(The Lundy Ditch Piping Project south of Bend has modernized a nearly 100-year-old private irrigation system by converting approximately 4,000 feet of open, unlined ditch into a closed-conduit pipeline. The project not only benefits the water right holders and adjacent landowners but also sets a pathway for the further advancement of irrigation modernization in the area | Photo courtesy of Morrison-Maierle)
In Central Oregon, water reliability is economic reliability. With multiple partners and on a complicated timeline, the Lundy Ditch Piping Project south of Bend has modernized a nearly 100-year-old private irrigation lateral by converting approximately 4,000 feet of open, unlined ditch into a closed-conduit pipeline.
From the beginning of the project — consisting of a study, design plans and the acquisition of easements — through construction, the Lundy Ditch Project required constant communication and coordination among multiple partners and landowners. The division of duties with a clear understanding, specifically among the Deschutes River Conservancy, the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District and Morrison-Maierle, shows how multiple parties can create the best solution for landowners and irrigators.
Project Area and Background
The existing ditch crosses several properties, some with water rights associated to the ditch, some without. While the project is rooted in agricultural operations and the delivery of irrigation water, its benefits extend to adjacent landowners through a change in alignment that expands their usable lot space, and to nearby agricultural properties that demonstrate the benefits of an irrigation modernization project.
Before this project, the ditch meandered through porous volcanic rock and sandy soils, contributing to significant seepage and evaporation, with losses sometimes exceeding 40% of diverted water. The ditch also required frequent clearing, increasing maintenance for water rights holders. Private irrigation deliveries were not metered, leading to inconsistent on-farm delivery and conflicts among patrons.
Gains for Landowners and Central Oregon
The Lundy Ditch Piping Project not only benefits the water right holders and adjacent landowners but sets a pathway for the further advancement of irrigation modernization in Central Oregon in four main areas:
- Conservation of water while maintaining irrigation: Converting to a piped mainline delivery system allows each water rights holder to receive their water while preventing costly delivery losses.
- Lower maintenance disturbance: Fewer ditch cleanouts mean less time spent by water rights holders needing to clean the ditch, impacting neighbors and vegetation on their property.
- Clearer accountability and fewer disputes: Metering at the point of diversion on farms improves transparency, supports fair operations and will lead to fewer potential conflicts.
- A pathway to future pressurized service: The design can now support eventual connection to a fully piped Arnold Irrigation District Main Canal, positioning patrons for further system upgrades. Including the elimination of non-piped segments between the intake on the Deschutes River and the on-farm deliveries.
Partnerships Across Organizations
Like any community-driven infrastructure project, this effort benefited from a strong team from the start. The Deschutes River Conservancy, Deschutes Soil & Water Conservation District, Arnold Irrigation District, Morrison-Maierle and adjacent landowners all played key roles.
From navigating the complex world of grant funding, pipeline alignment, irrigation delivery location, installation contractor procurement and easement creation, the team worked together for the benefit of everyone involved.
Unforeseen challenges, requests for information and last-minute changes will always arise regardless of the level of pre-planning and a thorough communications strategy. Having a capable and solutions-oriented team was not only an enjoyable part of the project but also helped ensure nothing was missed and that no concerns were left unaddressed.
For more information on this project, Morrison-Maierle’s Natural Resources design team in Bend is ready to answer questions and discuss future projects of this nature and others involving water resources. Contact Jeff Saporito, PE, at jsaporito@m-m.net or 541-699-5440.
Jeff Saporito, PE, is a water resources engineer in Morrison-Maierle’s Bend office.
