Bureau of Reclamation Grant: Methow Basin Diversion Renovation for Fish Passage and Irrigation

The Methow Valley Irrigation District (MVID) East diversion is located on the Methow River at river mile (RM) 44.8. The Fulton Ditch Company’s diversion dam is located at river mile 0.9 on the Chewuch River, a tributary of the Methow River. The MVID project is to provide a permanent diversion system for irrigation, to provide undisturbed fish passage, and to reduce water disturbance. The project will include piping, new headgates, fish screening, re-vegetation, and related activities.

The Fulton Diversion, Left Bank Repair project will address damage to the west embankment downstream of the diversion structure caused by sloughing of undersized bank material. This project will modify the existing rip-rapped west embankment just downstream of the dam by excavating undersized material and replacing with additional large rock on the bank. Disturbed areas landward of the embankment will be restored following completion of repair efforts.

The public purpose of stimulation served by this funding support is to ensure that these shovel ready projects are implemented as quickly as possible. Although MSRF had previously secured partial funding for these projects, design changes resulting from agency/permitting review resulted in increased costs that exceeded secured funding. This funding gap would have required a delay in project implementation for both projects. Permitting requirements and operational restrictions limit the in-water construction window to the period between mid-September and the end of December at both sites. A gap in project funding would result in delay of at least one full year.

Implementation of these projects in 2009-10 using support from the Recovery Act will result in immediate job creation at each project site and will prevent escalation of costs due to increased material costs should the project be delayed.