The purpose of the enclosed laterals improvement projects (ELIPS) is to convert open irrigation ditches pipes and weir boxes to enclosed laterals and in line flow meters

This federal Project Grant award from the Bureau of Reclamation under the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement (YRBWE) program, CFDA 15.531, provides $737,424 to the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District (SVID) to convert open irrigation ditches, pipes and weir boxes to enclosed pressurized laterals and install in-line flow meters. The primary goals are to eliminate water losses, improve water management, increase Yakima River instream flows to benefit fish and wildlife, and enable landowners to reduce or eliminate pumping requirements. Key activities include replacing 12 open laterals with enclosed pressure pipes and flow meters. Two-thirds of the conserved water will increase Yakima River inflows, while one-third will shore up SVID's water supplies during shortages. This award is part of the YRBWE program's focus on upgrading irrigation infrastructure to enhance water availability and habitat in the Yakima River Basin region.

Activities

Sdboc svid proposes to replace twelve open laterals pipes and concrete weir boxes with enclosed pressure pipe and flow meters to eliminate most delivery system water losses and to improve project wide water management. The project will increase yakima river in-stream flows to benefit fish and wildlifeexpected deliverables or outcomes: the expected performance of the elips is to convert open irrigation ditches pipes and weir boxes to enclosed laterals and in line flow meters. Gravity pressure in most cases will allow landowners to eliminate pumps or reduce pump horsepower requirements. Other benefits to enclosed laterals include, improved on farm control of irrigation water, no lateral landowner end spills, reduced lateral losses, improved irrigation drain water quality, improved public safety, reduced operation and maintenance costs, and, in combination with other conservation projects, overall improved operational efficiency. Two thirds of the conserved water will increase instream flows in the yakima river to improve habitat for fish. One third of the conserved water will be used to shore up sdboc water supplies in years of shortage.

Intended beneficiaries

The benefits of this project will increase the instream flows in yakima river to improve fish habitat, conserve water and improve farm control of irrigation for the farmers.subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): N a