Project Water Supply
The water supply for the Shoshone Project is obtained from surface runoff, mainly snowmelt, above Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The reservoir stores water from the Shoshone River. The drainage area of the Shoshone River above buffalo Bill Dam is approximately 1500 square miles and yields an average of 610 acre feet of water per square mile or 11.5 inches annually.
The four Divisions of the Shoshone Project have direct flow appropriation rights to the Shoshone River drainage dating back to 1899. In addition to natural flow rights, each Division has a contractual agreement with the United States for water stored in Buffalo Bill Reservoir.
The water supply is generally adequate although occasionally it is necessary to allocate to prorate water among the water users during periods of short supply. The Frannie Division, at the lower end of the irrigation systems, frequently has problems meeting peak demands during July and August due to excessive system losses.
Deaver R&B Program
An R&B Program was initiated in 1949 to replace wood control structures with concrete structures. Other structures were also replaced including drops, checks, turnouts, culverts, and other miscellaneous structures. Some wood structures still remain. Additional open and closed drains were constructed in problem areas. Rehabilitation and Betterment work amounting to $272,900 was included in the Amendatory Repayment Contract between the United States and the Deaver Irrigation District in 1949. A subsequent R&B contract of $15,543 was signed in 1963 and repaid in 6 years.
Deaver Irrigation District entered into an R&B Program as part of the Shoshone Project Joint Powers Board. This program was a combined effort of the State of Wyoming and the Bureau of Reclamation. The total allocations project wide was $15 million dollars, half the funds coming from the Bureau of Reclamation as an interest free loan and matching funds from the State of Wyoming as a grant. Each District’s share was based on their percent of acreage in the project. Having 16.18% of the acres, this made Deaver Irrigation District share $2,427,000. The first of Deaver Irrigation District projects with these funds was the replacement of the Frannie Flume at the Wyoming – Montana Border. All or part of the following laterals were put into cmp or PVC pipe: Lateral D-6, Lateral D-44, Lateral D-23-26, Lateral D-52, Lateral D56-25, Lateral D56-47, Lateral D56-64, Lateral D56-74, Lateral 158F, Lateral 209F, 114F Siphon and re-opened regulatory Lake Blue Lake. Four railroad siphons were replaced at 146F, 158F, D52 and 114F. The repayment of Diver’s share of the loan is $2.00 per acre for 40 years.
Conservation Plan
Through contractual obligation, the Deaver Irrigation District has established a conservation program with the Bureau of Reclamation. Through this plan Deaver replaces 5 headgates per year and installs 3 measuring devices. The Deaver Irrigation District has taken the initiative and is working on installing telemetry sites within the project to better track and control water. Deaver Irrigation District is constantly striving to conserve water and better allocate water throughout the project.
