1. Tony Willardson Western States Water Council U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

3. Water Policy and Growth Population growth is continuing at an unprecedented rate in the West with ramifications not only for cities but rural communities and agricultural areas. In the future, we may not be able to sustain unlimited growth and still maintain our current quality of life. Difficult political choices will be necessary….

4. Decisions about where and how to grow are rarely influenced by water policy or by the availability of water Decisions about where and how to grow are rarely influenced by water policy or by the availability of water

5. Changing demographics and values placed on various water uses are transforming the future of water management. With limited opportunities to develop new supplies, new uses to accommodate growth must largely rely on water obtained from changes to existing uses of water. This will result in the reallocation of water to “higher valued uses.” Water continues to move from farms to cities. Water continues to move from farms to cities.

6. 2008 WGA Water Report Executive Summary 1. States working with interested stake-holders, should identify innovative ways to allow water transfers from agricultural to urban uses while avoiding or mitigating damages to agricultural economies and environ- agricultural economies and environ- mental values. mental values.

7. Water Law 101 Law of Prior Appropriation Law of Prior Appropriation First in Time, First in Use First in Time, First in Use Priority Dates and Water Duties Priority Dates and Water Duties Consumptive Water Use Consumptive Water Use Use it or Lose it! (Non-speculation) Use it or Lose it! (Non-speculation) Prohibits Wasting Water Prohibits Wasting Water Water Rights Transfers Water Rights Transfers No Injury No Injury

8. Priority Water Information Needs Available Surface and Ground Water Supplies Present Water Uses Snowpack (NRCS) Streamflow (USGS) Evapotranspiration (Landsat) Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation

9. Major Irrigated areas in Idaho and areas of METRIC application Idaho from Landsat Seasonal ET for SE Idaho Vegetation, Water and ET are variable in space and time

10. http://maps.idwr.idaho.gov/et/

11. KcKc 0.00 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.4 ET from individual fields is essential for:Water Rights, Water Transfers, Farm Water Management Why use High Resolution Imagery? ET from Landsat 5 with thermal sharpened to 30 m

12. Arkansas River

13. Landsat False Color 8/26/2002 10:33am MODIS False Color 8/26/2002 11:02am Landsat vs MODIS Why use High Resolution Imagery? Middle Rio Grande near Albuquerque

14. ET from wetlands and riparian systems Wetland Boise Valley Seasonal ET 2000

15. Lake Powell and the Upper Colorado River

16. Shortage Sharing and IntentionallyCreated Surplus (ICS) Water Imperial Valley, CA via Landsat 7

17. Priority Water Information Needs Gather and disseminate real-time data Gather and disseminate real-time data Increase support and funding for data Increase support and funding for data Identify data gaps and ways to close gaps Identify data gaps and ways to close gaps Foster remote sensing capabilities Foster remote sensing capabilities Reduce costs through technological innovation Reduce costs through technological innovation

18. Conclusion Good decisionmaking and risk management require sound science and adequate data. Good decisionmaking and risk management require sound science and adequate data. The states have a primary and critical role in western water management. The states have a primary and critical role in western water management. Sustainable water use in the West will depend in large part on state initiative and innovation. Sustainable water use in the West will depend in large part on state initiative and innovation. Landsat TIR represents an important innovation. Landsat TIR represents an important innovation. Landsat TIR is critical tool for measuring water use and facilitating transfers between uses Landsat TIR is critical tool for measuring water use and facilitating transfers between uses Continuing Federal financial support is essential Continuing Federal financial support is essential

20. Tony Willardson, Executive Director Western States Water Council 801-685-2225twillards@wswc.state.ut.us