Declining Groundwater
East Moxee/Black Rock Water Banking Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Groundwater Declining?
The East Moxee/Black Rock [EMBR] area receives very little recharge from rain and snow, and relies on groundwater from a confined basalt aquifer system. The water being pumped by farmers and residents isn’t being replaced at the same rate and the aquifer is declining by as much as 13 feet each year.
Q: How long before the groundwater runs out?
This is not known, but it is being studied. There are multiple aquifers in the area and the answer will likely be different for wells located in different aquifers.
Q: What is proposed to solve this problem?
Selah Moxee Irrigation District is proposing to assist in the creation of a water bank (the EMBR water bank), which would transfer surface supplies from the Yakima River through its canal system. That surface water would replace groundwater use, in whole or in part, which would then allow local aquifer levels to stabilize. A similar project is being implemented in the Odessa basin by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and local irrigation districts.
Q: What would happen to my groundwater well and water right if I participate in the water bank?
Like the Odessa basin project, the most likely scenario is the groundwater well and water right would be converted to a standby-reserve status and could only be used if surface water is not available (e.g., a canal break).
Q: Why is Selah Moxee Irrigation District leading this effort?
SMID’s mission is supporting agriculture, helping neighbors, and being a good water steward. With recent and future upgrades planned for SMID’s canal system, it makes sense to consider options that will solve local problems in the process. If we need to upsize our system to transport water to new customers in the EMBR area, we want to integrate those projects with our planned conservation projects. Additionally, through historic and on-going conservation projects, SMID has established a local water bank. Some of this water could be used to help EMBR groundwater users.
Q: What has been done so far?
The nature of the declining groundwater has been a topic of numerous studies by the United States Geological Survey, Ecology, and others. SMID conducted a Phase 1 EMBR Study to evaluate whether there was local interest in securing a replacement source to the declining groundwater, and whether the concept of importing surface water through the SMID system was possible. The current Phase 2 study was initiated in 2022 and is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2025.
Q: How is the Phase 2 study being funded?
Based on the strength of the findings of the Phase 1 EMBR Study, SMID began applying for grants for a Phase 2 EMBR Study. The Phase 2 feasibility study is estimated to cost $1.75 million dollars, which will be funded from grant sources including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington State Department of Ecology Office of Columbia River, Washington State Department of Commerce, SMID, and local farmer funds.
At completion of the Phase 2 study:
Governance for a final water market bank would be established.
A bank operator would be identified.
An interlocal agreement would be established
A project environmental impact statement would be completed
Engineering design to the 10% level would be completed
Interested local water users would be identified
The long-term sustainable yields of the aquifers will be known.
Q: How would the water bank work?
Water banks (also known as water markets) in Washington State are used to meet water supply challenges. A purchase or lease agreement would be established between the buyer and the bank operator. Water would be conveyed through an extension of SMID’s canal system to supply participating users. The source of the water could come from retired water rights in the Yakima Basin; from surplus water that is occasionally and seasonally available from the Yakima River; from SMID’s Water Bank; from stored water; or other sources.
Q: What is the cost to establish the EMBR Water Bank?
The total capital cost of the project—consisting of approximately 10 miles of new pipeline, a pump station, and on-farm storage—was estimated at approximately $84 million in 2020 dollars. With additional costs for establishing required easements, inflation, and contingency. the final project costs were estimated during the Phase 1 study to be at least $100 million.
Q: How much would it cost to purchase water from the EMBR Water Bank?
Water bank fees are not known at this time. So far, we are surveying users to gage their interest in participating if the cost of the water ranges from $75 to $300 per acre-foot. The range represents approximately one-half to double the SMID assessments and was selected because the range of grant funding to local match is still being determined for a final project.
Q: What is the Project Schedule?
Public Outreach: Summer 2022 – Winter 2024
First Public Open House: Fall 2022
Second Public Open House: To Be Determined
Public Survey Results: Spring 2025
Phase 2 Feasibility Study: 2022 – 2025
Establishment of Water Bank and Construction of new Infrastructure: Dependent on study findings and grant availability.