Manastash Creek Restoration Project

A component of the Manastash Creek Restoration Project is collecting flow data in Manastash Creek and in the irrigation ditches associated with the diversions. In all, we have 19 monitoring locations that include a pressure transducer and datalogger. At each of these sites, KCCD staff measures flow every two weeks in order to interpret the water depth measured by the transducers.

Sherry Swanson, the Project Manager, does the majority of the field work including collecting the water velocity measurements along a cross section of the creek or ditch at each monitoring location. Sherry is assisted this summer by Brent Dixon.

Sherry and Brent are out this week collecting data. The flow as been relatively high for this time of year. Sherry and Brent are still using the bridge board at some of the monitoring locations at bridges. The bridge board allows them to use the flow meter without getting in the water. Flows should continue to drop significantly in the next week.

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Progress on All Fronts

The Lower Reecer Creek Pipelines project is progressing nicely. The majority of the 6,000 feet of pipe is in the ground. An associated on-farm project is nearly complete as well.

Installation of the pipeline between Rotary Park and West Ellensburg Park.

The Barnes Road Fish Screen Project, part of the Manastash Creek Restoration Project, is currently advertised for bid. The bids are due in early July and construction is expected to begin in October. An on-farm pipeline project associated with the Manastash Creek Restoration Project has also been completed. The project is integral to the removal of an abandoned structure that is a fish passage barrier. The project also resulted in a small quantity of water placed in the Trust Water Rights program in perpetuity.

The Jack Creek and Indian Creek culvert replacement projects are nearing construction as well. A second pre-construction meeting is scheduled for next week. The interlocal agreement between the KCCD and Kittitas County has been executed. Construction will begin in mid-July and should be completed by mid September.

Meanwhile, KCCD staff is working with the State Auditor. It's time for our 3-year state audit and we have a single federal audit because we exceeded $500,000 in federal funds in 2008.

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