Central Oregon Irrigation District - Smith Rock-King Way

Lead Agency: NRCS Oregon
Sponsoring Local Organization: Central Oregon Irrigation District (lead sponsor)

Project Description

The Central Oregon Irrigation District Smith Rock-King Way project aims to improve water conservation in 7.9 miles of District-owned infrastructure, improve water delivery reliability to District patrons within the project area, and improve public safety on up to approximately 7.9 miles of District-owned canal and laterals. By converting open-ditch canals into underground, closed-piped systems, the project will reduce water loss from seepage by an estimated 29.4 cubic feet per second, or 9,392 acre-feet annually. Water saved from the project will pass to North Unit Irrigation District during the irrigation season for agricultural use. In return, North Unit Irrigation District will release an equal volume of water into the Deschutes River from Wickiup Reservoir, protecting the water through instream leases in perpetuity during the winter for instream flows when it is needed most for fish and aquatic species.

NEPA Analysis

On July 9, 2020, NRCS Oregon released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Central Oregon Irrigation District Smith Rock-King Way Infrastructure Modernization Project. NRCS has determined that the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts to the environment.

Current Status

This project is in construction. Plans to modernize a portion of Central Oregon Irrigation District’s irrigation infrastructure were approved to move forward into construction in August 2020.

Project Documents

Contact Information

Gary Diridoni
NRCS Oregon Assistant State Conservationist for Watershed Resources
Gary.Diridoni@usda.gov