Hydrosphere Resource Consultants

Projects by Discipline / Water Resources Planning and Management

Nebraska v. Wyoming, Interstate Compact Litigation Support

The Nebraska v. Wyoming case is one of Hydrosphere’s most diverse projects and illustrates Hydrosphere’s management expertise in complex projects that involve large-scale modeling efforts.  Hydrosphere was retained in 1990 by the Wyoming Attorney General to provide engineering analyses in support of interstate compact litigation on the North Platte River.  The dispute centered over the flows of the North Platte River and whether the distribution of water between the states comports with a Supreme Court decree entered in 1945.

    Hydrosphere’s initial assignment included:
  • Development and analysis of water supply and water use data
  • Description of physical and operational attributes of the North Platte water delivery systems
  • Development of operational models to support Wyoming’s defense in this interstate litigation

 

The models developed simulated a complex system of nine major reservoirs and thirty-six irrigation districts diverting in excess of one million acre-feet per year.  Input data required by the models include inflows, demands (irrigation, municipal and industrial), water rights parameters, evaporation rates, return flow characteristics, and reservoir / powerplant facilities. 

Hydrosphere’s original role grew considerably over time to one of management of a technical team consisting of more than a dozen experts. 

 

    In addition to our modeling work, we had responsibilities for:
  • Development of technical strategy
  • Coordination of work by other experts
  • Technical support in discovery and deposition
  • Strategic and technical support in settlement negotiations
  • Database management and graphics support for most of the experts
  • Technical document production

 

We provided expert testimony through deposition.  The case was settled shortly before trial was to begin in May 2000.  We continue to assist Wyoming in implementing the terms of the settlement agreement.  Work was completed within tight time constraints and at the high level of quality demanded in litigation.