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County staff: Golden Valley Improvement District has 402 unassigned allocations and ADWR recognizes additional capacity
Summary
Public-works staff told the Board that Golden Valley Improvement District (GVID) has about 402 unassigned water allocations under its ADWR-approved supply and that ADWR has also recognized roughly 950 acre-feet/year of additional capacity intended for projected future demand.
Public works staff told the Mohave County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 that Golden Valley Improvement District (GVID) currently has approximately 402 unassigned water allocations under the district's original Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) determination, and that ADWR identified an additional approximately 950 acre-feet per year as available for future projected demands.
Why it matters: The number of unassigned water allocations determines how much new development GVID can serve without additional ADWR action or new water infrastructure. The availability of ADWR-recognized additional supply affects developer proposals, such as the proposed Dorado subdivision, and county land-use planning.
What staff said
- Historical determinations: In 1991 ADWR determined an adequate supply of 1,400 acre-feet per year for GVID. Using the district's 200-gallon-per-day allocation metric (one allocation = 200 gpd), that 1,400 ac-ft/yr translated to roughly 6,200 service allocations; staff reported that 402 of those allocations remain unassigned and are available for purchase.
- 1995 ADWR order and additional capacity: A separate ADWR action in 1995 identified roughly 950 acre-feet per year of additional adequate supply intended for projected demand; staff said ADWR's records did not clearly document whether that amount was part of or in addition to the 1991 allocation, and that staff confirmed with ADWR in 2024 that GVID has a combined adequacy determination of about 2,350 acre-feet per year (1,400 + 950), subject to the district's internal allocation process.
- How the district can assign the extra capacity: Public works staff cited the GVID policy language (section 2.3) noting the district can require developers to pay for increased mechanical capacity (drilling new wells, building tanks, installing lines) when existing system pumping/storage does not suffice for new development. Allocation of the 950 ac-ft would therefore involve the district board and cost-sharing with developers as necessary.
Board context and clarifications
- Supervisor questions: Supervisor Letman asked for a plain-language account; staff confirmed the 402 currently available allocations are immediately assignable under existing rules while the additional 950 ac-ft is recognized by ADWR but would require district action and potential system upgrades to serve new connections.
- Manager note: County Manager Alters said the 950-ac-ft figure is not necessarily the final limit; county staff understand ADWR can work with the county and district to revise/provide additional supply where justified and to match projected demand.
Ending: Staff advised the board that 402 allocations are directly available now and that ADWR recognizes roughly another 950 ac-ft/year for future allocation. The district board retains authority over how and when to allocate that additional capacity and may require developers to fund system upgrades.
