The Lacomb Irrigation District Fish Screen and Main Canal Improvement - Conceptual Design project will help to address limiting factors for resident and anadromous fish populations in Crabtree Creek, a tributary of the South Santiam River. The project will be located near the Lacomb Irrigation District diversion at approximately river mile 26.5 on Crabtree Creek, approximately located 20 miles east of Lebanon, Oregon. District infrastructure and operations contribute to downstream fish passage, streamflow, and water quality limitations in Crabtree Creek. The Districts fish screen facility does not perform as well as possible, particularly during high-flow and low-flow periods in Crabtree Creek, affecting downstream fish passage. The Districts Main Canal loses approximately 3.9 cfs due to seepage and evaporation in its first 3.5 miles, meaning that the District needs to divert more water than it delivers for irrigation use and hydropower production. This project will develop a conceptual design to: (1) upgrade the fish screen facility with a new intake, shorter screen, and new fish return to increase water velocity, reduce fish holding times, and improve fish return functionality to Crabtree Creek and (2) replace the existing open canal with a buried pipeline, minimizing water losses and creating opportunities to restore streamflow to Crabtree Creek. Farmers Conservation Alliance will engage with the District and stakeholders to ensure that the project will, when constructed, provide agricultural, environmental, and community benefits.
Farmers Conservation Alliance will lead this project in partnership with Lacomb Irrigation District.
