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Show 2 - ACTIVE TIMES - OCTOBER 15, 1995 WATER STUDY TO BE EXTENDED AND EXPAN DED For the past four years, the Utah Division of Water Rights (DWR) has been conducting a water quality and water budget study in Castle Valley. It bégan with an inquiry by the Town in 1990, first to the USGS, and then to the DWR. The DWR had for some time search capabilities and be able to do its FIRE DEPARTMENT— own advance water modeling, and is pleased with the cost effectiveness and results it has achieved to date in Castle Valley. DWR’s satisfaction is due in no Structural Fires We always have a good turnout of citizens to help when we have a fire in Castle Valley. With a little caution and small part to the level of cooperation they have received from property owners here. With little effort, they were direction, they provide a good team to extinguish grass and brush fires. able to find wells all over the valley for differdnt problem. Both types of fire re- testing. What they have in mind now is something much bigger, which will re- quire that the extinguishing agent be placed on the base of the fire. On the quire more test wells. One important brush or grass fire, that point is obvious. On a structural fire, we are faced with a roof. walls and windows that are However, a structural fire is an entirely been specifically interested in better understanding the water situation in Castle Valley, and was generally interested in developing its own capabilities for gathering data and modeling watersheds around the state. Funding for such a study was limited, but it was agreed that the DWR would commit to three years of gathering water quality and aquifer data, which it would fashion the entire valley. To create such a map, specifically designed to keep our most DWR staff would like to take water level measurements and quality samples common extinguishing agent, water, from every well in the valley that can be made available. They hope to make two such measurements'in the next At some point we have to go inside and into a preliminary report that could be used as the basis for a more comprehensive study if funding was available. It one during the off season. It would be hard to overstate how valuable such information could be to was hoped that this was the beginning of something that might someday help us determine the sustainable size of the any water supply and watershed protection efforts that the community might Castle Valley aquifer, and the water migration and water quality patterns with— in the watershed. Since late 1991, DWR staff have goal for this next phase of the study is the creation of a ground water map of year, one during irrigation season, and want to undertake. With that in mind, I believe it is in our interest to have the most comprehensive data available to create such a map. I will in the next been making regular visits to Castle month be mailing a letter to all proper— ty owners who have wells, requesting Valley. They have been taking water permission for DWR staff to visit their level measurements in 13 wells, water property on future dates to be an- quality samples from 13 other wells, measuring the flow of Castle Creek, nounced and take measurements of both the water level and the specific conduc- and doing other research to help deter- tivity of the water. Please read the let- mine what the water withdrawls current- ter, and return the permission slip if ly are in the Valley. At the end of 1994, I was informed by the DWR that they intended to extend the study for one more year. Shortly after that, a public meeting was held where Utah State Engineer Robert Morgan and DWR staff from the regional office appeared you would like to participate in the ex— panded water study, and please call me at any time if you have any questions. John Groo to discuss the study to date, and to dis- done, including samplings from the water quality wells that were tested for the presence of bacteria (coliforms). I recently received a very pleasant surprise in the form of a phone call from the regional DWR office in Price. They informed me that they want to extend the study even further, and that they are interested in doing more inten— sive research than had been initially contemplated. In fact, at a recent meet- ing of senior DWR staff convened to discuss and establish research objectives, the Castle Valley study was placed at the top of the priority list. I’m First skill: Drive a truck capable of delivering an effective fire stream to the burning building and place it where it will do the most good. Second skill: Engage the trucks pump, set it to deliver a specified pres- sure and maintain that pressure. Third skill: Connect a foam injection pump in the hose line and set it to deliver a specified concentration. (This makes the water more effective.) Fourth skill: Put on full protective clothing and equipment. (Four required) Fifth skill: Ventilate by cutting a hole in the roof, or by positive pressure. (Ihese actions carry heat and smoke away from the people making try.)Sixth skill: Locate the fire and get water on its base. This might be through a window if the fire is open to attack there, or by entering a door and Seventh skill: This is called over- Siri Sent returns to Castle Valley haul. Once the fire appears to be out it Kundalini Yoga probably isn’ t. We have to start in the fire area and hunt for the places where it is still burning in the walls, the ceil- combines exercise, mantras & meditation that balance and charge your energy centers to help you experience your own strength and radiance. ing, and smouldering in the insulation. Eighth skill: Co—ordinate the foregoing operations in such a way that the objective is met and no one is hurt. The number of people who turn out 7PM - 8:30PM Friday,0ct. 27, 1995 279 Pope Lane, Castle Valley (lower Pope Ln., last place on right) Fee: $7.00 For more lnfonnatlon or to register: Jayne 259-8262 not exactly sure why, but apparently DWR wants to further expand its re- safely put out the fire. The alternative is a lost building. This requires some specific skills. going through the building to find it. tribute a draft report of the data gathered. In 1995, more testing has been away from the interior of the building. when we have a fire proves that we have enough interested citizens to develop the skills and get the turnout needed at a structural fire. Unless the citizen can effectively handle several of the skills listed above, he or she can help work the periphery of the fire, but can- not help with the primary goal of saving the structure. They can begin build— ing those skills by attending our train No previous experience needed. |