In the early phases on the Davis Woodland Water Supply Project,
the timeliness for pursuing the existing area-of-origin water
right was critical. West Yost assisted in driving the application
through the process, including testifying at the hearing to the
State Water Resources Control Board. After this water right was
secured, additional water was still needed in key summer months
to address shortages due to Term 91 conditions.
West Yost began working with Conaway Ranch to get an early
start on developing a water transfer program, identifying key
technical and policy issues, opening discussions with DWR and
USBR staff, and holding preliminary discussions with potential
buyers.This successful transfer of 12,000+ acre-feet of water was
accomplished through savings of crop water consumptive use,
through a combination of land fallowing and shifting to crops
with lower water use. West Yost developed a
comprehensive Conaway Ranch land and water use plan based on farm
economics and practices. A key part of this project was
maintaining wildlife-friendly agriculture – a hallmark of Conaway
Ranch.
Due to increased demands, the City needed to obtain additional
water supplies to supplement two existing sources. West Yost
assisted the City with initial meetings with potential supplies,
initial water transfer assignment agreements, and follow-up,
leading to a 5,000 acre-feet annually (afa) of contract water
with an option for an additional 2,500 afa.
West Yost completed an evaluation of the water entitlements and
water resources, including both surface and ground water,
available to a 2,200-acre ranch in Sutter County.
West Yost assisted our client who was considering leasing all or
a portion of surface water currently used for agricultural
purposes on their property, but also wished to preserve an option
to develop the property for urban uses that would require a
reliable water supply. The client was also interested in the
feasibility of re-exercising its rights to water for 250 acres
supplied by an irrigation district and the potential for wheeling
water through the district’s irrigation system.
West Yost has extensive experience in water resources
engineering, and specifically in the area of market-based water
transfers. Additional select projects include:
