The city of Casper could buy a reservoir near Lander for $4.2 million if the Casper City Council approves a resolution at its meeting tonight.

In order to make sure Casper has all the water it needs now and in the future, the city is preparing to purchase the Upper Rock Creek Reservoir in Fremont County and the reservoir's water rights.

According to city documents, the reservoir has a water storage capacity of approximately 2,800 acre feet of water, or about 913 million gallons.

The reservoir, located near Atlantic City and South Pass City, collects mountain water running off the Wind River Range. Rock Creek flows into the Sweetwater River, which empties into the North Platte River.

"The city of Casper is vulnerable in the spring to calls being placed on the North Platte River," said City Manager Tom Forslund.

Forslund said during past shortages, Casper has had to buy extra water from the Bureau of Reclamation or institute water restrictions in town.

"By purchasing these water rights, we will be able to assist these shortages, particularly in the vulnerable months of March and April," he said.

Forslund said Neil McMurry is selling the reservoir to the city at a discounted price, but his company, V.A. Resources, would still have recreational rights to use the reservoir for boating, fishing and swimming.

Forslund said state water rights are prioritized by age.

"These are very senior water rights, going back to the territorial days in the 1880s," he said. "This will be very beneficial for the community, not only for today, but for the future of the community."

He said if the council approves the purchase tonight, Casper will own Rock Creek Reservoir forever.

Elected and appointed officials have the responsibility as stewards to consider the present needs of a community as well as its future needs, Forslund said.

In other business, the council is scheduled to vote on an ordinance to allow a developer to build a 137-unit subdivision near Sagewood Elementary School. The council passed the Falcon Crest ordinances on two previous readings, but asked for a few changes before the ordinance came up for a third a final reading.

According to a letter from community development director April Getchius, Stone Crest developer Rob Geringer will pay $132,576 to extend East 26th Street to connect to McKinley Street. Geringer's company will also pay to construct drainage basins in the area to help mitigate the flooding concerns the area experiences during heavy rainfall.

At a city council meeting last month, the council decided to make it a top priority to extend East 26th Street and relieve drainage problems in the Eastdale Drainage Basin.

The city has hired the local construction firm of Worthington, Lenhart and Carpenter to construct the drainage and street extension for $241,300.

The city council meets at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Reporter John Morgan can be reached at (307) 266-0614 or john.morgan@casperstartribune.net.