State Engineer Explains the 800 Acre-Foot Water Yield Review Threshold

The Wyoming State Engineer's Ground Water Division explained that an Industrial Siting applicant must initially estimate water use, but a formal water supply and yield analysis is not required through this process when anticipated use is below 800 acre-feet per year, approximately 260.7 million gallons. If the analysis is required, the State Engineer issues preliminary and final opinions with public-comment opportunities.

Horse Creek's actual annual water demand is therefore a critical number: a project below 800 acre-feet could avoid this specific water-supply-and-yield analysis requirement. That does not mean other groundwater, well, water-right or permitting requirements disappear.

Resident–State Engineer Correspondence