April 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached are a couple of letters that staff plans on sending out to 2 producers to inform them that their variances will be voided.  Gaylen Kamrath told staff the land where the well is located, is being sold and do not plan on using that well for irrigation.  Jim Lamprecht has not irrigated this tract since 2016 by aerial maps, so just want to inform him that irrigation cannot continue without a new variance.  Mark Young is the owner of the property that Jim Lamprecht is tenant.  

Rationale:  Sylvia Waters applied for an expansion of acres variances with an allocation for the S½ NE¼ Section 15-21N-5W.  The well that will be supplying the water is G-144086 owned by Brad Wallin.  Brad is in agreement on using his well and will be supplying a letter to that effect. The allocation on this well will be 13.01 inches over a 3-year period.  They both understand that they will have to commit to 3 years before reapplying for a variance that will not include an allocation.  A water flow meter is already installed on this well.   

Variance information:

Staff calculated it out for 65.5 acres, 371 ranking score and 8.68 Acre Feet Depletion.  Irrigated Land currently - 70.44 acres
3 years allocation for adding the extra 65.5 acres (assuming 27 inches) - 13.01 inches over a 3-year period.  

Rationale:  John Larson purchased a tract of land in the SE¼ SE¼ Section 35-18N-8E.  There is certified irrigated acres on this tract with water being supplied by G-051311 located in SE¼ NE¼ Section 34-18N-8E.  John is requested a new irrigation well for this tract of land, which will irrigate about 18-23 acres. 

Rationale:  Tim and Dave Kastl have asked about moving irrigated land in a quantity management area that a different producer will not be irrigating anymore.  This same producer has brothers, and they are in the process of splitting up the land.  This tract of land has 2 pivots supplied by 1 well.  They were wondering if a well could be drilled in a special quantity area?  The rules say no new wells. 

Committee discussed as this tract of land has certified irrigated acres, that the Kastl's could apply for a new well permit in SQS #1 Management Area.  They would like staff to inform them that conditions could be placed on the new well.  The Committee would like a PVC pipe installed next to the well with a data logger, so NRD staff can obtain information during the pumping season.  If this well causes conflict to other wells during the pumping season, the well could be shut down.  This well would be located in the SQS #1 management area, so a water flow meter would be required with a 27-inch rolling allocation.   

Letter and map attached

Katie Cameron Comments with her interpretation maps:
This area is really interesting and took more evaluation than usual.  Luckily this location had a S-N line both east and west of Sec 36 plus a W-E line to the south that showed pretty consistent main aquifer material and thickness (looks partially saturated based on the static on registration and 1995 regional level). The AEM is not showing the bottom blue gravel units that are logged across the whole area as resistive but there is a consistent upper fine unit and a lower gravelly unit east west northwest and south.  The aquifer also looks to be in potential connection with the DVB special management area in LPSNRD to the south and that deeper paleochannel - I don't know what to say about well interference issues and in season pumping declines in that area potentially affecting this area to the north.  It appears to me that the main aquifer unit (top and bottom surfaces) spanning the District boundary dips generally down to the south (moving S-N profile images west and east of irrigation well cylinder attached as images too).  LPSNRD has a monitoring well (Stava) with transducer 1.5 miles SW of this location, I checked the most recent WLs and they appear to swing down 70 ft from an elevation similar as reported for the onsite irrigation well (1395 reported on reg.) to 1331 elev. during irrigation season (Sept 2020). We can talk about that and I am sure Dick knows much more than me about his area up there but the site is "up hill" from the confined pressures in that area. If I didn't know about all the irrigation wells to the south and southwest I would say go toward the SW corner of the NW1/4 for a better spot and see how that lower sand and gravel looks thickness wise on AEM. BUT the lower thick gravel unit is not showing up to the SE, is there a high TDS problem in this area that you know of? There is a suspicious low resistivity zone plotting below the gravels on the AEM (I put question marks) AGF interpreted as shale dominant Dakota.

I really am not sure but the west S-N line shows a little more saturated thickness and the unit is not tending to dip down to the south as much as the east S-N line possibly BUT there is definitely some shape variance to the unit geometry in that area indicating a pattern of deposition that needs more study (are they indeed the same depositional event across the NRD boundary or not). The surrounding well logs also show consistent thick fine sand unit clay between and "blue or green" sand and gravel at the bottom  above bedrock (not 100% if the "oaker" or shale at bottom is Dakota - see notes on logs but likely is).  I put thicknesses and elevations of units in red text on the logs for general reference because they do vary.  The bottom gravel ranges from 10ft thick (G-120156 stock well) to the northwest to 58 feet thick (G-055773 irr well) in Sec 31 R5E to the east. I believe the part of the aquifer across section 36 is thinner in general than to the west and it appears on line L139601 to the east to be pretty thin near the SE corner of the NW ¼ of Sec 36 BUT is there a groundwater quality issue affecting the resistivity values? I attached one ENWRA Archive BUT-113 PDF that shows 1740 TDS but it is like 5-6 miles north. I just don't know.
There are a lot of notes on this so let me know when you have time to discuss if needed before getting back to Kasti.
 

Rationale:  Norbert Foltz is interested in converting a surface water permit to a groundwater permit by drilling a new irrigation well.  The tract of land is in the NW¼ NW¼ 28-18N-1W in Platte County from Shell Creek.  

Committee told staff that Nobert Foltz could apply for a groundwater well permit and relinquish the surface water permit with no increase in acres. 

Rationale:  Coalition directors met on April 27 with a report given at the Committee meeting showing the depletions during the first 5-year allotment from the all 7 NRDs and NeDNR. (attached) The Lower Platte North has used 48.1% of its allowable depletion leaving 51.9% remaining.  The remaining amount can be carried over into the next 5 years, which will start in 2023.   The Budget was approved, which will include a study from HDR and Flatwater to assist in determining the next 5-year allotment.  Within the Budget (attached) are dues from each agency for $10,000 in the upcoming year.

Rationale: 

For 2021 we have 300 renewals and 8 new permit applications for a current total of 308.  Inspections for 0 renewal permits have been completed.  In 2020 the LPNNRD had 748 active permits. 
 

Rationale:  Spring 2021 groundwater level report is attached.  Example graph is attached showing only spring readings.

Rationale:  Two meter companies wants their meter added to the LPN approved Meter List.   Information follows on both with attachments from McCrometer. 

A few quick points on the McMag2000:
 
Accuracy:            ±2% of reading guaranteed throughout full range; ±1% over reduced range; calibrated in our NIST traceable test facilities. Repeatability of 0.25% or better.
Warranty:            5 years, Bumper to Bumper
Requirements: 5D upstream, 2D downstream - Simple installation through a 3" hole
Fitting Type:      Retrofit available using Mc® Propeller saddle.
Line size:             4" to 12"
Power:                 Battery-powered, DC power optional
Register:             Standard instantaneous flowrate indicator and nine-digit straight-reading totalizer
Hermetically sealed within a die-cast aluminum case
Includes a domed acrylic lens and a hinged lens cover with locking hasp
Pulse-out available for system integration IP67 to protect from harsh environments
Retrofit:              Parts kits are available to upgrade a mechanical McProp to an McMag2000

C-Isolution is also interested in adding there meter to the meter list
Meter Specifications
MATERIALS:
Totalizer:

• Water Resistant ABS Enclosure: Dimensions - 5" x 7" x 3 ½" |
• Clear Polycarbonate S2000U Enclosure Cover
• Rate Display: Liquid Crystal Display
• Totalization Display:
  • Nonresetable Electromechanical
  • LCD display
• Battery Life: estimated 5 years
• Environmental Temperature Range:
  • Operational: -4 F to 140 F | -20 C to 60 C
  • Storage: -20 F to 165 F | -40 C to 74 C

Transducer: 

• PVC: Type 1, GD 1, ASTM-D 1784, CL-12454-B, optional
• Impeller: Kynar - 720
• Shaft: Tungston-Carbide Steel: Grade C-2 (WA2), ROD-RRG-8
• Bearings: Ceramic - 99.7% Alumina

PROGRAMMING:

• Totalizers can be programmed to give the following readings:
  • Rate = GPM
  • Total = Gallons
  • Total = Acre Inch
  • Total = Acre Feet
  • Total = British Imperial Gallons

INSTALLATION:

• Full Pipe
• Straight Run
  • Minimum 10 Pipe diameters upstream
  • 5 Pipe diameters downstream
• Pipe Orientation
  • To your convenience, top half of pipe
  • 2 or 10 o’clock position only if small sticks are present in water
  • 12 o’clock orientation preferred
  • Horizontal or vertical upflows
• Pipe Sizes: 1 ½ inch to 20 inch (900R)

PERFORMANCE:

• Accuracy: + or - 2% with a proper installation
• Flow Range: 1 to 20 feet per second
• Operational Temperature: -4 F to 140 F / -20 C to 60C
• Pressure 150 PSI maximum

PIPE LINE CONNECTION:

• 2 inch NPT coupler
• Saddle mount
• Straightening tube, with or without flanges
• Ball valve

CABLE:

• 22 gauge shielded 2 conductor with drain
• PVC jacketed cable with 2 position Weather Pack
• 15 feet provided
• 1000 feet maximum

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Dwaine J Schmit & Selma S Trustees	Irrigation	$1,000	Butler

 

Rationale:  Attached is some discussion bullets for the Committee to consider for the Nitrogen Management Areas.  

Committee would like the nitrogen management areas to be a priority and the Water Department needs to re-evaluate the current department tasks and their importance.  The Water Department should use the current staff to accomplish the goals for this area.  The Committee would want to provide incentives to the producers to encourage practices that would improve the nitrate levels in the groundwater.  They would like to continue communication with the bordering NRDs and to consider options for recycling the high nitrate water.  More discussion will be held at the next Water Committee Meeting. 

A draft agreement for finishing the vadose work from the Demonstration fields is attached.  The amount LPN will owe is $2,640, which will be submitted to the NET grant for reimbursement after receiving the invoice.  

Rationale:  Attached is a map in which another sub-division has called in a complaint.