Wyoming Title 18 Chapter 5 Article 3 are the Subdivision Statues. These statutes address the need for a water plan when subdividing irrigated land. These statutes went into affect July 1, 2023. However, Wy Statute 18-5-303 is an exemption to the water plan which we are currently addressing. Water plans protect everybody.

Prior to 2023 subdivided irrigated lands has created many problems for landowners, water users, and the entity in charge of distributing the water. The following is a list of the most common issues:

• Improper irrigation management practices.
• Flooding of basements, foundations and sewage systems.
• Water Righted land with no access to deliverable water.
• Taking of water (usually through pumps) for lands that do not have Water Rights.
• Encroaching on easements without permits.
• Fencing off the water conveyance system Easements and ROWs.
• Builing structures and fences within easement boundaries.
• Building structures on top of pipelines and drain tiles.
• Planting trees on top of pipelines and drain tiles.
• Filling in ditches and drains.
• Throwing waste in ditches and drains.

Communication is key in avoiding these problems.