Lower Reecer Creek Pipeline Project

The Lower Reecer Creek Pipeline Project is underway. Thayer Excavating LLC is the construction contractor and they began work yesterday. The project includes approximately 6,000 feet of pipeline and installation of a pump station. The work can be seen south of Dolarway between Reecer Creek and West Ellensburg Park. This is a YTAHP project, but the majority of the construction funds are from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

Cleaning the upper end of the existing ditch in preparation for laying the pipelines.
Removing the existing headgate structure and culverts at Reecer Creek.

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Annual Plan of Work

We have completed our Annual Plan of Work for the 2010 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010). The total expected budget for the year exceeds $4.4 million. This is a high number, but we are expecting several large projects to go to construction this year, including two large fish screen facilities in the Manastash and the Jack Creek and Indian Creek projects in the Teanaway.
You can view our 2010 Annual Plan of Work at http://kccd.net. Take a look and you'll see what a busy year we have ahead of us.
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Special Assessment 2008 Report

The KCCD's Special Assessment is an important funding source. This assessment was approved in 2006 and started in 2007. The funds are collected by the Kittitas County Treasurer's office along with property taxes and other assessments (e.g. weed districts or fire districts).

The 2008 Report of Activities and 2009 budget were approved by the KCCD Board of Supervisors. To view a copy of the Report and Budget, go to the KCCD web site at http://www.kccd.net/.
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Lower Reecer Creek Pipeline Project

Today was the pre-bid meeting for the Lower Reecer Creek Pipeline Projects. It was well attended by contractors from the area. Ryan Roberts, KCCD Engineer, designed the project and spent part of today in the field with the contractors reviewing the project requirements.

This project is expected to be constructed in June. It is part of a project to remove two fish passage barriers on Lower Reecer Creek and provide fish screens for irrigation diversions.

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May Projects in the Manastash

KCCD has collected stream flow and irrigation diversion flow in the Manastash for several years. The flows are up now, with the warmer spring weather. Sherry is working to keep the pressure transducers (they measure water depth every 15 minutes) functioning and accurate. She's looking forward to our seasonal technician Brent Dixon starting on May 18. He'll help with the data collection at the sites and the data entry and management.

Sherry is working with Ecology on the their stream flow gaging site on the Manastash. Their data is compared to the KCCD data collected downstream. The Ecology site sustained some damage during the January flood event. See the eroding streambank below.

A long awaited irrigation system project is also being constructed this month. The project allows the irrigators to efficiently deliver their KRD water in exchange for placing their Manastash Creek irrigation water in the Trust Water Rights program in perpetuity. The project should be completed by the end of the month.

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Firewise Workshop

KCCD helped with the Sky Meadows Firewise Workshop on May 2nd. Over 30 people attended. We explained to the group how KCCD has helped Sky Meadows in the past with their Firewise program. Russ Hobbs, Fire Chief of District 7 was on hand to answer questions and also demonstrated the use of foam for fire supression.

Thembi Borras and I conducted Firewise assessments to landowners who requested the service and passed out literature and cards to those who may request this service in the future. This Workshop puts Sky Meadows one step closer to becoming a Firewise Community. (SW)