The post GGI Works with City of Las Vegas to Optimize Water Storage appeared first on .

This investigation included the collection of precipitation samples and discrete intervals of the snowpack for tritium and stable isotope analyses, installation of piezometers and water level monitoring upgradient of the Phoenix Spring complex, sampling of springs, piezometers and Williams Lake for general chemistry, tritium, and stable isotopes, and gaging of stream and spring flows.  Preliminary analysis of d18O-d2H data indicate a greater contribution to recharge from summer monsoonal precipitation than has been found in previous studies, although recharge is still dominated by winter precipitation. Tritium data from springs are within the range of tritium concentrations indicative of a modern recharge source.  This ongoing investigation will develop a local meteoric water line for the Taos Ski Valley and will provide a hydrogeologic framework for the development of a source water protection plan (SWPP).

The post GGI Geologist presents Hydrology of Taos Ski Valley at NMGS appeared first on .

Spatial databases are essential tools in water rights administration and adjudications, and the most efficient way stakeholders, acequias, ditches and regulators to track “To Be Irrigated” or “TBI” acres in annual irrigation allotment tracking.

Check out the abstract here:

https://ngwa.confex.com/ngwa/swpolicy2018/webprogram/Paper11962.html

For more information on the development of spatial databases and how they can assist allocation and administration of water resources contact April Jean Tafoya at apriljean@glorietageo.com.

Gila River, SW New Mexico.

The post GGI Geologist presents Spatial Database at NGWA appeared first on .

The post Our Favorite 2017 Photos appeared first on .

A Water Asset Management Plan (WAMP) is required for a New Mexico municipality to be eligible for certain funding opportunities. While a WAMP may appear to be an additional regulatory hoop to jump through in the funding cycles, it is an incredibly valuable tool.  A WAMP improves your Utility’s ability to manage resources and promotes confidence in resource allocation decisions and asset management for the Utility.

Glorieta Geoscience, Inc. (GGI) develops WAMP’s to be living documents. To be useful, a living document must provide detailed information regarding the current state of the water system and to provide the operator the ability to update and prioritize future asset management and acquisition.

GGI provides interactive, adaptive maps of the water system in a familiar, user friendly platform. GGI produces databases, incorporating photos and scaled to the size of any municipal, to track and manage the replacement of a systems most valuable assets.  Development and implementation of a WAMP reduces risk and cost associated with management practices while delivering the service levels customers expect and regulators require.

Contact April Jean Tafoya at apriljean@glorietageo.com or 505-983-5446 x112 for more information regarding preparation of Water Asset Management Plans.

The post Water Asset Management Plan appeared first on .

Many concerns were addressed at the meeting; concerns discussed here include:

• To Be Irrigated (TBI) acreage reporting and Acequia Funding
• Historical Beneficial Use (HBU)
• Clarity of options

To Be Irrigated (TBI) Acreage & Acequia Funding

The proposed Rules and Regulations require Reporting of Lands To Be Irrigated under section 19.25.xx.103.  Each year in March, the mayordomo of each acequia or private ditch shall notify the watermaster, by means of a letter accompanied by a map, of acres under that ditch to be irrigated (TBI acres).  The general concern expressed by members of the public focused on

• the time consuming burden of this requirement in addition to a mayordomos current responsibilities
• difficulty of filling the mayordomo position with the burden of this requirement which appears to demand some technical savvy and a significant increase in time the mayordomo has to spend on administration
• funding for such a responsibility (mayordomos are usually unpaid)

Preparing TBI letters and maps annually has just been introduced to water right holders within the NPT basin, but the TBI lands concept has been in effect for many years in other basins in New Mexico.  GGI recently worked with water right holders on the Gila River in southern New Mexico to complete a “dynamic database,” which combines an online mapping application with abstracted water right information for over 400 parcels on approximately 1500 irrigated acres in the Upper Gila/Viden valley.  The dynamic database, court ordered by a federal judge, assists irrigators with submitting accurate TBI letters and maps to the Gila Water Commissioner on an annual basis.  The GGI dynamic database can be viewed here.

The dynamic database created by GGI for the Sunset and New Model Ditches clarifies water rights for their section of the Gila River and allows TBI forms to be easily submitted.  GGI will work with Acequia Associations and parciantes to develop a user friendly, accessible, adaptable, spatial, and accurate dynamic database for stakeholders and regulators to utilize for TBI and other water right information needs.

Acequia and ditch funding, similar to any community program and resource, is dependent upon many factors which vary with the political winds and current fiscal condition of the state.  The New Mexico Acequia Association  has resources for those seeking acequia and/or ditch funding.  The dynamic database, discussed above, was created with funding from several of the listed sources.

Historical Beneficial Use

Section 19.25.xx.108 addresses Diversion, Use, and Administration of Groundwater for Non-Pueblo Water Rights and outlines Determination of Historic Beneficial Use (HBU) for ground water rights with no specific amount set forth in the final decree.  In the event that a specific amount for a specific well was not set forth in the final decree, then the water right shall be the amount of historic beneficial use from the well, either by presumption or proof.

It is in the owner’s best interest to provide proof of beneficial use of water from your well as the presumed domestic amounts range from 0.5 – 0.7 acre-feet.  The proposed rules, subject to change until the effective date of publish, require:

1. meter readings for the period of time from entry of the metering order for the NPT basin until three years after the entry of the metering order
2. a map of the area of the claimed beneficial use as required by 26.2.24 NMAC; and
3. any other documentation that demonstrates the history and continuity of historic beneficial use, and may include deeds, survey plats, affidavits or other evidence to substantiate the claim.

The water master will determine the HBU amount based upon evidence of the highest amount of historic beneficial use in one calendar year.

Proof of HBU will determine the amount of water you can divert, and hence the value of your water right.  Before filing HBU documents with the OSE, it is recommended that you consult with the water rights experts at GGI to review your claim.  GGI has provided assistance to many irrigators, municipalities, and industrial facilities for historical beneficial use and proof of beneficial use filings and we can assist you with maximizing the value of your water right.

Clarity of Options

A concern stated by several public participants was the “lack of clarity” of the well election options.  As with all water right adjudications, water right holders want to make sure they are completely informed before making a decision which affects their property value.  Understanding this concern, GGI prepared a blog in the spring of 2016 focusing on property owners and well elections in the NPT basin.

The Aamodt Case was filed in 1966 and there is a lot of information out there.  Our professionals at GGI will compile your water right documents and work with you as you choose a well election, or buy or sell water rights.  Please contact us at 505-983-5446 before signing a well election, or buying or selling water rights.  We’d be happy to help.

April Jean Tafoya

Geologist, Water Rights Specialist

505-983-5446 x112

apriljean@glorietageo.com

Jay Lazarus

President, Senior Geohydrologist & Water Rights Specialist

505-983-5446 x111

lazarus@glorietageo.com

Glorieta Geoscience, Inc.

Copyright 2017

The post Aamodt Water Rights Settlement: Proposed Rules and Regulations appeared first on .

For many producers the paperwork involved with the application process can be time consuming.  The Technical Service Providers (TSPs) on staff at GGI can help you navigate through the process and prepare a successful application.  The NRCS EQIP program is a great opportunity for producers that are looking to make improvements to green water and manure handling systems and upgrading to energy efficient barn machinery.

For more information about EQIP funding and how you can apply contact Tara Vander Dussen at tbone@glorietageo.com or Dane Goble at goble@glorietageo.com.  Check out the NRCS website https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nm/programs/ for additional information!

The post GGI Dairy Client Awarded EQIP Contract appeared first on .

The post March for Science! appeared first on .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cafoweb Receives 2017 Best of Santa Fe Award

SANTA FE March 28, 2017 — Cafoweb has been selected for the 2017 Best of Santa Fe Award in the Agricultural Service category by the Santa Fe Award Program.

Each year, the Santa Fe Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Santa Fe area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2017 Santa Fe Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Santa Fe Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Santa Fe Award Program

The Santa Fe Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Santa Fe area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Santa Fe Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Santa Fe Award Program

CONTACT:
Santa Fe Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@onlineawarded.org
URL: http://www.onlineawarded.org

The post Cafoweb WINS BEST OF SANTA FE! appeared first on .

But when we saw this building, we couldn’t resist daydreaming about relocating!

The post New Location! appeared first on .