The highland ditch irrigation and fish protection project is addressing the protection of federally protected oregon coastal coho salmon

The south umpqua rural community partnership (501(c)3) is partnering with 11 stakeholder water users of the highland ditch to improve irrigation efficiency, water quality, and fish passage safety on the main stem of clear creek below galesville reservoir near azalea in douglas county. As a result of an oweb outreach grant stakeholders have formed the highland ditch irrigation district. The stakeholders have resolved to correct an egregious and chronic condition of water mismanagement , threats to ESA listed oregon coastal coho salmon and other species of concern located in the south umpqua basin. The senior 1911 water right is distributed via a 3.2 mile open ditch that is subject to evaporation, transpiration, inefficient water distribution, pollution from livestock and frequent ditch containment failures. The clear creek stream reaches on each side of the ditch s diversion DAM are prime spawning habitat for coho, steelhead, and other species of concern. The galesville reservoir is a critical source of umpqua basin water urban and agricultural water supplies. The highland ditch irrigation and fish protection project has secured professional engineering services to develop an innovative alternatives and preliminary design option intended to eliminate adverse impacts on water quantity, quality and threats to oregon coastal coho (ESA listed species), steelhead, pacific lamprey, the umpqua chub etc.