Piping Lateral Canals in the Vale Bench

The Vale Irrigation District and the Malheur Watershed Council build upon past experience, in partnership with Oregon Water Resource Department.

The Vale Oregon Irrigation District (the District) has long been a steward of the water resources in Malheur County. Working with the Malheur Watershed Council, the District is implementing a project to pipe 10.4 miles of earthen lateral canals to optimize water usage and ensure a more reliable water supply for farmers.

Addressing Water Shortages

Water shortages have become a pressing issue for the District, particularly since the turn of the millennium. With reservoir levels dwindling and drought conditions exacerbating the problem, the irrigation season has prematurely ended in 10 of the past 17 years. This has led to significant portions of farmland being left fallow, affecting both agricultural productivity and local livelihoods. OSU Extension estimates that about 20% of the land - 7,000 acres -  within the nearby area was left fallow in 2015. Cropping patterns have changed as well; crops that don't require irrigation, or no late season irrigation, have increased. Extension estimates the conversion to these kinds of crops accounted for about 30% of the acres in 2015 (OSU Extension).  The vitality of the agricultural industry depends on a reliable water source.

Additionally, bull trout overwinter in Beulah Reservoir that supplies VOID’s irrigation water. Beulah Reservoir is formed by Agency Dam impounding water from the North Fork of the Malheur. The headwaters of the Malheur have some of the best habitat for bull trout where they forage and rear. There was a need to maintain water levels in the reservoir to protect bull trout, federally ESA-listed as a “threatened”. To protect bull trout, minimum reservoir depths have been established during the irrigation season. Since 2010 VOID has leased water to the Bureau of Reclamation to maintain 2,000 acre-feet carry-over pool. Strategies that reduce water withdrawals from the reservoir and maximize water-use efficiency on irrigated lands in the watershed are critical to sustain bull trout and irrigated agriculture in the watershed.

The Solution

The proposed piping project aims to mitigate these challenges by reducing water loss from seepage and evaporation, thereby optimizing water usage and ensuring a more reliable water supply for farmers. The Vale Irrigation District  average annual water supply is 87,000 acre-feet per year, and it is estimated there is lose of about 37% or 32,000 acre-feet. Most of the lost water is seeping into the ground and a smaller percentage is lost to evaporation.  The  District estimates yearly losses in the dirt lateral canals to be about 470 acre-feet per mile per year. By piping 10.4 miles of earthen lateral canals, approximately 4,896 acre-feet of water per year can be saved from lose by seepage and evaporation.

Piping lateral canals can also enhance water quality by facilitating the transition from furrow to sprinkler irrigation systems. This transition not only reduces water usage but also eliminates irrigation-induced erosion, safeguarding soil quality and overall ecosystem health. Piping the laterals also allows for some gravity pressure. This energy savings may be an additional incentive for conversion to sprinklers from furrow and flood irrigation. The gravity pressure will vary, depending on the lateral and the location, but it is estimated the highest pressure will be 100 psi. Sprinklers will enable water savings above the savings from piping alone.

These savings are crucial not only for sustaining agriculture but also for creating a carryover pool in Beulah Reservoir. By improving fish and aquatic habitat with , all species will benefit, even stocked fish. Recreational fishing in Malheur County’s reservoirs— including Warm Springs, Owyhee, Malheur, Bully Creek and Beulah- among others – draws many local and out-of-state fishermen and helps to increase county and local business revenues. The carry-over pool will enable the reservoir to fill quicker and with our increased water efficiency will empty slower. Although we do not have data yet, USGS has been studying the effects of the 2,000 acre-feet the District has left in Beulah as a carryover pool since 2010. We have not seen any published reports.

Project Implementation

The project was approved in 2022 and planning is currently underway. The engineering designs are nearing completion and construction will be spread over 3 years, starting in the fall of 2024. Construction will take place during the offseason to minimize disruption to irrigation operations. Each pipeline will be designed to accommodate maximum flows and pressures, with turnouts equipped with gated valves and flow meters for efficient water distribution.

Building on Past Success

This proposal builds upon longstanding commitment to water conservation and quality improvement of the Vale Irrigation District and the many partners in the area including:

• Landowners

• Oregon Water Resource Department

• NRCS

• Malheur Watershed Council

• Bureau of Reclamation

• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

• Oregon Department of Agriculture

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Pheasants Forever

• Malheur County Weed Advisory Board

 Since 2003, this consortium has implemented more than $15 million worth of improvements and over the past 15 years, the District has piped over 100 miles of open-earthen laterals, significantly reducing water losses and enhancing operational efficiency.

The ability to maintain a reliable water supply is essential to sustain farming and preserve the economic vitality of the community. By preserving water and enhancing irrigation efficiency, this project represents the continuation of critical investment in the management and distribution of water resources.  In the face of ongoing water scarcity challenges in the West, initiatives like this serve as local models for effective water management.

If you are a water user on the Vale Bench near the project area and are interested in converting to sprinkler irrigation, please contact the Malheur Watershed Council or NRCS to see if funding is available. Piping will affect Lateral 185, 195, 176, 192, and 188.