Cultural Water Demand in the Little Colorado River Plateau Basin

Cultural Water Demand

• Refer to Table 2.1-8 and Figure 2.1-11.
• Population increased by an average of 3,700 people per year between 1980 and 2000.
• Total groundwater pumping is increasing with an average of 104,800 acre-feet pumped per year in the period from 2001-2005.
• Total surface water diversions are estimated to be comparable to historic diversion volumes with 50,800 acre-feet diverted per year in the period from 2001-2005.  Municipal surface water diversions, however appear to be declining.
• Approximately 4,000 acre-feet of surface water is diverted per year for municipal use
• Most high intensity municipal and industrial (M&I) use is found in the population centers of Flagstaff, Page, Show Low/Pinetop-Lakeside, Taylor/Snowflake and Winslow/Holbrook.
• Industrial use has remained relatively constant with an average of 83,100 acre-feet of surface water and groundwater used per year during the 2001-2005 period.
• Approximately two-thirds of the industrial water supply is groundwater.
• Location of power plants and mines are shown on Figure 2.1-11 including the extent of the large Black Mesa and Kayenta coal mines south of Kayenta.  Power plants/electrical generating stations are Cholla near Joseph City, Coronado near St. Johns, Navajo at Page and the Springerville power plant located northeast of Springerville.
• Agricultural use is estimated to have declined slightly since 1991
• The large agricultural area northeast of Heber is pasture irrigated with wastewater from the Catalyst paper mill, an industrial user.

Effluent Generation

• Refer to Table 2.1-9.
• There are 60 known wastewater treatment facilities in the basin.
• The population served appears to be overestimated for the basin as a whole.  Multiple databases were used to compile the effluent generation information and may contain flawed population estimates and outdated information.
• More than 36,000 acre-feet of effluent per year are generated in the basin.  Almost a third of this volume is generated by a single facility, the Catalyst paper mill.
• Eight facilities discharge waste water for irrigation.
• Effluent is used to irrigate five golf courses.  More than 20 schools, parks and other locations use effluent in Flagstaff.
• Thirteen facilities discharge effluent to unlined impoundments that recharge the aquifer.

Click to view Table 2.1-9 Effluent Generation in the Little Colorado River Plateau Basin

Click to view Figure 2.1-11 Little Colorado River Plateau Basin Cultural Water Demands

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