Irrigation Water SupplyIrrigation Water Supply

The Hydrologic CycleThe Hydrologic Cycle

Surface WaterSurface Water

• Streams and rivers– diversion by gravity flow or pumping– often low flows when irrigation water is

needed most

• Lakes, ponds, reservoirs– gravity flow or pumping– source of water need for replenishing

Average Annual Precipitation in OklahomaAverage Annual Precipitation in Oklahoma

Annual Evaporation from Free Water SurfacesAnnual Evaporation from Free Water Surfaces

Average Annual Runoff from WatershedsAverage Annual Runoff from Watersheds

(acre-inches of runoff/acre of watershed)(acre-inches of runoff/acre of watershed)

USGS, 1975

Hydrologic Hydrologic ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Panhandle Calculation (Guymon, OK)– Rainfall: 18 in/year– Evaporation: 63 in/year– Runoff: 0.3 acre-inch/acre

• Loss: 63”-18”= 45 acre-in per acre of lake

• Gain: 0.3 acre-in per acre of watershed• Need: 45/0.3 = 150 acres of watershed

per acre of lake (just to offset evaporation loss)

Wastewater SourcesWastewater Sources

• Agricultural and municipal wastewater are Agricultural and municipal wastewater are frequently used for crop and turf irrigationfrequently used for crop and turf irrigation

• 99+% of pathogens destroyed within 6 hours 99+% of pathogens destroyed within 6 hours of exposure to oxygen and sunlightof exposure to oxygen and sunlight

• Wastewater irrigation in public spaces (golf Wastewater irrigation in public spaces (golf courses) require tertiary treatment of water courses) require tertiary treatment of water and labeling of sprinklers/valves (red cover and labeling of sprinklers/valves (red cover with “Non-Potable” in English & Spanish)with “Non-Potable” in English & Spanish)

Ground Water StorageGround Water Storage

• Underground lakes & rivers? No!Underground lakes & rivers? No!• Pore spaces between individual Pore spaces between individual

particles (sand and gravel)particles (sand and gravel)• Fractures in hard rockFractures in hard rock• Porous sandstonePorous sandstone• Solution channels or caverns in Solution channels or caverns in

limestone or gypsum (nearly limestone or gypsum (nearly underground rivers)underground rivers)

Ground Water MovementGround Water Movement

• Movement rate is typically tenths of Movement rate is typically tenths of a foot per day up to a few feet per a foot per day up to a few feet per dayday

• Rate is dependent on:Rate is dependent on:– the size and number of openingsthe size and number of openings

(pore spaces, fractures, (pore spaces, fractures, solution channels)solution channels)

– the amount of water pressure created the amount of water pressure created by differences in water levelsby differences in water levels

Ground Water TerminologyGround Water Terminology• Porosity:Porosity: percentage of a geologic formation that percentage of a geologic formation that

consists of open spaces (same as soil porosity)consists of open spaces (same as soil porosity)• Specific yield:Specific yield: percentage of a formation that is percentage of a formation that is

occupied by water which will drain out by occupied by water which will drain out by gravitygravity

• Specific retention:Specific retention: percentage of the formation percentage of the formation that is occupied by water which is retained that is occupied by water which is retained against gravity against gravity

• Specific retention + Specific yield = PorositySpecific retention + Specific yield = Porosity• Permeability:Permeability: property of formations indicating property of formations indicating

how rapidly water will be transmitted (high in how rapidly water will be transmitted (high in sands and gravels; low in clays)sands and gravels; low in clays)

Ground Water Terminology 2Ground Water Terminology 2

• Saturated zones:Saturated zones: portions of a soil profile portions of a soil profile or geologic formation where all spaces or or geologic formation where all spaces or voids are filled with water (no air is voids are filled with water (no air is present)present)

• Unsaturated zones:Unsaturated zones: soil and geologic soil and geologic materials located between the land surface materials located between the land surface and the saturated zone (spaces or voids and the saturated zone (spaces or voids are filled with combination of air/water)are filled with combination of air/water)

• Water table:Water table: level in a formation below level in a formation below which all spaces or voids are filled with which all spaces or voids are filled with water (top of the saturated zone)water (top of the saturated zone)

Ground Water Terminology 3Ground Water Terminology 3

• Aquifer:Aquifer: saturated formation that will yield saturated formation that will yield usable quantities of water to a well or springusable quantities of water to a well or spring

• Unconfined aquifer (water table aquifer):Unconfined aquifer (water table aquifer): aquifer whose upper water surface is the aquifer whose upper water surface is the water table (no layers restricting water water table (no layers restricting water movement into the saturated zone from movement into the saturated zone from above)above)

• Confined aquifer (artesian aquifer):Confined aquifer (artesian aquifer): aquifer in aquifer in which the water is confined under pressure which the water is confined under pressure between low-permeability materials between low-permeability materials (aquitards)(aquitards)

Confined and Unconfined AquifersConfined and Unconfined Aquifers

Well DrillingWell Drilling

• Dug wells:Dug wells: dug by hand or backhoe equipment dug by hand or backhoe equipment• Driven Wells:Driven Wells: sand point wells are driven with sand point wells are driven with

a sledge hammer or post drivera sledge hammer or post driver• Dug & Driven wells are shallow, low yielding Dug & Driven wells are shallow, low yielding

wellswells• Professionally Drilled WellsProfessionally Drilled Wells    • Cable-tool percussion wells:Cable-tool percussion wells: a heavy bit is a heavy bit is

repeatedly lifted and dropped to loosen and repeatedly lifted and dropped to loosen and break-up formationbreak-up formation– particles are periodically removed with a bailerparticles are periodically removed with a bailer– effective for formations containing rocks and effective for formations containing rocks and

bouldersboulders– generally for wells 12 inches in diameter or lessgenerally for wells 12 inches in diameter or less

Well Drilling 2Well Drilling 2• Rotary:Rotary: rotating bit connected to a hollow rotating bit connected to a hollow

drill stem through which drilling fluid is drill stem through which drilling fluid is pumpedpumped– Drilling fluid serves several purposesDrilling fluid serves several purposes

• Cools & lubricates the drill bitCools & lubricates the drill bit• Removes drill cuttingsRemoves drill cuttings

• Different rotary versions:Different rotary versions:– Direct rotary:Direct rotary: fluid down stem, up the borehole fluid down stem, up the borehole– Reverse rotary:Reverse rotary: fluid down borehole, up drill fluid down borehole, up drill

stemstem– Air rotary:Air rotary: compressed air is the drilling fluid compressed air is the drilling fluid

Well ComponentsWell Components• Bore hole:Bore hole: cylindrical shaped opening cylindrical shaped opening

created by the drilling operationcreated by the drilling operation• Casing:Casing: round pipe (usually steel) that round pipe (usually steel) that

protects the bore hole from collapse and protects the bore hole from collapse and houses the pumphouses the pump

• Screen (intake section):Screen (intake section): manufactured manufactured screens are best, but other types of screens are best, but other types of perforations are sometimes used (torch perforations are sometimes used (torch slots, saw cuts, etc.) slots, saw cuts, etc.) 

• Gravel pack (optional):Gravel pack (optional): material with material with greater permeability placed around intake greater permeability placed around intake section section 

Well Hydraulics TerminologyWell Hydraulics Terminology• Static water level:Static water level: water level in a well when water level in a well when

the pump is not operating (is idle for several the pump is not operating (is idle for several days)days)

• Pumping water level:Pumping water level: water level in a well when water level in a well when the pump is operating at some flow ratethe pump is operating at some flow rate

• Drawdown:Drawdown: difference between water levels in difference between water levels in a well under non-pumping and pumping a well under non-pumping and pumping conditionsconditions

• Cone of depression:Cone of depression: drop in ground water drop in ground water levels around a well or group of wells in levels around a well or group of wells in response to ground water withdrawal [aquifer response to ground water withdrawal [aquifer volume that is affected by pumped well(s)]volume that is affected by pumped well(s)]

• Lift:Lift: vertical distance from the water level in a vertical distance from the water level in a well during pumping to some delivery pointwell during pumping to some delivery point

Well Hydraulics TerminologyWell Hydraulics Terminology

Well YieldWell Yield• Influencing factorsInfluencing factors

– aquifer characteristicsaquifer characteristics– strainer characteristics (screen, gravel pack, strainer characteristics (screen, gravel pack,

etc.)etc.)– well penetration depth into the aquiferwell penetration depth into the aquifer– well diameter (doubling d results in about a well diameter (doubling d results in about a

10% increase in Q)10% increase in Q)• Yield [Q] and drawdown [H-h]Yield [Q] and drawdown [H-h]

– Interrelated (Q increases as [H-h] increases)Interrelated (Q increases as [H-h] increases)– Case of diminishing returns (maximum Case of diminishing returns (maximum

practical Q occurs when [H-h] = 0.88H)practical Q occurs when [H-h] = 0.88H)

Test HolesTest Holes• Is a well feasible? Is a well feasible? • Where should it be located?Where should it be located?• Usually rotary drilled; about 4-inch diameterUsually rotary drilled; about 4-inch diameter• Things you can learn:Things you can learn:

– depth to static water leveldepth to static water level– type and thickness of water-bearing formationstype and thickness of water-bearing formations– best methods for drilling and developing the wellbest methods for drilling and developing the well– recommended gravel pack, screen size, etc.recommended gravel pack, screen size, etc.

Characteristics of Aquifer MaterialsCharacteristics of Aquifer Materials

Hydraulic Conductivity of Aquifer MaterialsHydraulic Conductivity of Aquifer Materials

Radius of Influence in Aquifer MaterialsRadius of Influence in Aquifer Materials

Gravel PackGravel Pack

• Gravel pack (envelope): coarse Gravel pack (envelope): coarse particles placed between the aquifer particles placed between the aquifer material and the well screenmaterial and the well screen

• Material should be rounded, silica Material should be rounded, silica gravelgravel

• Gravel pack purposes:Gravel pack purposes:– keep fine sand from entering the wellkeep fine sand from entering the well– increase permeability around the screenincrease permeability around the screen– allow larger openings in the screenallow larger openings in the screen

Well ScreensWell Screens• Screen typesScreen types  

– Home-made: torch cuts; mill/sawed slots (not good)Home-made: torch cuts; mill/sawed slots (not good)– Manufactured: shutter/louver type, continuous slot Manufactured: shutter/louver type, continuous slot

(V-shaped or round wire)(V-shaped or round wire)

• Length:Length: depends on aquifer formations depends on aquifer formations– Lower 1/3 of unconfined aquifer depthLower 1/3 of unconfined aquifer depth– 80-90% of confined aquifer thickness80-90% of confined aquifer thickness

• Slot width:Slot width: size to exclude 90% of gravel pack size to exclude 90% of gravel pack or aquifer material (if the well is gravel packed)or aquifer material (if the well is gravel packed)

• Diameter:Diameter: depends on well size; also entrance depends on well size; also entrance velocity considerationsvelocity considerations

• Type of material:Type of material: strength, corrosion, strength, corrosion, incrustation factorsincrustation factors

Torch-cut slots in a steel casingTorch-cut slots in a steel casing

Torch-cut slots normally result in about 10% Torch-cut slots normally result in about 10% open area for water flow.open area for water flow.

Manufactured Well ScreensManufactured Well Screens

Triangular X-sectionTriangular X-section Round X-sectionRound X-section

Large Screen OpeningLarge Screen Opening Small Screen OpeningSmall Screen Opening

Stainless SteelStainless Steel Galvanized SteelGalvanized Steel

Water Flow DirectionWater Flow Direction

Screen Sizes and MaterialsScreen Sizes and Materials

8-inch8-inch

Galvanized SteelGalvanized Steel

6-inch6-inch

BronzeBronze

4-inch4-inch

Stainless SteelStainless Steel

16-inch Diameter Carbon Steel Johnson Agri-Screen16-inch Diameter Carbon Steel Johnson Agri-Screen®®

Well DevelopmentWell Development• Purposes:Purposes:

– Remove skin resulting from drilling mudRemove skin resulting from drilling mud– Increase permeability around the wellIncrease permeability around the well– Stabilize formation to minimize sand pumpingStabilize formation to minimize sand pumping

• Methods:Methods:– Bailing (with driller’s bailer)Bailing (with driller’s bailer)– Intermittent pumping (rapid pump on/off Intermittent pumping (rapid pump on/off

cycles)cycles)– Surging (with surge block {piston})Surging (with surge block {piston})– Jetting (high pressure water streams)Jetting (high pressure water streams)– Others- surfactants, dry ice, etc. Others- surfactants, dry ice, etc. 

Test PumpingTest Pumping

• Purposes:Purposes:– determine well performancedetermine well performance– help in pump selectionhelp in pump selection

• Procedures:Procedures:– Pump at constant rate for period of time; Pump at constant rate for period of time;

measure Q and drawdownmeasure Q and drawdown– Step tests (different flow rates)Step tests (different flow rates)

• Start at 10% of est. max. yield; measure Q & Start at 10% of est. max. yield; measure Q & drawdowndrawdown

• Increase flow rate; repeat Q & drawdown Increase flow rate; repeat Q & drawdown measurementsmeasurements

Well Yield vs. Drawdown

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Flow Rate, (gpm)

Wat

er L

evel

, (ft

)

W ater Level

60 ft60 ft

600 gpm/60 ft = 10 gpm/ft600 gpm/60 ft = 10 gpm/ft

Irrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water Quality

• Sediment:Sediment: suspended sand, silt and clay suspended sand, silt and clay

• Total salinity:Total salinity: dissolved mineral salts dissolved mineral salts

• Sodicity:Sodicity: sodium content of dissolved minerals sodium content of dissolved minerals

• Toxic minerals:Toxic minerals: boron, chlorides, etc. boron, chlorides, etc.

SedimentSediment

• Sediment: suspended sand, silt and claySediment: suspended sand, silt and clay• Effects:Effects:

– emitter cloggingemitter clogging– nozzle wear and cloggingnozzle wear and clogging– capacity of canals, reservoirs, pipelines reducedcapacity of canals, reservoirs, pipelines reduced

• Control:Control:– large particles- sediment basins, cyclonic large particles- sediment basins, cyclonic

separatorsseparators– small particles- filters, flocculation/filtrationsmall particles- filters, flocculation/filtration

SalinitySalinity• Concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)Concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

– Units: milligrams/liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm)Units: milligrams/liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm)– 1mg/l = 1 ppm1mg/l = 1 ppm

• Electrical Conductivity (EC)Electrical Conductivity (EC)– Units: deciSiemens per meter (dS/m)Units: deciSiemens per meter (dS/m)– 1 dS/m = 1 millimho/cm = 1000 micromhos/cm1 dS/m = 1 millimho/cm = 1000 micromhos/cm

• Approximate relationship: TDS = 640 (EC) Approximate relationship: TDS = 640 (EC) where TDS is in mg/L and EC is in where TDS is in mg/L and EC is in

dS/mdS/m• Commonly measure ECCommonly measure ECee

(EC of the extract taken from a saturated soil)(EC of the extract taken from a saturated soil)

Causes of SalinityCauses of Salinity

• All soils and irrigation waters contain saltAll soils and irrigation waters contain salt• ET tends to increase salt concentrationsET tends to increase salt concentrations• In humid regions, rainfall provides dilution In humid regions, rainfall provides dilution

and flushing below the root zoneand flushing below the root zone• In arid regions, salts tend to concentrate In arid regions, salts tend to concentrate

much more over time, especially at the much more over time, especially at the soil surfacesoil surface 

Salinity EffectsSalinity Effects• Reduced water availability to plants Reduced water availability to plants

(osmotic effect)(osmotic effect)T T = = MM++GG++OO

• More difficult for roots to extract More difficult for roots to extract water from the soil because increased water from the soil because increased osmotic potential raises total water osmotic potential raises total water potential the plant must generate to potential the plant must generate to extract water from the soilextract water from the soil

Salinity and Soil Salinity and Soil Water PotentialWater Potential

Salt ConcentrationsSalt Concentrations

0.1% = 1000 mg/l0.1% = 1000 mg/l

0.2% = 2000 mg/l0.2% = 2000 mg/l

0.3% = 3000 mg/l0.3% = 3000 mg/l

0.4% = 4000 mg/l0.4% = 4000 mg/l

Salinity Effects: Part 2Salinity Effects: Part 2

• Yield impacts depend on the soil salinity level Yield impacts depend on the soil salinity level and the crop's sensitivity to itand the crop's sensitivity to it

• YYrr = 100 for EC = 100 for ECee < T < T

• YYrr = 100 - S (EC = 100 - S (ECee - T) for EC - T) for ECee > T (Eq. 6.4) > T (Eq. 6.4)

• YYrr= relative yield, (%)= relative yield, (%)

• T= threshold salinity where yield is first reduced, T= threshold salinity where yield is first reduced, (dS/m)(dS/m)

• S= slope of yield-salinity relationship, (%/dS/m)S= slope of yield-salinity relationship, (%/dS/m)

• Minimum value for YMinimum value for Yrr is 0 is 0

SS

TT

Threshold, T, and Slope, S, Salinity ValuesThreshold, T, and Slope, S, Salinity Values

1 dS/m1 dS/m

Irrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water QualityTurfTurf

SSppeecciieess TThhrreesshhoolldd ((ddSS//mm))

SSllooppee ((%%//ddSS//mm))

RRaattiinngg

BBeenntt -- -- MMSS

BBeerrmmuuddaa 66..99 66..44 TT

FFeessccuuee 33..99 55..33 MMTT

RRyyeeggrraassss 55..66 77..66 MMTT

SodicitySodicity

• Sodicity: sodium level in water or soil, Sodicity: sodium level in water or soil, particularly in relation to the levels of particularly in relation to the levels of calcium and magnesiumcalcium and magnesium

• Effects:Effects:– Clay particles swell and aggregates disperse (soil Clay particles swell and aggregates disperse (soil

structure)structure)– Reduced infiltration and percolationReduced infiltration and percolation– Poor tilth and aerationPoor tilth and aeration– ““Slick spots” (Black alkali soils)Slick spots” (Black alkali soils)– (when calcium and magnesium dominate, soil (when calcium and magnesium dominate, soil

structure is much better)structure is much better)

Sodicity MeasurementSodicity Measurement

• Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) 

 • C's have units of moles of charge

per cubic meter (meq/L valence)

MgCa

Na

CC

CSAR

Potential for infiltration problems due to high NaPotential for infiltration problems due to high Na++ water. water.

Potential for infiltration problems due to high NaPotential for infiltration problems due to high Na++ water. water.

EC = 0.40 mmho/cmEC = 0.40 mmho/cm

SAR = 8.2SAR = 8.2

Mineral ToxicityMineral Toxicity

• Plant damage resulting from the Plant damage resulting from the uptake and accumulation of certain uptake and accumulation of certain ionsions

• Examples: boron, chloride, sodiumExamples: boron, chloride, sodium• Evidence of toxicity usually appears as Evidence of toxicity usually appears as

burning on margins of mature leavesburning on margins of mature leaves• Generally not a problem with most Generally not a problem with most

irrigation watersirrigation waters 

LeachingLeaching

• Leaching: Addition of excess water which will Leaching: Addition of excess water which will wash accumulated salts below the root zonewash accumulated salts below the root zone

• Occurs naturally in humid regions due to heavy Occurs naturally in humid regions due to heavy rainfallrainfall

• Artificial leaching in arid regions through over- Artificial leaching in arid regions through over- irrigationirrigation

• Either method requires good drainageEither method requires good drainage

Irrigation(Water + Salt)

RainfallEvaporation(Water Only)

Drainage(Water + Salt)

Crop Root Zone

Salt and Water Balance in the Root ZoneSalt and Water Balance in the Root Zone

Salt Residue Left by Evaporating Water (High ECe)

Leaching Fraction, LLeaching Fraction, L

L = DL = Ddd/D/Dii = C = Cii/C/Cdd = EC = ECii/EC/ECdd

L = Leaching fractionL = Leaching fraction

D = Water depthD = Water depth

C = Water mineral concentration (TDS)C = Water mineral concentration (TDS)

EC = Water electrical conductivityEC = Water electrical conductivity

ii = Irrigation water = Irrigation water (consistent units: in/in,(consistent units: in/in,

dd = Drainage water = Drainage water ppm/ppm, dS/mppm/ppm, dS/m//dS/m)dS/m)

Leaching Requirement, LLeaching Requirement, Lrr

LLrr = Leaching requirement = Leaching requirement

(i.e., the leaching fraction (i.e., the leaching fraction requiredrequired))

There are simple models which estimate the There are simple models which estimate the amount of leaching required to maintain an amount of leaching required to maintain an acceptable level of soil salinity, based on a acceptable level of soil salinity, based on a linear distribution of accumulated salts in the linear distribution of accumulated salts in the root zone.root zone.

Leaching Requirement as a function of ECLeaching Requirement as a function of EC ii and T and T

LLrr when EC when ECii = 2.40 dS/m and T = 2.5 dS/m = 2.40 dS/m and T = 2.5 dS/m

LLrr = 0.17 = 0.17

Reclamation of Saline SoilsReclamation of Saline Soils

• SalinitySalinity– Natural leaching with rainfallNatural leaching with rainfall– Artificial leaching with excess irrigationArtificial leaching with excess irrigation– Good drainage through root zone requiredGood drainage through root zone required

• SodicitySodicity– Addition of soil amendments (Calcium)Addition of soil amendments (Calcium)

• Reclamation should be done whenever salt Reclamation should be done whenever salt levels reach an economic threshold levels reach an economic threshold (Crop yield is significantly affected)(Crop yield is significantly affected)

Water LawWater Law

• Riparian Doctrine:Riparian Doctrine: "a landowner contiguous to a "a landowner contiguous to a stream is entitled to have water of the stream stream is entitled to have water of the stream flow by his/her land undiminished in quantity flow by his/her land undiminished in quantity and unpolluted in quality"and unpolluted in quality"– Based on English common lawBased on English common law– Ground water context: ownership of overlying landGround water context: ownership of overlying land– Doctrine is often modified to the concept of Doctrine is often modified to the concept of

"reasonable use""reasonable use"

• (Prior) Appropriation Doctrine:(Prior) Appropriation Doctrine: "diverting water "diverting water and putting it to a beneficial use creates a and putting it to a beneficial use creates a water right"water right"– Early miners' claims: "first in time is first in right" Early miners' claims: "first in time is first in right" 

Beneficial UsesBeneficial Uses

• DomesticDomestic• IndustrialIndustrial• IrrigationIrrigation• LivestockLivestock• Power generationPower generation• RecreationRecreation• Aquatic lifeAquatic life

Water RightsWater Rights (cornerstone of the Appropriation (cornerstone of the Appropriation

Doctrine)Doctrine)• Water is owned by the publicWater is owned by the public• State can grant the right to use waterState can grant the right to use water• Certain quantity, certain use, certain point of Certain quantity, certain use, certain point of

diversiondiversion• Priority is very important (senior vs. junior Priority is very important (senior vs. junior

rights)rights)• Can be bought and soldCan be bought and sold• No guarantee of waterNo guarantee of water• Non-use forfeits the rightNon-use forfeits the right• Normally administered through a permit systemNormally administered through a permit system

$26 million Water Rights Ruling Scrutinized $26 million Water Rights Ruling Scrutinized SAN DIEGO — A $26 million judgment against the federal government, SAN DIEGO — A $26 million judgment against the federal government, which was awarded to a group of California farmers for a 1990s water which was awarded to a group of California farmers for a 1990s water diversion, is being questioned by environmentalists, The Associated Press diversion, is being questioned by environmentalists, The Associated Press (AP) said in an article reported by (AP) said in an article reported by The Mercury News..

A federal judge ruled in December that the farmers were entitled to A federal judge ruled in December that the farmers were entitled to compensation for the water they lost. If the judgment survives expected legal compensation for the water they lost. If the judgment survives expected legal challenges, the government could find itself forced to pay millions more for challenges, the government could find itself forced to pay millions more for efforts to protect endangered fish, the article said.efforts to protect endangered fish, the article said.

That instance would have implications across the West, according to the That instance would have implications across the West, according to the paper. Along the California-Oregon border, for example, a similar court case paper. Along the California-Oregon border, for example, a similar court case could leave the government with a $100 million bill for water diverted from could leave the government with a $100 million bill for water diverted from farmers in 2001 for species protection.farmers in 2001 for species protection.

In the first decision of its kind, Senior Judge John Wiese ruled that the In the first decision of its kind, Senior Judge John Wiese ruled that the government's halting of water constituted a "taking" or intrusion on the government's halting of water constituted a "taking" or intrusion on the farmers' private property rights. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution farmers' private property rights. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the government from taking private property without fair payment.prohibits the government from taking private property without fair payment.

Oklahoma Water RightsOklahoma Water Rights

• Combination of Riparian and Appropriation Doctrines Combination of Riparian and Appropriation Doctrines (like most western US states)(like most western US states)

• Owning land over groundwater or by a stream grants Owning land over groundwater or by a stream grants domestic use by Riparian Doctrinedomestic use by Riparian Doctrine– Household useHousehold use

– Irrigate 3 acres or less (for any purpose)Irrigate 3 acres or less (for any purpose)

– Water free range livestock at normal stocking rateWater free range livestock at normal stocking rate

• All other uses require a permit under Appropriation All other uses require a permit under Appropriation Doctrine Doctrine (OK Water Resources Board) (OK Water Resources Board)