Council Memo

Subject: Update on the Irrigation Point of Diversion (IPOD) Project

Dept: Public Works Department
Date: November 6, 2002 - Study Session
Submitted By: Paula Brown
Approved By: Brian Almquist

Synopsis:
Several months ago, the Council heard an update on the Irrigation Point of Diversion (IPOD) Project designed to help irrigation systems, improve water quality and improve stream flows. The project started primarily in the Little Butte Creek area of the Medford Irrigation District, and has now spread to Bear Creek and other irrigation districts. The project has been renamed the Little Butte Creek / Bear Creek Water Management Project (LB/BC-WMP).

Recommendation:
This is an informational item only. Steve Mason of the LB/BC-WMP will provide additional information to the council and ask for continuing support by the City of Ashland. Staff has been involved with the project on the periphery and continues to be supportive of the project goals.

Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct impact for the City. The project is looking for federal financial support through Congress to assess project feasibility and provide funding for some of the project goals. Should funds be available, their impact will have a net positive affect on the City of Ashland for water quality benefits.

Background:
Three years ago an effort began to coordinate environmental and water quality issues with the irrigation districts. Beginning with the Little Butte Creek basin, the Medford Water Commission, thc Medford Regional Water Reclamation District and the Medford Irrigation District. The goal was to look at improving water quality and irrigation water quality in the Little Butte Creek area. This project has grown to include the Bear Creek basin and now includes Talent Irrigation District and Rogue River Irrigation District along with other interested parities. The goals remain the same; improve the effectiveness and efficiency without undue financial burden on the irrigation districts; and improve stream flows and water quality in both Little Butte and Bear Creek basins.

One of the efforts it to look at the irrigation flows and how those flows can leave more water in the streams. Discussions include piping irrigation canal reaches, increase water storage capacity in the reservoirs feeding the irrigation districts (Agate Lake and Howard Prairie) and the use of reclaimed effluent to suPplement irrigation flows. Ashland has discussed all three of these issues with the Talent Irrigation District and could benefit from the outcomes of the LB/BC-WMP. Of primary interest is the use of reclaimed effluent for irrigation and as a means to resolve the temperature concerns for discharge to the creek.

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