DESCRIPTION
Chelan County PUD owns and operates a surface water irrigation system which delivers water to seven (7) landowners through a pipeline and open channel system (circa 1909) located between Entiat River Miles (RM) 1.49 and 3.45. The system diverts 4.52 cfs in the mainstream Entiat River, while actual water need has been established at 2.24 cfs. Additionally, 8-9 cfs savings will be realized along the 0.15 mile long diversion structure. Objectives of this project are to decommission the PUD irrigation pipeline and delivery system, upgrade to modern and efficient delivery systems located closer to the point of use (creating water savings), improve lower Entiat River instream flow conditions, enhance off-channel habitat conditions, and prevent juvenile fish entrainment.The project addresses water quantity and water quality issues, particularly late-season instream flows; helps to moderate stream temperature extremes and improves water quality in the lower Entiat; and facilitates salmon access to spawning and rearing habitats. Water savings from this project will be enrolled in or dedicated to the Washington Water Trust program.This is the continuation of a project that began in 2008. The original project assumption was that drilled irrigation wells, one for each property owner, would achieve the project goals. Wells have been drilled, and only three of the seven properties will have their irrigation water needs met by wells. The remaining four property owners have target instantane
Chelan County PUD owns and operates a surface water irrigation system which delivered water to seven landowners through a pipeline and open channel system (circa 1909) located between Entiat River Miles (RM) 1.49 and 3.45. The system diverts 4.52 cfs from the mainstream Entiat River for irrigation, while actual water need was identified to be 2.24 cfs. With completion of the final phase, an additional 8-9 cfs savings will be realized along the 0.15 mile long diversion structure. Objectives of this project were to decommission the PUD irrigation pipeline and delivery system, upgrade to modern and efficient delivery systems located closer to the point of use (creating water savings), improve lower Entiat River instream flow conditions, enhance off-channel habitat conditions, and prevent juvenile fish entrainment.
Four property owners were removed from the ditch system and are now having their irrigation needs met by the 7 wells that were installed. This project addressed water quantity and water quality issues, particularly late-season instream flows. It helped to moderate stream temperature extremes and improves water quality in the lower Entiat; and facilitates salmon access to spawning and rearing habitats. Water savings from this project will be enrolled in or dedicated to the Washington Water Trust program. This is the continuation of a SRFB project number 07-1788 that began in 2008. The original project assumption was that drilled irrigation wells, one for each property owner, would achieve the project goals. After 6 wells were installed to meet the needs of 4 landowners, the remaining water needs will be satisfied by Phase III of this project and will allow for the decomisioning of the PUD Canal. Endangered Spring Chinook and Steelhead have been observed utilizing the current canal diversion which will be enhanced to create improved off-channel habitat when the canal has all user's needs meet from more efficient sources.
Fish Screening and Instream Habitat work were originally proposed but were amended out of the project. The $45,000 assigned to those items was reassigned to instream flow and additional $50,000 was added to the project for instream flow.
