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Oklahoma Senate
Senate Republican Rural Caucus Pledges Support for Southwest OK Water Project
Rural Republican state senators Wednesday pledged their support for a proposed $150,000 state appropriation to provide vital assistance to increase the delivery of water to southwest Oklahoma’s Lugert-Altus Irrigation District.
Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, the chairman of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus, said the appropriation to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board would be earmarked for vitally important projects to stretch water supplies in the region.
“These funds are a direct result of the past, present, and future commitment of the Water Resources Board and members of the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District to improve the efficiency of their water delivery system,” Laughlin stated.
“Ensuring an adequate water supply for the future is key to attracting new jobs and industry to southwest Oklahoma,” stated Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton.
“Agriculture in much of southwest Oklahoma depends heavily on the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District for its water supply, making this issue of vital interest to rural senators,” stated Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha.
Since the late 1940s, when the Bureau of Reclamation completed construction of Lugert-Altus Reservoir and its associated 45,000-acre irrigation region, the District has been an invaluable component of Oklahoma’s agricultural economy.
Lugert-Altus Reservoir provides water supply for more than one-half of the state’s cotton crop. In a typical year, more than 100,000 bales of cotton worth $35 million dollars are produced, generating a total economic impact of $220 million to Jackson County alone.
More than 300 miles of canals and lateral water lines tap Lugert-Altus Reservoir, which supply more than 43 billion gallons of water each year. In some years, however, this crop watering causes stress on the lake, dropping the reservoir’s level to one-third or less of its capacity. Low lake levels also influence recreation and other uses at the reservoir, which is home to a popular state resort and park at scenic Quartz Mountain.
Tom Buchanan, the manager of the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, has arranged for several current and past water supply studies conducted by the OWRB and Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate multiple options through which the District could both conserve and increase its water supply. Results of a Bureau appraisal study on water resource problems and needs confronting Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, released in April, identified the following options to increase supplies:
Reuse of municipal wastewater for irrigation;
Reservoir construction above Lugert-Altus Reservoir for sediment control and additional capacity;
Downstream reservoir construction;
Improvements in the hydraulic connection (pool at Lugert-Altus Reservoir);
Improving system controls that drive irrigation deliveries; and
Determining the feasibility of chloride (salt) control on the Elm Fork River as an additional source of water supply.
“Members of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus are proud to join the efforts of Sen. Kerr and Rep. Braddock on this issue. It is important for rural legislators in both parties to stand up for rural Oklahoma,” said Laughlin.
More than a third of the state Senate’s 22 Republicans represent predominantly rural districts and are members of the Senate Republican Rural Caucus.
