The most difficult projects often tend to be the most rewarding. Building a lower Basin Reservoir in Carbon County may be challenging but the rewards far outweigh the challenges when you consider the future growth and prosperity of the community.
Obviously if it was easy it would have already been done. Many studies throughout the years and many dedicated individuals have spent a lot of time researching a reservoir here. Water is a necessity.
In Emery County, our neighbors to the south have several reservoirs and have spent millions of dollars in addition to the reservoirs for pipelines and sprinkling systems. They’ve also made efforts to further conserve a precious commodity; water.
Why not here?
So why not here? And why is their opposition to a study for a possibility of a reservoir? Building a reservoir or dam to capture water has a lot of obstacles, many things need to be considered and nobody wants a project that is not well thought-out and scrutinized that it was economical, safe and efficient.
An above-average amount of snowfall this year means there is currently an estimated 35,000 acre feet of water we are letting slip by. The proposed reservoir that is still in the study stages could hold 10,000 acre-feet of water.
Will it be costly? Probably, but neighbors to the south aren’t complaining, especially since new industry, like a robotics plant, is moving in.
Economic development, manufacturing companies and hopes of new industry for coal and other natural resources could pass us by. Companies look at places that have plenty of water. The lack of water and the current water situation, may even lead to finding a drink here difficult. Our future population levels could be hindered by the lack of water.
Price River watershed council is a group of water users and resource management agencies looking for ways to store water that now flows unused during winter months.
Senator David Hinkins has been key in helping obtain the funding for the study. The money for the study came from the states general fund. Tax dollars from sales and royalties comprise that fund. Every year a portion of that money is set aside and any county can apply for their community’s projects. The funding is allotted by our legislature to areas that it will do the greatest good and benefit for all. Lucky for us, Carbon County was the recipient.
Initially nine sites were studied. A scale was developed measuring safety, size and capacity, accessibility, location, environmental concerns and cost. It was narrowed down to the potential Garley site location.
Technology has changed
Earlier studies for a lower basin reservoir have been done. New technology and innovations have arisen since that time. Look at cell phones. A short time ago nobody but the very rich was able to carry a cumbersome portable phone. These days everyone has one, including our children and what’s more the phones fit in our pocket. So there is hope of new technology being possible. Let’s study that!
The objective of the project is to conserve and make better use of existing water rights. Each year at the end of irrigation season, water continues to flow down the PriceRiver. This amounts to thousands of acre feet that have no beneficial use.
The reservoir would save that water, lessening the impact of drought and expanding the potential usage.