Pumping

Fall, 2009 Pumping: Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District did not pump wetlands for the early teal season. There are a number of factors that affect this decision. The primary one is the lack of funding. Funding for pumping is very limited and must be used where and when it will do the most good. During September, aquatic plants are still growing and the daytime temperatures can reach the 90's. Both of these factors cause great losses to surface water through evapo-transpiration. Past experience has shown us that on larger basins, the evaporation during the day can exceed the amount of water pumped. The larger the wetland the more surface area--accelerating the evaporation rate. Early pumping in some areas makes us subject to summer electrical rates which are higher than winter rates.

Wells were turned on at four WPAs in early October. They are Cottonwood, Funk (Peterson Unit), Johnson, and Harvard. All four of these have submersible wells which allow us to operate the well without daily maintenance of equipment. We are in the process of getting submersible pumps installed at Smith and Eckhardt. If the work is completed prior to freeze up, we will run those pumps to test them and provide water in the wetlands. The well on Clark WPA is being repaired using Nebraska Environmental Trust funds provided to the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture. If that well is repaired before freeze up, it too will be run for about a week to test the pump. A pumping list is available on this website.

Pumping in early November is a possibility, but again it depends on the level of funding the District receives. If pumping is done at that time, where we pump depends on a variety of conditions.

Deciding Where to Pump:

When pumping is done, which areas to pump are determined by a number of factors.

Wetlands that have some soil moisture in the wetland basin are given higher consideration. Wetlands that have been dry for long periods of time and have large cracks in the soil cause a large amount of the water pumped to go into the ground and does not benefit waterfowl.
Wetlands that have historically high use by waterfowl and recreationists are given more consideration. It is these types of wetlands that give the most benefit.
Good water distribution across the Rainwater Basin is important. We try to have water in wetlands scattered throughout the Rainwater Basin to ensure that water is available for migratory birds and recreationists.
Wetlands that have had recent management are more suitable for pumping. Grazed wetlands have more open area for waterfowl to use. The hoof action also compacts the soil allowing less water loss through percolation.
The size of the wetland helps to determine if a wetland is pumped. Large wetlands with no water are difficult to add significant water if the capacity of the well(s) do not match the size of the wetland. Pumping works the best on those wetlands when there is existing water that needs to be supplemented.
The cost per acre-foot of water delivered is also included in our decision. Some wells, because of the depth to water, the type of substrate, or the performance of the engine are more costly to operate.

In the Rainwater Basin, nearly all wetlands have been altered from their historical condition. Surrounding upland has been leveled, wetlands filled and drained, roads have been build, and pits have been dug. Each practice drained, diverted, or concentrated runoff water that once spread out over the shallow wetlands. The loss of surface water in wetlands forces millions of birds to concentrate on smaller and fewer areas. High bird concentrations stress the birds and increase the risk of disease outbreaks. Avian cholera occurs annually in Rainwater Basin, the record high was as many as 100,000 birds during spring migration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pumps water to numerous wetlands to ensure habitat is available and to reduce the outbreak of disease.

Drought and Pumping

The recent years of drought have had a significant impact on wetlands. Irrigators and users of groundwater are being asked to be more efficient with their use. The two goals we strive for with fall pumping is: 1. To make the limited amount of funding we have available go further, and 2. To try have at least a small portion of the water pumped in the fall available for the next spring migration. Warm days and nights allow for quick evaporation of any water pumped. Actively growing aquatic plants consume additional water as well. Usually by mid-September, light frosts have greatly reduced plant growth and evaporation. Our pumping normally begins in mid to late October. This does not help provide water for early migrants, like teal, but with limited funding later pumping is the best use of our dollars.

Spring pumping is delayed until early February. Heavy snows or spring rains can quickly fill the shallow wetlands: saving pumping costs. Because evaporation is not a problem, as with fall pumping, wetlands can be filled quickly. Pumping in early February provides habitat by the time large numbers of birds begin to arrive.

Wetland vegetation management, using livestock grazing, prescribed burning, and disking, is allowing more accessible (waterfowl habitat) using less pumping. The result is the ability to pump more areas with the same amount of dollars.

Submersible Pumps

We are slowly increasing the number of submersible pumps we have throughout the District. Submersible pumps are located deep in the well and require no daily inspection or maintenance. This allows us to turn on one or two wells without having to commit a staff person to monitor the pump. It also allows us to turn some wells on earlier or later than the others so we can be better prepared for unusually early spring migrations and to provide more shorebird habitat in the late spring. The submersible pumps are electrical--operating at lower costs. We currently have six submersible pumps. They are located at Harvard, Johnson, Clark, Funk, Mallard Haven, and Cottonwood WPAs. The Clark well is not operational in 2009; we hope to do repairs in 2010. In 2009, we hope to convert the pumps Eckhardt, Smith, and Massie to submersible units.

Pipeline_being_installed In cooperation with Ducks Unlimited, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, a large contract was awarded to bury PVC pipe on numerous WPAs and WMAs. This project was completed in December of 2003. A total of 14,325 feet or nearly 3 miles of buried PVC was installed on 12 sites on WPAs. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. handled all phases of the project including design, contracting, and on- site inspection. Prior to this project, water was delivered from the well to the wetland via open ditches--causing much of the water to soak away before reaching the wetland.

Last updated: October 13, 2009