Powder Valley Water Control District to Modernize Irrigation Infrastructure
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTH POWDER – (Release from the Powder Valley Water Control District) Powder Valley Water Control District (PVWCD) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon propose to modernize aging infrastructure to address water loss, water delivery reliability, and operation inefficiencies in the district. The proposed project is located in Union County and Baker County, Oregon.
By converting open-ditch irrigation canals into underground, closed-pipe systems or lining the District’s open canals, the proposed Powder Valley Water Control District Modernization Project could reduce conveyance and operational losses over the entire irrigation season and improve the District’s ability to efficiently provide water to its patrons.
The project is sponsored by Powder Valley Water Control District, with funding and technical support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon. Farmers Conservation Alliance is assisting with the planning process.
Public Meeting October 5
Members of the public are invited to provide input to help guide planning efforts during a scoping meeting, October 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the North Powder Rural Fire Protection District, 710 E St., North Powder, Oregon 97867.
Participants at the meeting will have an opportunity to learn about the proposed improvements and submit their comments, ideas, and concerns.
Scoping comments may be submitted through October 25, 2022. Comments may be submitted several ways:
- Emailed to powdervalley.wcd.comments@gmail.com
- Online at oregonwatershedplans.org
- Phone at (541) 716-6085
- Mailed to: Farmers Conservation Alliance, 102 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.
Following the public scoping period, project partners will develop a Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment. The public will have an opportunity to review the draft plan and provide additional input.
Once complete, the watershed plan will enable the District to apply for funding to construct system improvements through the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention program, also referred to as PL-566. Through this program, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments, and Tribes (project sponsors) to plan and implement authorized watershed project plans for the purpose of watershed protection, flood mitigation, water quality improvements, soil erosion reduction, rural, municipal and industrial water supply, irrigation water management, sediment control, fish and wildlife enhancement, and hydropower.
For more information about this and other irrigation modernization projects in Oregon, visit oregonwatershedplans.org or visit the NRCS Oregon public notice webpage.
