May 2023: Patti Adair Reversed Her Support For A Project That Would Have Turned Arnold Canal Into A Closed Pipe, Conserving Water Lost From Seepage

Adair Reversed Her Support For The Arnold Irrigation District Piping Project, A Multi-Million Dollar Water Conservation Initiative

May 2023: Bend Bulletin Headline: “County Commissioner Patti Adair Reverses Support For Arnold Irrigation District Piping Project.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

May 2023: Bend Bulletin: Adair Reversed Her Support For A Multi-Million Dollar Water Conservation Project. “A Deschutes County Commissioner that previously supported Arnold Irrigation District's plan to convert its open canal to a closed pipe has changed positions and now opposes the multi-million dollar water conservation project. Patti Adair, one of three county commissioners, says the cost of the project is not worth the water savings and replacing around 12 miles of open canal with a buried pipe will negatively impact properties near the canal. The piping of the Arnold Canal is intended to conserve water that is lost through seepage into the porous bottom of the canal. Water conserved through the project will help increase allotments for farmers in summer and will boost the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. But some residents who live near the canal on Bend's southern fringe oppose the project, saying it will damage the local ecosystem that has grown up around the canal since it was built more than a century ago.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

May 2023: Bend Bulletin: Adair Had Previously Supported Plans To Convert The Arnold Irrigation District’s Open Canal To A Closed Pipe. “A Deschutes County Commissioner that previously supported Arnold Irrigation District's plan to convert its open canal to a closed pipe has changed positions and now opposes the multi-million dollar water conservation project. Patti Adair, one of three county commissioners, says the cost of the project is not worth the water savings and replacing around 12 miles of open canal with a buried pipe will negatively impact properties near the canal. The piping of the Arnold Canal is intended to conserve water that is lost through seepage into the porous bottom of the canal. Water conserved through the project will help increase allotments for farmers in summer and will boost the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. But some residents who live near the canal on Bend's southern fringe oppose the project, saying it will damage the local ecosystem that has grown up around the canal since it was built more than a century ago.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

2023: The Arnold Irrigation District Planned To Convert Around 12 Miles Of Open Canal Into Buried Pipe, Which Would Conserve Water By Eliminating Loss From Seepage Into The Porous Bottom Of The Canal

2023: The Arnold Irrigation District Planned To Convert Around 12 Miles Of Open Canal Into Buried Pipe. “A Deschutes County Commissioner that previously supported Arnold Irrigation District's plan to convert its open canal to a closed pipe has changed positions and now opposes the multi-million dollar water conservation project. Patti Adair, one of three county commissioners, says the cost of the project is not worth the water savings and replacing around 12 miles of open canal with a buried pipe will negatively impact properties near the canal. The piping of the Arnold Canal is intended to conserve water that is lost through seepage into the porous bottom of the canal. Water conserved through the project will help increase allotments for farmers in summer and will boost the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. But some residents who live near the canal on Bend's southern fringe oppose the project, saying it will damage the local ecosystem that has grown up around the canal since it was built more than a century ago.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

Bend Bulletin: The Piping Project Would Conserve Water By Eliminating Loss From Seepage Into The Porous Bottom Of The Canal. “A Deschutes County Commissioner that previously supported Arnold Irrigation District's plan to convert its open canal to a closed pipe has changed positions and now opposes the multi-million dollar water conservation project. Patti Adair, one of three county commissioners, says the cost of the project is not worth the water savings and replacing around 12 miles of open canal with a buried pipe will negatively impact properties near the canal. The piping of the Arnold Canal is intended to conserve water that is lost through seepage into the porous bottom of the canal. Water conserved through the project will help increase allotments for farmers in summer and will boost the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. But some residents who live near the canal on Bend's southern fringe oppose the project, saying it will damage the local ecosystem that has grown up around the canal since it was built more than a century ago.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

The Canal Was “Losing Anywhere From 30% To 50% Of Water” And The Project Would Conserve As Much Water As The City Of Bend Used In Half A Year

Craig Horrell, Managing Director For The Central Oregon Irrigation District: “The Canals In Bend Were Meant To Transfer Water For Irrigated Ag. And Right Now, They're Losing Anywhere From 30% To 50% Of Water.” “With the lack of water in the basin and junior water holders, there's not a whole lot you can do in the immediate time frame,’ said Madras farmer Phil Fine. Fine is a patron of the North Unit Irrigation District, which is now partnering with the Central Oregon Irrigation District and the Deschutes River Conservancy, which Fine serves as a board member, to generate support for piping water to farmers. ‘That whole plan hinges on piping up canals. And if we don't pipe the canals because of the water volume that's required by the North Unit, we'll have a hard time remaining relevant,’ Fine said. Craig Horrell is the managing director for the Central Oregon Irrigation District. ‘The canals in Bend were meant to transfer water for irrigated ag. And right now, they're losing anywhere from 30% to 50% of water,’ Horrell said Monday.” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

The Project Would Conserve As Much Water As The City Of Bend Used In Half A Year. “A second county commissioner, Phil Chang, said he continues to support the project, calling it ‘necessary for the future viability of Arnold Irrigation District.’ ‘It will conserve as much water as the City of Bend uses in half a year,’ said Chang.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

Bend Bulletin: “Water Conserved Through The Project Will Help Increase Allotments For Farmers In Summer And Will Boost The Water Level Of The Deschutes River In Winter.” “A Deschutes County Commissioner that previously supported Arnold Irrigation District's plan to convert its open canal to a closed pipe has changed positions and now opposes the multi-million dollar water conservation project. Patti Adair, one of three county commissioners, says the cost of the project is not worth the water savings and replacing around 12 miles of open canal with a buried pipe will negatively impact properties near the canal. The piping of the Arnold Canal is intended to conserve water that is lost through seepage into the porous bottom of the canal. Water conserved through the project will help increase allotments for farmers in summer and will boost the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. But some residents who live near the canal on Bend's southern fringe oppose the project, saying it will damage the local ecosystem that has grown up around the canal since it was built more than a century ago.” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]