Ch-ch-ch Changes

Change is good for the soul, and there have been some exciting changes to the team here at Martin and Wood. We have recently promoted Michelle Cunico Johnson to President, a role that she is well prepared for with more than a decade of working here at Martin and Wood as both Vice President and Senior Engineer-Hydrogeologist. While Michelle is taking on the role of President, Joe Tom Wood remains heavily involved with Martin and Wood, taking on more of an advisory and mentorship role while still working on client projects. We are also thrilled to share that we have hired Marshall R. Haworth as a Staff Hydrogeologist. With experience in a wide variety of hydrogeologic field investigations and water rights projects, Marshall brings a wealth of knowledge to the Martin and Wood team. 

Aquifer Storage: Is It More Efficient?

Colorado’s Water Plan discusses Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) as an alternative to surface reservoirs and as a creative solution to more efficient management of water resources. The general term (ASR) gets thrown around a lot, and it includes water storage and recovery in both alluvial and confined aquifers. However, the terms “Contained Subsurface Reservoirs” and “Porosity Storage Reservoirs” are specifically used for storage in alluvial aquifers. Wells are used to inject the water into the aquifer and pump the water out of the aquifer. Deep aquifer technology has already been developed, but the practice of building contained alluvial aquifer storage reservoirs is a relatively new and a highly efficient alternative to storing water in a surface reservoir.

The loss of water in surface reservoirs to evaporation and seepage, which is not recoverable, is no longer being viewed as “the price of business,” but as a major setback. Getting more water for less money, and with less impact to the environment, is a reasonable course of action…one that ASR provides.

Here is a short list of potential benefits of aquifer storage reservoirs:

• Increased water yields by eliminating evaporative losses
• Improved water quality
• Reduced impacts from drought
• Low permitting requirements
• Conjunctive use of land
• Clear dominion and control of the water (depending on the type of ASR)

For more information on ASR and how Martin and Wood can help, get in touch with us today.

Colorado Water Supply Conditions

Snowpack reports from the National Resources Conservation Service show that as of May 1, 2016, snowpack is above average in Colorado at 104 percent of the median with the recent snow and rain, putting us in a more comfortable position for water ahead of wildfire season and summer months. 

As of May 10, 2016, only 5 percent of Colorado is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. 

The Rising Cost of Colorado Water

While oil and gas prices have been declining recently, values for Colorado–Big Thompson (CBT) Project water have reached all-time highs. CBT prices are generally considered an indicator of the trend in the Colorado water market. The CBT Project collects and delivers water to the East Slope via a 13.1-mile tunnel beneath Rocky Mountain National Park. Water flows to more than 640,000 acres of irrigated farm and ranch land and 895,000 people in portions of eight counties.

The selling prices of CBT units have more than tripled from 2010 to the end of 2015. In 2010, the sales prices ranged from about $6,500 to $9,000 per unit; in 2015, the sale prices ranged from $24,500 to $26,500 or more. CBT yield is set annually by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (District) and ranges from 0.50 to 1.0 acre-foot per unit. The average annual yield is 0.73 acre-feet per unit based on data from 1957 through 2015.

What’s driving the water prices skyward? There’s a finite supply of CBT units to begin with and an increasingly high demand for water. For developers, industrial users, municipalities, and others within the District boundary, CBT is often an ideal source of water, because it can be used for a number of purposes without requiring the user to go through water court proceedings (saving time and money).

The rising cost of CBT units makes it more difficult for agricultural users to purchase this water as a supplemental supply. Higher tap fees associated with new developments and difficulties obtaining raw water supplies are also creating challenges for developers and municipalities.

© 2012 Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. All rights reserved.

How Reliable is the Farmer's Almanac?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been offering weather predictions since 1792, but we wondered: What are the forecasts based on, and how accurate are they?

According to the publisher, the Old Farmer’s Almanac bases its forecasts on a “secret formula” derived by the almanac’s founder, Robert B. Thomas. “Thomas believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots, which are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun,” the book says. Over the years, the publishers refined that formula to include data from solar science, climatology, and meteorology. They predict weather trends based on historical weather conditions and current solar activity. They also use 30-year statistical averages from NOAA and other government agencies.

As for accuracy, the Almanac’s website says, “although neither we nor any other forecasters have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, our results are almost always very close to our traditional claim of 80 percent.”

This year, the Almanac has predicted higher than normal precipitation in much of Colorado. You can check the predictions for your area at the website: http://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/CO

Colorado Water Supply Conditions

As of February 9, 2016, less than 10 percent of Colorado is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. This is a dramatic improvement from one year ago, when more than 60 percent of the state was either abnormally dry or experiencing drought. Snowpack reports from the National Resources Conservation Service show that as of February 12th, snowpack is above average in Colorado.

A Place in Stanford History

This year, Stanford University is celebrating its 125th year, but did you know the Wood family holds a special place in the school’s history? Joe Tom and Holly Wood, along with all seven of their children are Stanford graduates. This makes them the biggest nuclear “Farm family” on record.

Joe Tom Wood, ’68, MS ’69, and Hollis “Holly” Rust, ’68, met at an Otero and Branner mixer in their first days on campus. They married in Stanford Memorial Church (also known as MemChu) at the end of their junior year. Their son and six daughters all attended and graduated from Stanford between 1991 and 2008.

The Wood Family

Martin and Wood Is On a Roll!

Ever wonder what we do when we’re not in the office? In late October, several Martin and Wood team members enjoyed a bowling night. It was a fun opportunity to relax and reconnect as coworkers and friends.

We also have some avid cyclists in our office. Senior water rights engineer Craig Lis recently participated in the 2015 Ride the Rockies, which tours some of Colorado’s most dramatic landscapes, including the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Staying active and supporting one another’s hobbies are just some of the ways we strengthen our team. We find the benefits spill over into the office environment, too.

Colorado Water Supply Conditions

Colorado is experiencing some abnormally dry areas, but overall, conditions are improving. As of October 27, 2015, 31.85 percent of Colorado land is classified as “abnormally dry.” This is better than one year ago, when 63.5 percent was abnormally dry or under moderate to severe drought. Early snowpack reports from the National Resources Conservation Service show that as of November 12th, snowpack is above average across most of the state of Colorado.

This is all good news as the state is out of drought conditions.