News Release Archive

Reclamation Open House to Explain Potholes Supplemental Feed Study

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Jim Blanchard, jblanchard@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 28, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation will host a public open house on May 16 to explain a plan to study supplemental methods to increase the reliability of transporting water from Banks Lake to Potholes Reservoir about 22 miles south of Ephrata, Wash.

The open house will be held at Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office located at 32 C Street; from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Reclamation will explain the plan of study for a supplemental feed route for Potholes Reservoir which is impounded by O'Sullivan Dam.

"This study is not related to other publicized studies dealing with potential new water storage or aquifer issues in the Columbia Basin Project," said Jim Blanchard, Reclamation Special Projects Officer. "We are focusing mainly on finding new ways to utilize existing infrastructure or natural topography to convey water to Potholes Reservoir."

Included in the study is the understanding that some additional facilities may need to be constructed, but the scope of the study is limited to the physical area of the Columbia Basin Project from Billy Clapp Reservoir to Moses Lake.

Topics to be covered at the open house include: National Environmental Policy Act requirements, water modeling, land use issues, biological concerns, and overall project management. Potholes Reservoir is a reliable supply of water for the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District. Return flows from irrigation on the northern half of the Project are captured in Potholes Reservoir and used to supply land in the south half of the Project.

Improvements in irrigation efficiency in the northern half of the Project have led to lower returns and a commensurate increased need for feed improvements. As a result, the ability of Reclamation to reliably fill Potholes Reservoir is decreasing and must be increased by use of a supplemental feed route.

Interested persons with special needs should contact Jim Blanchard at least one week before the scheduled meeting so that arrangements can be made.

The public will have an opportunity to speak directly to officials involved in the study and provide input to Reclamation's effort, said Blanchard.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.