News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters depends on one vulnerable line for its water.
The water line that runs from the Pole Creek Reservoir approximately five miles from town crosses Squaw Creek twice before it hits town.
The line has been exposed by scouring waters several times and is vulnerable to a washout in one of the periodic floods that turn Squaw Creek into a torrent.
"We'd be in trouble" if that happened, said City of Sisters Public Works Director Gary Frazee.
The city plans to build a secondary line from the reservoir running west of the creek. Pine Meadow Ranch Development is required to run a water line to the south end of their property and the city has acquired easements to carry the line further south.
"The main purpose is to have a second feeder line into town in case Squaw Creek ever washes out our line," Frazee said.
According to Frazee, the project would require "almost a mile of pipe" to create the secondary line.
HGE, Inc., the city's engineer, is currently putting together plans to go out for bids.
Frazee said the cost of the project won't be known until plans are completed, although thumbnail estimates used in city discussions place the cost somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000.
The city will fund the project from systems development charges (SDCs).
"This is one of the lines that is in our SDC plan," Frazee noted.
The project cannot be started until July 15 due to easement restrictions allowing for a cutting of hay on Pine Meadow Ranch property before work begins.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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