News Release Archive

Minidoka Southside Canal access restricted

Canal headgate maintenance begins March 5

Media Contact: Dave Walsh, 208 378-5026, dwalsh@usbr.gov

For Release: February 20, 2018

RUPERT, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that public access to the Southside Canal headgates at Minidoka Dam will be restricted beginning March 5 until April 15 for maintenance on the canal headgates.

During this period, anglers and the recreating public can still access the dam immediately north and south of the headgates outside the construction zone perimeter. Also, public access to the Minidoka spillway area and Bishop’s Hole will not be impacted.

“We ask the public to respect signage and barriers while our crews perform replacement work on the canal headgates,” says Upper Snake Field Office Manager Ryan Newman. “This work will assure regular water deliveries this spring.”

Reclamation will install four new supporting arms and gate reinforcements on the two radial gates that control irrigation water into Southside Canal from Lake Walcott, 12 miles northeast of Rupert, Idaho.

In 2016, heavy ice loading on Lake Walcott caused one of the Southside Canal gate arms to buckle. A temporary repair was performed. The repairs scheduled in March will prevent future ice loading issues.

Reclamation is working closely with the Burley Irrigation District to assure that irrigation water deliveries are not disrupted.

# # #

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.