Hyline Canal Piping Project

Background

Description of Work

Project To Date

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Background

This project is an essential step in making Hudson Bay District Improvement Company’s (HBDIC) canal system more efficient and improving instream habitat for fish. HBDIC has been operating since 1903 and some of its canals are among the oldest in Oregon.

According to an engineering analysis completed by HDR Engineering as of the Walla Walla River Diversions Habitat Conservation Planning process, the Hyline ditch was one of the most inefficient parts of the HBDIC delivery network.  HBDIC provides much of the irrigation water being bypassed for fish in spring and early summer.  This project along with other conserved water projects already completed will protect the bypass of 25/27 cfs from junior appropriation.  Also the canals’ tail water currently spills 1 to 3 cfs into a branch of Mud Creek, this project will eliminate this spill.

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Description of Work

The Hyline pipeline project when completed will replace approximately 35,100 feet of open canal and 21 open sumps with PVC pipe ranging from 36” to 8” in diameter. Total acres served = 1294. Of these 1294 acres, 995 acres have 1903 water rights. HBDIC has 9 permits ranging from 1903 to 2004, (the largest permit is the 75 cfs of 1903). At current flow, HBDIC only diverts approximately 60% of their appropriated water rights of their full rate of 16.8 and 11.2 gpm per acre as stated in our contract with our members. We regulate our members to a maximum flow of 8.5 gpm per acre.

Average flow in this canal is 10-12 cfs with a maximum usage of 26.5 cfs. All members serviced by this canal will be required by HBDIC to install flow meters on all pump stations. An 8” valve after the last pump station will remain closed during the irrigation season and will only be used to flush and clean this pipeline. By this design HBDIC will eliminate the need for tail water in the HY-LINE canal.

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Project To Date

As of October 2007 a total of 3,820 feet of piping project has been completed.  Funding has come from OWEB (1,800 feet), Walla Walla County (720 feet), and NRCS through the Alliance (1,300 feet).
 

More Hyline Pictures