EAST COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT CONTINUES TO ADDRESS BREACH OF EAST LOW CANAL

The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) reported that flooding damage from the East Low Canal breach was not severe, the drainage is complete, and the surrounding soil stabilized. ECBID has confirmed that the breach did not affect the undershot culvert. Crews are now compacting materials to rebuild the canal embankment and will refill the canal when complete, then restore service. Refilling the canal is expected to begin on Saturday, August 10, 2024 with water deliveries estimated to begin the next day once canal reach elevations are reestablished. Below are the expectations for each canal reach which are subject to change:

• The Upper Reach above mile 23 wasn’t affected by the breach and water deliveries were not impacted.
• Below Weber Check at approximately mile 37 water levels were able to be retained and will only need to be topped off.
• Weber Check reach between mile 23 and 27 will require time to refill.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) reported that road closures remain in effect for Road N NE and Road 4 between Roads M and N Northeast.

The East Low Canal breach occurred on August 5, 2024 and led to the declaration of a Level 2 Evacuation notice informing those living in the area of 10000 block of Road 4 to be ready to evacuate at any time and road closures. GCSO reported that the water was going to be diverted to Moses Lake and the Potholes Reservoir. Lower Crab Creek will receive 3200 cubic feet per minute (CFM) exceeding its rating of 2200 CFM.

East Columbia Irrigation District water users will be primarily affected by the breach but water users from Block 18 in the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District are being encouraged to contact their ditchrider or watermaster for local operational information.

The Washington State Potato Commission has reached out to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) on behalf of area growers regarding an emergency disaster designation and declaration if area growers experience crop loss due to lack of irrigation.

Both the ECBID and the GCSO are providing timely updates through their Facebook pages.