Kittitas Reclamation District North Branch Canal Lining-Phase II

Description

The Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) legislation (Public Law 103-434, Title XII) was passed by Congress in 1994 after a series of droughts curtailed water supplies for irrigation and fish and wildlife purposes. YRBWEP authorized Reclamation to fund water conservation projects to improve the reliability of the water supplies for irrigation as well as fish and wildlife enhancement. In 2013, the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (Integrated Plan) was completed by Reclamation and stakeholders to further the goals of the YRBWEP legislation. Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) canal modifications to reduce seepage and enhance tributary flows were specifically listed as priority projects in the Record of Decision in the Integrated Plan. Following the provisions of the Basin Conservation Program, KRD completed a Water Conservation Plan in 1999 and an addendum was completed in 2002 to address items suggested by the Feasibility Investigation Team. This included long-term rehabilitation of conveyance facilities, including South and North Branch canal lining, and north and south branch re-regulation reservoirs, and piping 67 miles of laterals. The plan with the addendum was adopted by the District in 2002. KRD has completed a portion of the south branch canal lining with 100% conserved water put into Manastash Creek. KRD also has completed a portion (Phase I) of the North Branch lining in April 2017 as identified in the 2002 plan. This Water Conservation Plan was reviewed and accepted for Feasibility Investigation by Reclamation and Ecology. KRD completed the Feasibility Investigation in March of 2015. Manastash Creek Investigation Report March 2013 identified implementation of future projects involving lining of canals, etc. to increase instream follows and enhance habitat. The study and implementation of its selected measures are authorized under Section 1207(d) and (e) of Title XII of the October 31, 1994, Public Law 103-434, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project. The funding requested would pay for the engineering services and construction of the remaining North Branch Canal Lining Project-Phase II. A feasibility study identified a high loss area of the North Branch Canal between Johnson Siphon and the Wipple Pumping Plant, a distance of 14,169 feet of the North Branch Canal. Installing concrete over a geomembrane liner in this section would conserve 2,773 acre-feet of irrigation water. The saved water would be delivered to tributaries of the Upper Yakima River (including Manastash Creek) from the KRD canal system under an agreement between the KRD, Bureau of Reclamation, and others including the Yakama Nation, which has treaty-reserved water rights for fish. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT The purpose of this project is to install a geomembrane liner with an overlay of concrete on approximately 14,169 feet (2.68 miles) of earthen canal prone to high seepage loss. The work will be performed on the North Branch Canal. With this Financial Assistance KRD will: •Perform all site preparation work necessary for site access and improvements. •Line canal walls with a geomembrane liner to prevent water loss. •Install concrete overlay to prevent deterioration and damage to lining to ensure 50 year life expectancy. •Secure all permits necessary to perform the work, including but not limited to, a water right permit, building permit, and conditional use permit or equivalent. •Solicit bids from contractors, negotiate contracts with contractors, and oversee construction of project. •Administer grants, pay contractors, and invoice project supporters. •Work with Federal and state agencies to monitor effectiveness of project.

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