DESCRIPTION
This project will replace the Frazier Creek diversion dam with a rock v-weir and pipe its associated irrigation ditch. The Frazier Creek diversion dam and ditch are located on private property in the Beaver Creek drainage, a tributary of the Methow River in western Okanogan County. The transfer ditch diverts 5 cu. feet/sec. (c.f.s.) supplying water to private lands. The diversion structure is reconstructed annually from rocks, logs, and plastic and is presently a low flow barrier. The ditch is an unlined canal constructed in very sandy soils. Canals in similar soils have shown seepage losses from 50 -70%. Eliminating this loss represents a potential return to the stream of 1.0 - 1. 5 c.f.s. This project along with other efficiency projects (see Fort/Thurlow SRFB application, 2005 will substantially mitigate late season low flow issues in Beaver Creek. This project has been identified as essential to salmonid recovery in Beaver Creek by a SRFB-funded Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) planning effort. This voluntary planning and problem-solving citizen's group places a high priority on passage barrier removal and irrigation efficiency projects including piping
If funded, this project would renovate the seventh irrigation diversion and pipe the fourth ditch (and the longest) in the system in Beaver Creek.