Walker Basin Groundwater Rights Retirement Program
The Walker Basin Conservancy has been awarded funding for the purchase and retirement of groundwater rights in the Walker River Basin from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
This project provides a market for water rights retirement to address declining groundwater tables in the region. The Nevada Water Conservation and Infrastructure Initiative supports basins where current groundwater withdrawals exceed available supply and where there are known conflicts with water rights or natural resources of the State, all issues we face in the Walker. We are excited to address these problems head-on and are looking for partners interested in selling their groundwater rights.
To make the community aware of this program, the Conservancy mailed letters to everyone in the Walker Basin with a groundwater right and hosted public meetings at the Yerington Library on January 3rd and the Smith Valley Library at 5:30pm on January 4th. For more information regarding the program, please contact Carlie Henneman.
Contact:
Carlie Henneman, Water Program Director
(775) 463-9887 ext. 106
carlene.henneman@walkerbasin.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the State of Nevada interested in retiring groundwater rights?
Smith and Mason Valleys have declining groundwater tables due to agricultural withdrawals. In addition to the depletion of subsurface water, groundwater pumping has led to capture of the East, West, and main Walker River. Through this market-based mechanism, the State can protect the private property rights in water rights while reducing the long-term drawdown of this limited public resource.
What happens to rights acquired through this program?
Water rights acquired through this program will be deeded to the Walker Basin Conservancy and permanently retired.
How long does it take to sell water rights to this program?
Participants must come forward before January 29, 2024. A list of prospective groundwater transactions must be submitted to DCNR by February 1, 2024. Transactions must be in contract by September 30, 2024. The Conservancy has worked with over 156 ranchers and farmers in the Walker Basin, executing dozens of water rights transactions and has a demonstrated ability to close in a timely manner.
How is this different than the Walker Basin Restoration Program (funded by NFWF)?
This funding source allows the Conservancy to address unsustainable groundwater pumping head-on. In the past, we have purchased and retired groundwater as part of a surface water portfolio intended to increase flows of the Walker River to Walker Lake. This source lets us work with smaller farmers and ranchers, who may have groundwater-only farms, and prioritize pumping reductions directly.
How will you choose which rights to retire?
The Conservancy is going to prioritize purchasing and retiring groundwater rights that have demonstrated conflict with senior surface or groundwater rights, rights that impact other natural resources or habitat, and primary rights over supplemental rights. Through January, we are working to identify all water rights holders who have an interest in participating.
Is this just going to retire ‘paper’ water?
We are prioritizing the acquisition of water rights that have been pumped regularly. In our region, the State has well records for agricultural water rights, making it straightforward to demonstrate historic pumping.
How do I get involved?
Call (775) 463-9887 ext. 106 to talk to Carlie Henneman, Water Program Director.