The Methow Valley Irrigation District (MVID) East diversion is located on the Methow River at river mile (RM) 44.8. The present diversion dam has been identified as a partial passage barrier to listed salmonids and bull trout in the Methow Basin. Irrigation canal operations require annual excavation and placement of material within the active river channel to maintain adequate diversion volume to meet irrigation needs. This annual activity adversely affects fish usage within the immediate area of disturbance.

IMPROVEMENTS TO BE COMPLETED 2008 - 2009 UNDER THIS CONTRACT:

1.  Remove 2/3 of the width of the remaining existing wood crib diversion dam
2.  Complete excavation of the intake canal
3.  Renew elevation of existing wing dam with materials excavated from intake canal
4.  Revegetate wing dam structure
5.  Install debris exclusion boom
6.  Access road improvements as required

Objectives:

1. Immediate fish passage improvement
2. Reduce width of main river channel (improve width/depth ratio)
3. Increase reliability of adequate flows required for fish passage
4. Reduce annual disturbance to river from irrigation structure maintenance
5. Increase riparian vegetation cover
6. Reduce loss of woody debris by excluding it from intake canal (boom will direct lwd into the main river channel, where it will remain)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Completion of the barrier removal project will require work elements over a 3-year period, through multiple funding sources.

Improvements completed in 2007 under separate funding included:

1. Removal of the top 2 feet of the wood and rock crib dam structure
2. Placement of a temporary weir at the wasteway outlet
3. Preliminary excavation within the intake diversion canal

Improvements necessary to complete the barrier removal project, and planned for 2009 under rescheduled BPA funding, include:

1. Replace headgates (2)
2. Replace existing temporary wasteway
3. Extend and fortify wing wall
4. Complete revegetation
5. Improve security fencing

Preliminary engineering for these components is complete. Final engineering to be completed based on survey findings post construction and value engineering product completed in 2008 .