Problem with not knowing the numbers

Does it matter what the depletion is that is caused by pumping water from the aquifer? According to the Upper Republican NRD, this number is unimportant. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources refuses to release this number or information on how this number is generated. It is contended that the amount of depletion caused by aquifer pumping requires the interpretation of an experienced water hydrologist. Anyone who is not trained in the arcane art of deciphering water numbers cannot understand the numbers and their meaning. So, to share them with the ignorant public would be counter-productive.

Yet, even this group of people realizes they must use some number in order to justify any decisions.

It appears that the number that is being used now (early May 2004; substantially different than past numbers that have been used) is 33.3% of Quick Response well pumpage and 12.6% of upland well pumpage is counted as contributing to the depletion of the stream flow. These numbers are an average. For simplification purposes, it has been determined that a ground water well that is within 5280 feet of the center of the stream will draw 33.3% of the water it pumps from the stream. A well that is any distance more than 5280 feet (could be 5290 feet to 20 miles) will pull 12.6% of the water it uses from the stream.

The numbers used by the NDNR for estimating the amount of water that must be reduced to pacify Kansas do not take into consideration the time it takes for the reduction to contribute to stream flow. To date, the lag affect number has been impossible for the public to obtain. The NDNR has decided that a reduction of pumpage by an upland well 10 miles from the stream will have an immediate effect on the stream flow. For example, they reported that a well 10 miles away will cause an immediate depletion to the stream of 1%. Next year, it will have another 1%. This will continue for a total of 100 years until all the pumping is reflected.

The biggest problem with these numbers is that they are not supported by the data the NDNR uses to estimate the effects of groundwater pumping. A review of one set of documents produced by the NDNR indicates that Quick Response well pumping causes a 5% depletion. Public statements by NRD board members and NDNR personnel indicate that the depletion ratio is somewhere around 85%. Yet another set of documents suggests that the number is 33%.

The NDNR refuses to provide a set of numbers that can be supported by their own Model. The NRDs have yet to ask for this data.

In our opinion, this means that any reduction requested or required by the NRDs from groundwater users is arbitrary. The fact that the authorities are making decisions based on incomplete information means their actions are likely to be successfully challenged in court.

Back to the question, "does it matter what the numbers are?" The answer is an obvious 'yes.' The numbers determine how much water reduction must take place. The numbers determine if we must reduce usage by 1%, 10%, 50%, or some other number. To decide that we must reduce water usage by 10% on all upland wells and by 50% on all quick response wells, based on fluctuating numbers, causes the public to lose confidence in the public officials.