Reclamation Awards Grants To Local Districts

Earlier this week, the Bureau of Reclamation announced that two Columbia Basin irrigation districts have been awarded grant money to help conserve water.  The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District and Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District will split $600,000 in grants from the WaterSMART Program.

Reclamation said the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District plans to surround 8,750 feet of the earthen canal with concrete lining over a geomembrane liner to address seepage. That project is expected save 1,657 acre-feet annually.

The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District will look to convert 17,124 feet of earthen canals to polyvinyl chloride pipelines, which is expected to address seepage and evapotranspiration.  The project is expected to result in water savings of 882 acre-feet annually.

Reclamation added both projects should wrap up in less than two years.

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