News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards Nine WaterSMART Grants in the Pacific Northwest

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

For Release: May 29, 2013

BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation’s Pacific Northwest Region will distribute WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to fund nine water conservation projects in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Reclamation will fund $5.8 million of a cost-share program totaling $21 million for projects in all three states which are expected to be completed within three years.

This funding follows an announcement from Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor that 44 projects in 11 states will receive $20.8 million from the WaterSMART program.

Projects in the Pacific Northwest Region include:

Idaho

Idaho Water Resource Board, Provide Flow Measurement Devices to Delivery Points

Reclamation Funding: $153,837 Total Project Cost: $341,859

· The Idaho Water Resource Board will install flow measurement devices and remote monitoring equipment at 22 diversion sites to improve water management in an area where water users do not currently have the capacity to measure diversions accurately. Once the project has been completed, water users will be able to ensure that diversions precisely match water rights, thereby avoiding any excess deliveries in a basin where water demands for irrigation and hydropower generation must be balanced. The project is expected to result in water savings of 5,014 acre-feet each year, which will remain in the Snake River.

Twin Falls Canal Company, Kinyon Pond Re-regulation Reservoir

Reclamation Funding: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $1,565,805

· The Twin Falls Canal Company in Idaho will construct a 200 acre-foot capacity re-regulating reservoir and will install a new concrete check structure and other improvements so that water currently lost to spills can be captured for use within the system. The project is expected to result in water savings of 13,500 acre-feet annually by reducing the amount of water needed within the system to make deliveries to growers.

Oregon

Central Oregon Irrigation District, Juniper Ridge Phase II Piping Project

Reclamation Funding: $1,500,000 Total Project Cost: $6,531,166

· The Central Oregon Irrigation District will convert 4,500 linear feet of the Pilot Butte canal to spiral wound, coated steel pipe, an improvement expected to result in water savings of 2,552 acre-feet each year. Through a partnership with the Deschutes River Conservancy, 2,000 acre-feet of conserved water will be allocated as a permanent instream flow to support water quality and habitat improvements in a reach of the Crooked River that is critical for endangered Middle Columbia Steelhead. The remaining 552 acre-feet of conserved water will be allocated for permanent instream flow in the middle Deschutes River. The District estimates that 543,343 kilowatt hours of energy savings annually will result from reduced pumping and also estimates that completion of the project will allow for as much as 3,727,545 kilowatt hours of additional power generation annually from the existing Juniper Ridge Hydroelectric Plant.

Vale Oregon Irrigation District, Willow Creek Pipeline Project

Reclamation Funding: $1,258,200 Total Project Cost: $2,516,400

· The Vale Oregon Irrigation District will convert 61,439 linear feet of lateral canals to enclosed pipe to address seepage losses. The project is expected to result in 5,450 acre-feet of water savings annually, which will remain in Beulah Reservoir, benefitting threatened bull trout. Completion of a new pressurized system is expected to facilitate steps by landowners to convert from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation in the future.

Talent Irrigation District, Jasmine Water Conservation Project

Reclamation Funding: $205,643 Total Project Cost: $411,287

· The Talent Irrigation District in Oregon will convert 1.3 miles of the open Talent Canal to pipelines to address seepage losses. This project is the last phase of an overall conservation project to pipe the lower 4.9 miles of the Talent Canal. The project is expected to result in water savings of 792 acre-feet annually. Conserved water will be stored in nearby reservoirs to enhance deliveries and make more water available for future use.

Washington

Kennewick Irrigation District, Ethylene Propylene Diene (EPDM) Canal Lining and Water Conservation Project

Reclamation Funding: $1,500,000 Total Project Cost: $6,975,357

· The Kennewick Irrigation District in Washington will line 14.6 miles of existing earthen canal with a geomembrane liner, an improvement expected to result in water savings of 1,759 acre-feet annually. A portion of the water conserved as a result of the project will remain instream for additional fishery habitat in the Yakima River Basin, with remaining water savings used to shore up supplies during periods of shortage. The District also estimates that the project will result in energy savings of 228,459 kilowatt hours through a reduction in pumping requirements.

Roza Irrigation District, Enclosed Conduit Project Pump 7

Reclamation Funding: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $1,428,014

· The Roza Irrigation District in Sunnyside, Washington will complete the next phase of its ongoing water efficiency effort by converting 7.6 miles of lateral canal to pipeline and installing advanced flow meters to allow for better monitoring of deliveries. Conserved water will be stored in reservoirs to supplement existing water supplies for future needs or will remain in the Yakima River. Through completion of the project, the District is working to implement one of the adaptation strategies identified in the WaterSMART Basin Study completed in 2011 for the Yakima River Basin. The project is expected to result in water savings of 687 acre-feet annually by addressing current losses due to seepage, evaporation, and operational waste. The District also expects to reduce energy consumption by approximately 199,132 kilowatt-hours each year by reducing pumping requirements.

East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Installation of Conservation Pipelines – Othello

Reclamation Funding: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $743,240

· The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District in Washington will convert 17,590 feet of open canals to pipelines to address seepage losses. Conserved water will be left in the Columbia River or used to reduce existing groundwater pumped for irrigation to address significant aquifer depletion concerns. This project is expected to result in water savings of 829 acre-feet annually and is expected to lead to energy savings of approximately 463,000 kilowatt hours through reduction in the amount of water pumped through Grand Coulee Dam. East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Installation of Conservation Pipelines – Moses Lake

Reclamation Funding: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $659,032

· The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District in Washington will convert 18,039 feet of open canals to pipelines to address seepage losses. Conserved water will be left in the Columbia River or used to reduce existing groundwater pumped for irrigation to address significant aquifer depletion concerns. This project is expected to result in water savings of 791 acre-feet annually and is expected to lead to energy savings of approximately 441,000 kilowatt hours through reduction in the amount of water pumped through Grand Coulee Dam.

The complete list of projects is available at http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/weeg.

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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/WaterSMART/weeg