The quincy-columbia basin irrigation district, located in central washington, will install two automated and integrated flow measurement control gates at the headgate of the W39.9 lateral

The Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District (QCBID) was awarded a $156,400 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) grant program (CFDA 15.507). The grant funding will support the installation of two automated and integrated flow measurement control gates at the headgate of the W39.9 lateral in central Washington. This automation will allow for near-instantaneous operational corrections to changes in flow rate and enable remote operation, thereby increasing water distribution efficiency. The flow data collected from this new technology will improve QCBID's understanding of water use patterns and breaches, which can inform the district's water conservation decisions. This project aligns with the water-saving goals outlined in the Columbia Basin Project Coordinated Water Conservation Plan. The grant project period runs from September 2024 to March 2025.

The installation and automation of the gates will allow for near-instantaneous operational corrections for changes in flow rate and can be operated remotely, increasing water distribution efficiency. Flow data collected from this new technology will increase the quincy-columbia basin irrigation districts understanding of water use patterns and breaches, which can inform water conservation decisions. The project addresses the goals for water saving identified in the columbia basin project coordinated water conservation plan.