2024.05.20 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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[204185/1] 10 a. White Bear Lake is hydrologically connected to the Prairie du Chien and Jordan aquifers. b. The model [from the U.S. Geologic Survey] demonstrates that a 30 percent increase in groundwater pumping (from the 2002-2013 average) causes White Bear Lake to fall by 1.5 feet. c. A 30 percent reduction in groundwater pumping (from the 2002-2013 average) would cause White Bear Lake to rise by 1.5 feet. d. The [U.S. Geologic Survey’s] findings are “conclusive proof that water from White Bear Lake is entering the Prairie du Chien Aquifer and is being pumped out by [DNR-permitted wells] in the area of White Bear Lake.” e. As a general rule, groundwater use increases in dry years and declines in wet years. f. The increase in use is primarily due to non-agricultural irrigation; that is, lawn watering. g. This non-essential use accounts for about 30 percent of annual (not just summer) water use in the northeast metro. h. To have an impact on the water level in [White Bear Lake] actual groundwater use must be reduced, not just the permitted amount, [because] not everyone pumps their total appropriation. i. Pumping from wells five or more miles from the lake does impact it. Mr. Grubb testified that five miles is the minimum range of impact, and identified a number of wells of that distance that had a “very significant influence” on the lake. Dr. Tonkin found a significant number of wells between 6-12 miles from White Bear Lake that had an impact, and Dr. Berg agreed that wells “far” from the lake can have “a significant effect” depending on their pumping rate. j. Ms. Ekman, from the DNR, calculated that by implementing an irrigation ban, the DNR could reduce use by as much as 25 to 40 percent. The DNR admits there is “significant opportunity” to reduce water use by targeting summer water use, and that “we need to find ways to reduce this dramatic increase [in water use] in the summer.