Piping project draws fire from neighbors

Since 1888, Whychus Creek irrigation water has been running through an open ditch east of Sisters. If current plans come to fruition, it will end up in a buried dual 54-inch pipeline instead.

The small pioneering irrigation ditch was enlarged between 1891 and 1920, and eventually became the Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID) Main Canal, where it looks like a quiet and picturesque mountain stream flowing across 3.8 miles of sagebrush and pine.

The canal begins at the diversion dam in Whychus Creek and terminates in 80-acre Watson Reservoir, on the east side of Highway 20 near the Sisters/Bend KOA campground.

Because of the sandy soils and cracks in the native lava rock substrate that makes up most the geology of the Sisters countryside, about six cubic feet per second of water - and more through evaporation - is lost to irrigators and fishery projects. That amounts to around 7,500,000 gallons of water going somewhere else between April and October, water that could be used in the efforts to reestablish salmon runs in Whychus Creek.

Water saved through piping would also feed a TSID hydroelectric plant at Watson Lake. The energy generated by the hydroelectric scheme will be sold to Central Electric Cooperative and provide about $300,000 annual income for the district.

If the Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation and TSID - with the help of the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) - have their way, the piping project will save water for salmon and trout. The project would also keep the district from being sued by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries Service for more water to rebuild the salmon fishery. Farmers on the end of the irrigation canal may have enough water in dry years, and the irrigation district would be richer by $300,000 annually by selling electricity.

However, several residents living nearby and recreating throughout the project area do not want to give it a thumbs up.

Because of the scope and legal status of the proposed project, the Forest Service didn't believe it was necessary to have a "public meeting." However, of the written responses received as a result of the first announcement of the proposed project, several were adamantly opposed to it. To provide the opportunity for those voices to be heard, the Forest Service arranged a meeting last Monday at 4 p.m. where nine interested people were in attendance in the TSID main offices, adjacent to Walton Lake.

While the water-users were all in favor of the project, the most outspoken opponents were John and Vicki Hornbeck, and Guy Monte, all nearby residents and recreational users of the area where the main canal is located. Guy Monte questioned, among other things, the savings of water by piping the canal over that lost by seepage and evaporation from Walton Lake and other ditch losses in the District.

TSID Manager Marc Thalacker (who did not attend the meeting, but was in contact via speakerphone) pointed out it would be financially restrictive to line the bottom of the reservoir, and that piping the main canal flowing north from the reservoir was almost completed.

Vicki and John Hornbeck were opposed to the pipeline project because of the loss of the scenic values, and possible decline of native plants and wildlife when the project is completed.

"When it (the canal) is put into a pipeline, the scenic beauty will be gone, and will never return," Vickie said.

Her husband, John, reminded Bill Anthony, Sisters District Ranger, that there are hundreds of people who recreate throughout the National Forest land who cannot be notified of the proposed project, and will be shocked to see the canal flow buried in a pipeline.

Steve Pyke, another opponent to the project, voiced similar concerns.

Steven George, Wildlife Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, doesn't see any serious losses for wildlife by piping the main canal.

"Most of the deer and elk usage in that area is in winter when the canal is turned off," he said, "while in summer big game are up in the higher elevations where water is plentiful."

Monty Gregg, Sisters District Wildlife Biologist commented along similar lines:

"Putting the main canal in a pipeline will save a lot of water that can be used for renewal of the fisheries," he said. Gregg also pointed out the hardwoods (alders) now growing in the riparian zone supply habitat and food for small birds and foraging bats, but a blight hits the alders frequently, creating gaps in food production.

"The recovery of the riparian of Whychus Creek will provide adequate habitat and provide wildlife needs lost to piping the main canal," he said.

TSID and DRC figures estimate that by piping the main canal, not only will the 6 cfs loss be regained, but that, added to the already 14 to 15 cfs saved by earlier projects, will allow enough water to remain in the creek to help bring about the success of various salmon recovery plans.

"We can best reach these objectives by piping the main canal," Bill Anthony said.