For over 115 years the Arnold Irrigation District (AID) canal has been a resource for all residents of Deschutes County. The benefits of the canal accrue not only to the agricultural patrons of AID but also to a wider range of residents, wildlife and plants.
The proposed piping of Arnold Irrigation Canal should alarm all citizens of Deschutes County and anyone who loves the outstanding scenic, cultural, and natural beauty of Central Oregon ecosystems. This historic canal runs from the Deschutes River over 13 miles to supply water to irrigators on the main canal and its laterals. It travels along the Wild and Scenic section of the Deschutes River past Lava Island Falls, past giant Ponderosas and wooded areas and out into farmland providing both water and scenic values to homeowners, district patrons, trees and wildlife that live and roam along the length of the canal.
- We support the agricultural producers and irrigator patrons of the Arnold Irrigation District but we are opposed to the District’s proposed modernization plan.
- We know there are alternatives to piping that have not been adequately addressed.
- We believe in a full and open process where impacted property owners, District patrons, District stakeholders, and state and federal agencies can come together around a common goal.
- We are deeply concerned over the District’s claim of a 50-foot right of way on each side of the canal, as well as their hydrology data and flawed project Benefit-Cost-Ratio.
- We feel the people who rely on over 500 existing wells that will be negatively impacted by piping have not been adequately informed by the District.
- We believe an Environmental Assessment is inadequate to address the broad impact and effects of the proposed project. This project needs further analysis, more public input, additional alternatives, and a full Environmental Impact Statement.
Why you should oppose the Arnold Irrigation piping plan
Measure Your Trees
It’s easy to measure the height of your trees with your arm and a stick. First, measure the distance from your eye (or forehead) to your finger tips with your arm extended at eye height. Mark a stick at that length (or break it to length if it’s too long). With your fingers, hold theContinue reading “Measure Your Trees”
A Brief History of Arnold Irrigation
Excepts from “The Arnold Project”Toni Rae LinenbergerBureau of Reclamation History ProgramDenver, ColoradoResearch on Historic Reclamation Projects1996 Originally, the Deschutes River was known by the Klamath tribe as, Kolamkeni Koke, or “place where the wild root kolam grows.” Many years later Lewis and Clark, referred to the river by another Indian name Toworenhiooks after sighting itContinue reading “A Brief History of Arnold Irrigation”
What the Historic Flume will look like after AID piping
If you wonder what the Arnold Irrigation Districts plans to bury the Historic Flume will look like, here are two animations to illustrate the damage to the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River. The AID proposal is to build an Oregon State spec. road on top of “engineered fill”. In places the fill and road willContinue reading “What the Historic Flume will look like after AID piping”
Informational VIDEOS
This video takes a look at the damage that piping will cause to the existing open canal ecosystem and offers some less damaging and less costly alternative solutions. This video explains what AID plans to do to the flume within the Wild and Scenic Area of the upper Deschutes River.
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