SCBID supports QCBID’s Efforts to construct Homestead pumping plant
The proposed Homestead Pumping plant is intended to relieve demand on the West Canal below the W20 check at certain times of year, by pumping water entering the Frenchman Hills Waste Way from the W645 drain. There have been questions regarding the potential impacts to the water supply out of Potholes Reservoir if the pumping plant were to be built.
As proposed, the pumping plant would divert a maximum of about 24,000 acre-feet annually. Diversions from Potholes Reservoir average around 950,000 acre-feet a year, serving both South Columbia Basin Irrigation District lands and East Columbia Basin Irrigation District lands. Feed to Potholes Reservoir fluctuates from about 100,000 acre-feet to about 400,000 acre-feet annually. Given the magnitude of diversions and feed, it is well within normal operational parameters to make-up the relatively insignificant diversions contemplated at the Homestead Pumping Plant as needed through the variety of different feed opportunities that exist at present.
As such, SCBID does not think there is any merit in opposition to the Homestead Pumping Plant due to Potholes Reservoir water supply concerns and fully supports Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District in its efforts to construct this much needed project facility.
