News Release Archive

Sunnyside Irrigation District Receives Commissioner's Conservation Award

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

For Release: May 16, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation manages and protects water resources throughout the American West, working in cooperation with others and recognizing those who stand out in their effort to manage water responsibly.

The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District (SVID) in South Central Washington has earned the Commissioner's 2008 Cooperative Conservation Award for its untiring and innovative efforts to conserve natural resources and water quality in the Yakima River Basin.

"The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District stands out as an excellent example of how mutual cooperation and partnerships can result in successful water conservation programs," Commissioner Bob Johnson said. "I am honored to present them with this year's Commissioner's Conservation Award."

SVID initiated a nine-year construction plan, cost-shared with Reclamation, to install 30 automated check drop structures, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA), and three re-regulation reservoirs located throughout the 60-mile water delivery system.

The district's efforts will result in an additional 52 cubic-feet-per-second of flow on a 62-mile river reach identified as critical for the survival of anadromous fish. Water saved through these improvements in their delivery system will also have a positive effect on the total water supply available for authorized purposes in the Yakima River Basin.

SVID is the largest entity in the Sunnyside Division of the Yakima Project, and encompasses all lands served by the Sunnyside Canal. The Sunnyside Division serves 99,244 irrigable acres and is comprised of three irrigation districts, two ditch companies, and five cities and towns providing irrigation service to about 86,500 acres.

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