Wyoming Shelved Irrigation Water Loss Study
The Wyoming Water Development Commission canceled a project after failing to secure land access for all necessary measurements.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Utilities
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In September 2026, the Wyoming Water Development Commission officially shelved a study aimed at measuring water loss across local irrigation ditches. The project was halted because the contractor could not gain entry to all of the sites required for the survey.
Why it matters
The study failed to reach the statistical significance needed to characterize basin-wide water use in the Green River and Little Snake River regions. Disagreements among landowners regarding government access to their property prevented the full survey from being completed.
The Wyoming legislature appropriated $500,000 in 2023 for the water study, with over $400,000 awarded to Stantec Consulting Services for the project. However, the survey was cut short after successfully measuring only 12 of the 20 intended ditches.
The players
Wyoming Water Development Commission
This state agency is responsible for the planning and development of Wyoming's water resources and irrigation infrastructure.
Stantec Consulting Services
This global engineering and design firm provides professional services for infrastructure and environmental projects.
The details
The project struggled due to the absence of existing measurement flumes and the complex geography of multiple diversion points. While the contractor managed to complete some work, the final data provided no actionable insights for the broader region.
Timeline
2023: The Wyoming legislature appropriated $500,000 for the water study.
2024: The commission awarded $400,000 to Stantec Consulting Services.
April 2024: The contractor held two public project meetings.
September 2026: The commission reported the project status in Cheyenne.
Market Landscape
This local project follows the larger, ongoing efforts by the Upper Colorado River Commission to measure incidental water use across the Upper Basin. It highlights the difficulty of localized data collection in a landscape managed by the Upper Colorado River Commission.
The cancellation means that irrigation water efficiency data for these specific basins remains unavailable for local stakeholders and water managers. Residents should not expect new regulatory changes or infrastructure updates derived from this specific study.
The takeaway
The project serves as a reminder of the logistical challenges involved in gaining private land access for government-led environmental research. Future water management initiatives in the region may require stronger cooperation between state agencies and local landowners.
Further reading
For more information on state infrastructure projects, visit the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InsideClimate News.
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