OWNER: Wyoming Water Development Commission
DATE: 2005-2008
SPONSOR: Northern Arapaho Utilities
SERVICES PROVIDED:
- Project and Public Meetings, Public Hearings
- Hydrogeologic Investigation and Well Siting
- Test Well Permitting
- Program Development for Well Drilling and Testing
- Hydrogeologic Consultant Services During Drilling and Pump Testing
- Managing Well Construction Subcontracts
- Water System Master Plan
- Economic Analysis and Project Financing
- Environmental Report
The Northern Arapaho Utilities Organization uses the Little Wind River as its source for the Ethete Water System. This drainage has experienced a decrease in flow over the past several years due to drought conditions. During the summer months, there is not enough flow to adequately meet the system’s needs. To meet growing demands the utilities organization needs a more reliable water supply. The engineering firm of James Gores and Associates of Riverton, along with Wester-Wetstein of Laramie, was retained by the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) to assist Northern Arapaho Utilities in exploring for and developing a groundwater source and planning the water system’s needed future improvements.
In 2004, the Northern Arapaho Business Council secured a grant from the WWDC to conduct a study of potential groundwater resources in the Ethete area. The purpose of the study is to locate and then drill a test well in the Ethete area to determine the quantity and quality of water that may be available.
The study was also tasked to evaluate the Ethete area water system and identify those system improvements needed to meet the area’s growth for the next 30 years. The system’s water supply, storage capacity, and delivery capacity is being evaluated. The consulting team researched historical population and water use data and from it made forecasts of future population growth and the resulting water supply that will be needed to adequately serve the Ethete area in the future.
Four of the area’s geological formations were identified to potentially have useful quantities of potable water. The Sage Creek Anticline west of the Mill Creek School was originally selected to be the best test well site because a deep potable water well has never been attempted in this area. The well was drilled to a total depth of 4,026 feet. However, the well did not offer a viable water supply as the quantity and quality were not adequate.
As a result of not finding a suitable water supply, it was decided to pursue funding for an additional test well. That funding was secured and the project team is in the process of bidding the test wells in the Wind River formation.