The Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation assumed responsibility for prior work initiated by the Chewuch Basin Council, which disbanded in 2009. MSRF continuted to facilitate funding and implementation of projects to convert portions of several open earthen canals (Chewuch, Skyline, and Fulton) into piped systems, reducing the amount of water lost to conveyance and leaving more for fish in the Chewuch River.

Funding through this program completed conversion of the Skyline into a 6.2 mile closed pipe system, initiated installation of lining and piping in segments of the Fulton, and resulted in approximately piping of 2.7 miles of the Chewuch (saving approximately 4.3 cfs).

In 2005, Reclamation reached an agreement with the Chewuch Canal Company (CCC) on a Diversion Reduction Agreement. This agreement stated that the CCC, in exchange for compensation, would voluntarily reduce its authorized diversion when flows above the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers in Winthrop are below 200 cfs. Monitoring data indicates this agreement has benefited the Chewuch River with increased flow from river mile 7.2 to river mile 0.9 by decreasing the CCC diversion by approximately 10-15 cfs with a corresponding increase in stream flow.

Following development of an agreement between CCC and Washington Rivers Conservancy (WRC) in 2007, MSRF transitioned the Chewuch and Fulton efficiency projects to WWP-TU.