Chewuch Canal & Fulton Canal Joint Study

The Chewuch Canal Company and Fulton Canal, in a joint cooperative effort, used this funding for an engineering study to develop and prioritize cost-effective alternatives for improving fish habitat and fish passage on the Chewuch River, a major tributary of the Methow River (WRIA 48). The Chewuch River has been identified as an important habitat by NMFS and WDFW, for three listed species: the endangered Spring Chinook Salmon, Upper Columbia Steelhead and the threatened Bull Trout. The Canals contracted with IRZ Consulting LLC to implement this project, which included ground work (field audits, seepage tests, evaluation of canals condition, field locations of pump exchanges, aerial photos). This groundwork was combined with work donated by CBC and others to give a comprehensive view of the historical and current use of the canals.

The completed plan includes: Background and History, Description of Company Facilities, On-Farm Audits, Canal Seepage Tests, 2001 Water Diversions, Aerial Infrared Survey, Assessment of Measurement and Control Structures, Potential Conservation Measures and Alternative Water Resources. This Conservation Plan has allowed the Chewuch Canal Company and Fulton Canal to determine the options open to them to decrease water withdrawn from the Chewuch River during critical stages of salmon life cycles, such as lining or piping those areas of canals that lose the most water.

The goal of the project is to increase and/or maintain adequate flows for wild salmon. The objective of the project is to reduce over appropriation of water in salmon bearing streams.