Dee Piping Final Design

Final designs for the Dee Irrigation District Piping Project were completed in the winter of 2011. As planned, the project will enclose the entire 4.5 miles of canal with 36” HDPE pipe. The new pipeline will follow the existing canal which will be excavated down one foot. Excavated material will then be used to cover the pipe and additional fill will be borrowed from the original excavation spoils. Up to 2,000 yards of fill may need to be imported. Sections of canal that are already piped (2,800 ft.) will be pulled, inspected, and reused if possible. Two of the tributary diversions (Alder and Deer Creeks) will be eliminated and restored using stream simulation techniques. A third diversion (Camp Creek) will be improved to capture 3 cfs and allow fish passage. A FCA horizontal flat plate screen will then be installed. The fourth tributary (No Name Creek) will also be improved to capture 3 cfs and allow fish passage. The DID main canal is screened downstream of the No Name Creek diversion so no additional screen is needed. Construction is planned to start on the diversions in June of 2012 and pipeline in October 2012. All work is planned to be completed by summer of 2013. Bids for pipe purchase and construction will be advertised in the winter and spring of 2012.

Restored flow in the West Fork Hood River will enhance rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon and summer steelhead and will improve passage to 20 miles of fish habitat in the West Fork Hood River. Water quality will be further enhanced with the elimination of sediment and spray pesticides introduced by open irrigation ditches. Improved habitat and water quality is beneficial to salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing and will benefit the aquatic organisms that make up their prey base. Elimination of tributary capture will reconnect these streams and increase available habitat for resident fish and other aquatic organisms.