Summary of Lower Colorado's Region Native American Program Highlights in 2005
Lower Colorado Regional Office, Boulder City , Nevada
Havasupai Tribe, Arizona (Permanent Waterline at Bar Four) : The Havasupai Tribe lives in a tributary canyon to the Grand Canyon . Traditionally, they lived in the canyon in the summer months and on the canyon rim in the winter months. When the Grand Canyon became a national park, the Tribe was confined to the canyon only. The canyon is only accessible on foot, horseback, or by helicopter (twice a week). In recent years, the Tribe has obtained permission to establish a new community, Havasupai Hilltop Bar 4.
Reclamation has previously provided assistance to the Tribe through the Native American Technical Assistance Program by funding the drilling and installation of a deep water well (and other projects) in the vicinity.
Water storage, treatment and distribution systems are needed to deliver the water to the community, which is still in the planning stage. Plans, designs and specifications for these water infrastructure features are important for the future efficient and effective use of the water resource Reclamation has assisted the Tribe in developing. The Native American Program is providing funding in 2005 for the Havasupai Tribe to obtain engineering design services for this project.
Funding for some aspects of the community development (roads, housing, etc.) has been obtained from BIA, HUD, IHS and other sources. However, this critical need for funding of planning and design of water resource infrastructure is being met by Reclamation's Native American Program.
When completed, the project will provide increased health and safety benefits to Tribal Members by increasing the availability of adequate quantities of potable water for domestic and agricultural use and fire suppression.
Zuni Tribe, New Mexico (Zuni Range Well and Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project) : The Zuni Reservation is located on the Colorado Plateau, which has a temperate, semi-arid climate and diverse topography. These conditions result in significant variations in the spatial and temporal occurrences of precipitation and, consequently, surface water availability. Over time, the Zuni have adapted their land uses and sustained themselves by knowledge of and respect for their water resources. Growth has triggered the development of water resources to meet the changing land uses. Nearly the entire population of over 9,500 is situated near the villages of Zuni and Black Rock, the center for community services. Besides expanding urban development, the 640 square mile reservation supports many land uses: farming, grazing, forest harvesting. These activities, when added to current and future fish, wildlife and recreational uses, place increasing demands on the Zuni's most valuable resource: water.
A Reservation-wide inventory of approximately 300 water wells has been conducted (FY2003-2004). The inventory included collection of information including, but not limited to: depth to water, water quality, pumping capacity, casing installation, depth and condition, current power source(s), aquifer utilized, etc.. The inventory provides a basis for evaluation of existing wells to facilitate decisions related to closure or abandonment, potential for rehabilitating or reconditioning, feasibility of conversion to more economic energy source, etc..
Based on the results of the well inventory, a number of wells were identified for closure / abandonment, renovation / rehabilitation or upgrading / modification by the Tribe. In 2005, the Native American Program funded these efforts which include, but are not limited to: rehabilitation of eleven range wells, including cleaning / improving the wells, replacing broken / obsolete pumping equipment and windmills with state-of-the art solar pumps and cleaning or replacing water storage tanks used by Zuni ranchers for livestock watering.
The Zuni are attempting to manage their groundwater resources in an effective, efficient and regenerative manner. This well and infrastructure renovation / rehabilitation / upgrade project was the logical ‘next step' toward accomplishment of the Tribe's water supply infrastructure goals and objectives. Funding of this work provided critical technical assistance support to provide some relief of the stresses placed on the Zuni Reservation's water wells and related infrastructure by the current drought.
Yuma Area Office
Quechan Indian Tribe Irrigation Conservation Improvement Project
NAAO technical assistance funding initiated an irrigation conservation improvement project on the Quechan Tribe's water conveyance system. Funding helped improve or enhance existing irrigation systems and provided a water conservation means for the reservation's water distribution system.
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Water Resources Boat Rehabilitation
NAAO technical assistance funds enabled rehabilitation of CRIT's Water Resources boat. This vessel is used to assess river conditions, perform maintenance, and water quality testing along various reaches of the river and in their main canal. This boat rehabilitation project will sustain on-going tribal river operations and maintenance programs, to include water testing, bankline assessment and stabilization, and upkeep of critical water measurement devices.
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Irrigation Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
NAAO technical assistance funds enabled CRIT's SCADA system implementation; which improved the accuracy of their water conveyance resources. Funding also ensured CRIT's focus for implementing improvements to their irrigation system and better irrigation efficiency, saving Colorado River water.
Cocopah Indian Tribe Riparian Restoration
NAAO technical funds provided for non-native vegetation removal which will conserve water and restore riparian areas along the lower Colorado River on the Cocopah Reservation, Limitrophe Division. These funds helped reclaim riparian areas with traditional vegetation (native species trees) that are used for cultural ceremonies and tribal practices. 160 acres along the lower Colorado River corridor were enhanced through non-native vegetation removal that included exotic trees and phreatiphytes.