Kennewick Irrigation District: Challenges to be faced head-on

The drought of 2015 reminded us how fragile our water supply is, and its implications are still being determined.

Today, a changing climate, growing and changing communities, competing political interests and limited resources are just some of the challenges that Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) and other irrigation districts face. KID is addressing these and other unique challenges head-on through proactive strategies that build flexibility into our water delivery system, and by tracking and engaging in state and federal rules and regulations on the horizon.

To meet this challenge, KID created the Land and Water Resources Department, which tracks such issues and policies that affect KID at the federal, state, county and city levels.

KID is a return-flow district, which means we receive the water returned to the river by upstream water users after the minimum target flow level is met at the Prosser Dam. Historically, this has been a valuable source of water to our customers during low-water years.

However, conservation and efficiency measures implemented by upstream water users, although valuable and necessary, are having an unintended effect on the KID water supply. The extent of that effect is unclear because, until January 2015, only simplistic modeling of the lower river had been done.

KID is now working with officials to complete more robust modeling in a timely manner.

To mitigate for loss, KID also is pursuing the electrification of the Chandler Pumping Plant. Chandler is operated hydraulically, which means that it requires 1.5 gallons of water to move 1 gallon of water from the river into the canal system. This is water that could otherwise stay in the river to help meet the target flow requirement, and to increase flows to an incredibly distressed stretch of the Yakima River during a drought year.

With the supplies of KID and its fellow irrigation districts in mind, KID is developing greater storage flexibility.

KID has begun building storage for district use, which may be called on during times of high demand to help meet customer needs. Recently, KID completed the 10-acre-foot Cherry Creek Reservoir, and we are now in the design phase of a 300-acre-foot reservoir near the Amon Wasteway.

KID is continually working toward improving its delivery system, operational strategies, infrastructure, technology and communications. Our crews have lined more than nine miles of canal this year for a total of 17 miles of lined canals. Lining keeps more water in the canal by reducing seepage into surrounding soil. Finally, the installation of 11 automated Rubicon gates provides improved efficiency through enhanced monitoring and directing of flows.

The district also implemented a watering schedule during the drought to help effectively manage the limited water supply. Urban water users create peak demands by accessing water at the same times. Peak demands can drain canals during low-water years. Empty canals require many hours to refill, causing water outages.

Scheduling water use spreads out demand, helps to flatten peaks and ensures more reliable deliveries.

KID communicated the necessary adjustments and changes to the schedule through a variety of media outlets, which helped make the schedule a success. In addition, the invaluable help of a supportive and caring community produced even greater results.

The struggle to ensure water for a growing community means actively protecting our water supply. It is a struggle that must be fought daily, and demands flexible and proactive strategies.

Working closely with our neighbors, KID will continue to protect, conserve and maximize our precious water resources in times of plenty and scarcity.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Kennewick Irrigation District: Challenges to be faced head-on."