cause a reduction in wildlife and fisheries habitat.  The spring runoff will be higher and late season flows much lower and warmer in all streams.

Agricultural income to Carbon County will be markedly reduced.  Irrigated acres above Pathfinder Reservoir will be reduced by 35,140.  This reduction will diminish land values by an estimated $41,711,000.  Annual agriculture revenues to Carbon County could ultimately decrease by $3,150,000.

The State of Wyoming will not provide written and legal assurances to Upper North Platte Valley irrigators that they will not suffer any consequences or injury due to Pathfinder Modification Agreement in which the water will be reallocated to a different use other than the original use for irrigation as permitted in 1904.

This different use for endangered species in Nebraska and the administration of this water for that purpose has no defined measurements to gauge success for that purpose.

Did you know?

►The SER Conservation District is aligned along voting precinct lines and occupies the center of Carbon County and includes approximately 2.7 million acres.  Of this total, 37% is privately owned, 58% is public lands managed by the BLM and USFS, and 6% is owned by the State of Wyoming.

►The Upper North Platte River watershed dominates the District.  Other watersheds that make up a significant portion of the District are the Great Divide Closed Basin, Sweetwater, and Pathfinder-Seminoe Reservoir.  Small portions of three other watersheds are also in the District.

►Precipitation in the Great Divide Basin averages less than 10” annually. The majority of arable irrigated land receives only 12”-18” annually, with most occuring at the lower range.  The growing season is dependent upon water availability and a frost free growing period, which is only about 90 days per year. 

                                                   (information taken from SER CD Long Range and Natural Resource Management Plan 2007-2011)

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Riparian and Wetland Areas—What are they?

Riparian areas are narrow strips or bands near streams, lakes, and rivers.  Flood irrigation has created numerous artificial wetlands that also function as riparian areas.  These areas act like a “giant sponge” capturing runoff and releasing the water slowly back to streams and rivers in the form of return flow in late summer and fall.

These wetlands are small but provide numerous benefits such as water quality protection, structural support for stream banks, water storage, flood control, reduced erosion, and stabilization of water flows in streams and rivers.

Riparian areas are necessary for healthy water, habitat and aesthetic value.

A change in how water rights are administered in the Upper North Platte Valley could have detrimental effects to many of these wetland areas.