Riverbend Water Resources District and the Sulphur River Basin Authority are collaborating on a volumetric and sedimentation study to be conducted on Wright Patman Lake.
Tuesday, Riverbend's board of directors approved a resolution to work with SRBA to conduct the study, which would determine the amount of water available in the reservoir. SRBA's board approved a similar resolution during their meeting last week, supporting Riverbend's conducting the study.
"We will administer the program and study with input and certainly we'll collaborate with SRBA," Riverbend Executive Director and CEO Liz Fazio Hale said. "The main thing is we need more data on Wright Patman Lake, and the data that is in existence today really shows a deficit in the volume of water available to meet future needs. We think some of that data is wrong and some of the data just needs to be updated."
The last volumetric and sedimentation study was performed by the Texas Water Development Board in 2010, with those results being released in 2012.
The new study is expected to cost up to $85,000. SRBA agreed to support Riverbend in the study for up to 50 percent of the contract price up to $50,000. Riverbend's board also voted Tuesday to allow Fazio Hale to put out requests for qualifications for the study so it can be completed as soon as possible.
SRBA has funded several in-kind studies to determine the volume of water and the extent of sedimentation in the lake that show varying water and sediment levels.
"A lot of times we hear the reservoir has denigrated by 39 percent," Fazio Hale said. "That 39 percent reduction in the amount of supply in the next few years is due to sedimentation but is also due to other things in our reservoir. The location and age of infrastructure, particularly the intake, is involved as well. This study will be conducted to see if the lake has enough volume to meet future needs."
Determining the amount of sedimentation within the lake is important, not only for the volume, but also in the placement of a new raw water intake, which is needed because of sedimentation around the current intake structure. Riverbend has been working with the city of Texarkana, Texas, one of its 16 member entities, to secure a location and permitting for the new structure.
The water district is also working to pursue additional water rights if Wright Patman is raised to the ultimate rule curve of 228.64 feet. It operates at an interim rule curve of 220 feet, which was put in place in 1969 under a contract the city of Texarkana, Texas, has with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If the lake is raised to the ultimate rule curve, an additional 80,000 to 100,000 acre-feet of water would be available for permitting. Riverbend's member entities have all passed resolutions supporting the water district pursuing these rights. The entities include Bowie, Cass and Red River counties, TexAmericas Center and the cities of Annona, Atlanta, Avery, DeKalb, Hooks, Leary, Maud, Nash, New Boston, Redwater, Wake Village and Texarkana, Texas.
"The 39 percent reduction in volumetric supply over the next few years is due to many factors," Fazio Hale said. "Riverbend is looking at all all those things. It's kind of a full court press of attack. Implementing the ultimate rule curve-this piece related to conditions, and the volumetric and sedimentation study is kind of the third prong of that triple crown. This will help us substantiate that our reservoir does have more available supply in it and can help out water needs locally and across the state."
Working together on the study is a move SRBA President Chris Spencer says will help unify stakeholders' efforts within the Sulphur River Basin.
"SRBA wants to partner with Riverbend on areas that concern Wright Patman whenever we have the opportunity to do so," Spencer said. "We think it's important to work cooperatively with Riverbend where we have mutual interests in the basin. We wanted to extend the right hand of fellowship to heal any wounds between SRBA and Riverbend. This is a new board and a new day."
Riverbend's next meeting and open house will be held at 12 p.m. June 27 at its offices, 228 A Texas Ave., New Boston.