News Release Archive

EA and FONSI Issued for Potholes Reservoir Supplemental Feed Route

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

For Release: August 02, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Potholes Reservoir Supplemental Feed Route which will increase the reliability of transporting water from Banks Lake to Potholes Reservoir, located about 22 miles south of Ephrata, Wash.

Reclamation's preferred alternative includes utilizing Crab Creek and Frenchman Hills Wasteway to convey water into Potholes Reservoir. The Frenchman Hills Wasteway route was selected due to the low cost of using the route and accessible land rights that are mostly owned by the United States.

The Crab Creek flow regime would require the annual release of up to 650 cubic feet per second from Billy Clapp Reservoir between approximately April 1 and June 30. The 650 cfs flow for this period would supply about 87,000 acre-feet during those years of spring flow only.

Potholes Reservoir is a key feature of the Columbia Basin Project and serves as a vital source of irrigation water. Potholes Reservoir has traditionally been fed water through the East Low Canal, but due to operational changes over the years, it was necessary to find reliable alternatives to supply a portion of the feed to Potholes Reservoir.

For additional information call Jim Blanchard at (509) 754-0226. The documents can be downloaded at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/wash/potholes/index.html. Request a printed copy by phone at (509) 754-0200 or pick one up at 32 C Street NW, Ephrata, Wash.

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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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/wash/potholes/index.html