The Yakima Phase II Screens Construction program is an extension of the Phase I program that corrected fish passage conditions at about 16 major diversions in the Yakima River Basin. The Northwest Power Planning Council (now the Northwest Power and Conservation Council) authorized Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to provide funding for Phase II screens through the Fish and Wildlife Program.  BPA asked the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to plan, design, and supervise construction of the Phase II projects.

Fish screens at 36 of the Phase II diversion sites have been modified or rebuilt by BOR since construction was started in fiscal year 1992.  Most of these sites were funded by BPA. The Yakima-Tieton screens were funded by BOR.  In addition, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Yakima Screen Shop has modified or replaced about 8 smaller Phase II screens.  Eight sites have been eliminated from the program due to changed agricultural practices and apparent abandonment.  Another 8 sites have been proposed for transfer to the Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program (YTAHP) and three sites in the Teanaway basin were combined in a consolidated pumping plan.  Two sites have been delayed indefinitely.  Of the original sites, only the Fogarty Ditch fish screen remains to be constructed under the Phase II program.

The upper portion of Fogarty Ditch lies within the floodplain and provides rearing habitat for juvenile fish from the headgate to the point where Fogarty Ditch splits from Sorenson Creek. At this point, Fogarty Ditch leaves the floodplain and contours onto the river terrace with the habitat character of a typical upland, earthen canal with little value for fish. In contrast, Sorenson Creek meanders through the flood plain and provides good habitat for salmonids to its confluence with the Yakima River.  The fisheries agencies, the Yakama Nation, BOR, and BPA determined that the needs of both water users and fish would best be served by managing the Upper Fogarty Ditch/Sorenson Creek system as an open channel with unimpeded fish access and the Lower Fogarty Ditch as a screened canal.

The site for construction of the new Fogarty Ditch Fish Screen is located about one mile downstream from the existing screen at the Fogarty Ditch/Sorenson Creek split. In addition to the main fish screen, some additional improvements are being implemented on Upper Fogarty Ditch and Sorenson Creek. BOR is designing and building the civil works for the main fish screen. The Kittitas County Conservation District is working with individual water users to install individual pump screens, pipe small ditches, replace culverts, remove barriers, and complete other habitat improvements under the YTAHP program. WDFW is fabricating the drum screens, gantry, and other metal work for the main fish screen and is working with the water users to develop appropriate permits to allow necessary channel maintenance that will be compatible with the fish protection goals of the plan.

Construction of the Fogarty Ditch fish screen will begin in October 2005 at the end of the irrigation season. BOR will administer the construction contract and supervise construction of the fish screen civil works, appurtenant features, and access road. When the civil works are completed, WDFW will install the drum screens, gantry, bypass control gate, and miscellaneous metal work. All construction will be complete and the screens functional for the start of the next irrgation season in the spring of 2006. In addition to managing the construction of the Fogarty Ditch fish screen, BOR will complete all outstanding O&M Agreements and Designer's Operating Criteria, and will prepare a Project Summary and Completion Report. BOR will also submit periodic PISCES progress reports and an annual report for FY 2006 accomplishments.