rrigation Leader ISpecial Edition August 2017

100 YEARS OF KENNEWICK IRRIGATION DISTRICT Welcome From President Gene Huffman

LOOKING BACK Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) has come a long way in the 10 years I have served on the board of directors. And with our 100th anniversary upon us, I have been thinking about where we have been and where we are headed, and I have also been thinking about how I got office starts with the manager, and in KID’s started with the organization. “Technology is case, the board of directors as well. We have My educational background is in also made big progress on our projects, such agriculture, and I have owned and operated always changing as canal lining, pump consolidation, and the a farm, raising alfalfa, apples, and onions. I and updating, so Red Mountain Project. worked as an electrical troubleshooter and I believe that, in service manager, dealing with all phases of A CHANGING CUSTOMER BASE irrigation, from design to implementation; the future, we as a heavy-duty mechanic; and as a realtor. I What has changed the most for KID over also served 20 years on a rural school board. will have more the years is the amount of urban growth. One day, I approached a ditchrider tools and software There is a lot less farm land. At first, this from KID because I did not have irrigation urban growth created challenges for us, but pressure. When I told him about my issues to successfully we have addressed them. The way we were and asked what was going on, he said I did deliver water.” originally set up was not the best for an not have pressure because everyone was urbanized community, but we have made the irrigating at the same time. I then drove -GENE HUFFMAN necessary changes to make the systems work around the neighborhood to see if that was efficiently. the case, and it was not. The true reason was a bad pump. LOOKING AHEAD Speaking with my wife about my frustrations, she told me since I knew so much about irrigation, I should run for the I feel the biggest challenge we will face is the quantity KID board of directors. So I did. of water we receive. We need to plan for that now. Other challenges I foresee are getting most of our canals lined OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR SUCCESS and piped and addressing the expense of converting urban One thing that has always been instrumental to KID customers to meters. is our people. My favorite part of being on the board Technology is always changing and updating, so I believe of directors is working with the people we have hired, that in the future, we will have more tools and software to especially when we hire the right people for the right job. successfully deliver water. For example, since hiring District Manager Chuck Freeman, My advice to the next generation of board members? KID has grown and benefitted. Hire the best manager you can find who knows what he I feel we have made a lot of progress since I have been or she is doing, because a good manager can make all the on the board. The first step was hiring a good manager and difference. having an involved board of directors. This really changed I am proud of KID’s growth and success, and I am proud the atmosphere of the office, because the attitude of the to be part of this great team. Here’s to the next 100 years! 2 Irrigation Leader AUGUST 2017 CONTENTS rrigation Leader 2 Welcome From President Gene Huffman I 4 Making the Desert Bloom: The Benefits of Urban SPECIAL EDITION Forests in a Shrub-Steppe Ecoregion Irrigation Leader is published 10 times a year 6 Dedication to Service on KID’s Board: with combined issues for July/August and John Pringle November/December by Water Strategies LLC 4 E Street SE KID PROJECTS Washington, DC 20003 7 Life at the End of the Project: Water Supply for the STAFF: Kennewick Irrigation District Kris Polly, Editor-in-Chief John Crotty, Senior Writer Bateman Island Causeway Modification Project: Matthew Dermody, Writer 10 Julia Terbrock, Graphic Designer Working Together for the Greater Good in the Lower Capital Copyediting LLC, Copyeditor Yakima SUBMISSIONS: 13 The Integrated Plan: The Yakima River Basin Water Irrigation Leader welcomes manuscript, Enhancement Program photography, and art submissions. However, the right to edit or deny publishing The Lower River Subgroup: Meeting the Challenge of submissions is reserved. Submissions 14 are returned only upon request. For more Salmon Recovery and Resilient Water Supply in the information, please contact John Crotty at Lower Yakima River (202) 698-0690 or [email protected]. 17 Investing in Kennewick’s Future: The Capital Improvement Program ADVERTISING: Irrigation Leader accepts one-quarter, half- The Next 25 Years: The Chandler Electrification page, and full-page ads. For more information 18 on rates and placement, please contact Project Kris Polly at (703) 517-3962 or The Case for Title Transfer [email protected]. 20 CIRCULATION: Irrigation Leader is distributed to irrigation OUR DISTRICT district managers and boards of directors in the 17 western states, U.S. Bureau of Helping Hands Takes the Burden Off Their Shoulders Reclamation officials, members of Congress 21 and committee staff, and advertising sponsors. For address corrections or The Public Relations Coordinator’s Role in the additions, please contact our office at 22 Kennewick Irrigation District [email protected]. Retiring Staff Interview: Pat Clark Copyright © 2017 Water Strategies LLC. 24 Irrigation Leader relies on the excellent contributions of a variety of natural resources 25 KID’s Longest-Serving Pump Technician: professionals who provide content for the DeWayne Miller magazine. However, the views and opinions expressed by these contributors are solely Customer Service at KID those of the original contributor and do not 26 necessarily represent or reflect the policies or positions of Irrigation Leader magazine, The History of Kennewick Irrigation District its editors, or Water Strategies LLC. The 28 acceptance and use of advertisements Budgeting for Kennewick Irrigation District’s Future in Irrigation Leader do not constitute 34 a representation or warranty by Water Strategies LLC or Irrigation Leader magazine The Next 100 Years at Kennewick Irrigation District regarding the products, services, claims, or 36 companies advertised.

COVER PHOTO: Kennewick Irrigation District Main Canal Follow Irrigation Leader magazine on social media (Courtesy of Doris Rakowski at KID). /IrrigationLeader @IrrigationLeadr

Irrigation Leader 3 MAKING THE DESERT BLOOM 7KH%HQHŦWVRI8UEDQ)RUHVWVLQD6KUXE6WHSSH(FRUHJLRQ

raveling across the shrub-steppe hills and agricultural plains of eastern Washington, one cannot help but notice the vibrant urban forest that appears as one enters the TTri-Cities. A rarity in our arid region, this forest is made possible by irrigation, which in large areas of Kennewick and south Richland is the result of water diverted from the Yakima River and delivered by the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID).

4 Irrigation Leader Prior to the arrival of irrigation OHVVZHOONQRZQWKDWLUULJDWLRQEHQH¿WV precipitation comes in the form of in the area, the dominant natural natural resources in urban areas—the sudden thunderstorms that drop a lot vegetation found in the Tri-Cities was effect is just as dramatic on urban of rain in a short period of time. This shrub-steppe. In fact, the Tri-Cities is areas as on agricultural areas. One kind of precipitation can overwhelm located in the heart of an ecoregion striking example in the Tri-Cities, and VWRUPGUDLQVDQGFDXVHORFDOÀRRGLQJ known by various names, including within the KID boundary, is the urban of streets. Columbia Basin, Intermountain forest that is found in our community. Summer shade provided by urban Semi-Desert Province, and Columbia Contrary to the belief that cities trees reduces building energy use and Plateau. Regardless of the name, and urbanized lands are devoid of associated costs and contributes to this ecoregion has an arid climate nature and wildlife, the truth is that cooling surface air temperatures and (7–10 inches of precipitation per cities do contain habitat for a variety absorbing ultraviolet radiation, which year), an ample number of frost-free of species that can adapt to the urban is crucial to making desert areas such days (140–200 days per year), cool environment. The urban forest of as the Tri-Cities livable during the hot winters (average January minimum trees and shrubs planted along streets, summer months. temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit), in parks, and in backyards provides Trees in urban areas also provide and warm summers (average July high habitat for a variety of species, which VLJQL¿FDQWHFRQRPLFVRFLDODQG temperature of 89 degrees Fahrenheit). in the Tri-Cities can range from FXOWXUDOEHQH¿WVWRDFRPPXQLW\ These natural conditions, without porcupines and raccoons to Cooper’s including opportunities for outdoor supplemental irrigation water, are hawks and robins. recreation; gathering of natural dominated by dryland vegetation Besides providing wildlife habitat, products, such as fruit and nuts; and such as Wyoming sagebrush, the urban forest provides numerous aesthetic, spiritual, psychological, and rabbit brush, Sandberg wheatgrass, RWKHUEHQH¿WVWRWKH7UL&LWLHVDQG SXEOLFKHDOWKEHQH¿WV7UHHVDOVREORFN needle-and-thread grass, and Indian other communities across the nation. sound, reducing noise pollution from ricegrass. These species of shrubs Urban forests include all publicly cars and highways and other urban and grasses make up the shrub-steppe and privately owned trees and land uses. The urban forest can also habitat that dominates the region. woody vegetation in urban areas and, improve a community’s economic Besides a few scattered remnant nationally, constitute 25 percent of the well being by increasing residential groves of western juniper in the total forest canopy. property values by up to uplands and black cottonwood along The urban forest is a The 20 percent and increasing the rivers, the Tri-Cities area is nearly vital part of a community’s spending by shoppers in devoid of native trees. The Lewis green infrastructure and onset of central business districts and Clark Expedition in the early includes trees, shrubs, irrigation by up to 12 percent, 19th century took note of this in its grass, and other vegetation, according to recent studies. exploration of the area. Bateman as well as porous elements was a Additionally, the urban ,VODQGORFDWHGDWWKHFRQÀXHQFHRI for natural storm water game forest can support a strong the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, management, such as lawns landscape maintenance was the farthest point upstream on the and landscaped areas. changer economy by providing Columbia River explored by Lewis Trees in urban areas deliver for the demand and thus jobs and Clark. William Clark, writing a variety of ecosystem for lawn care specialists, in his journal on October 17, 1805, services: supporting soil region. arborists, and allied trades. noted that at Bateman Island, “There formation, photosynthesis, $OWKRXJKWKHEHQH¿WV is no timber of any Sort except and nutrient cycling; improving air of the urban forest are numerous, we Small willow bushes in sight in any quality by storing and sequestering must be cognizant of wise water use, direction.” carbon; and removing tons of air especially in arid regions and drought- The onset of irrigation was a pollutants, including greenhouse gases prone areas. To ensure a thriving game changer for the region, as it and particulates. urban forest in arid ecoregions, it is has been in many areas of the arid Urban trees also improve water important to choose drought-tolerant intermountain West. The economic quality by reducing and treating tree and shrub species to conserve DQGVRFLDOEHQH¿WVRIWKHFRQYHUVLRQ stormwater runoff, including water and to increase plant survival of desert areas into irrigated croplands preventing millions of gallons per when water shortages do occur. Local have been well documented by many year of runoff that is intercepted by nurseries, soil conservation districts, over the years. The ecological changes the foliage or taken up into the plant XQLYHUVLW\H[WHQVLRQRI¿FHVDQGFLW\ brought by converting the natural through the roots. This is especially park departments are good places to landscape into irrigated farmland have important in an arid environment such ¿QGLQIRUPDWLRQDERXWSURSHUSODQW also been widely noted. However, it is as the Tri-Cities, where much of the selection for your local climate.

Irrigation Leader 5 'HGLFDWLRQWR6HUYLFHRQ.,'łV%RDUG JOHN PRINGLE

A NEIGHBOR NEEDED HELP. SO Cities area in 1967 and operates a 90-acre orchard. “My favorite part about being a KID board member was JOHN PRINGLE PITCHED IN FOR learning about our water laws and water supply,” he noted. 27 YEARS. While John was serving on the board, key accomplishments included expanding water distribution “I kept running for reelection because for an increasingly urbanized customer being on the board of directors became base and improving canal safety. Finding interesting. Water sounds simple, but it can funding to improve safety was one of his get complicated,” John said. top challenges. “We used to have many In the early 1980s, one of John’s breaches back when I served, compared to neighbors searched for someone to replace now,” he said. a retiring member of the Kennewick In the future, John expects the district Irrigation District (KID) board of to continue to face challenges keeping a directors. The neighbor asked John if he VXI¿FLHQWZDWHUVXSSO\DQGSURWHFWLQJWKH ZRXOGOLNHWR¿OOLQ,QWKH%HQWRQ district’s water rights, “because so many County Commissioners appointed him people are after it.” WR¿OOWKHYDFDQWSRVLWLRQ-RKQUHWLUHG John explained, “The original purpose years later, in 2010. of irrigated water was for agriculture. John said, “I enjoyed learning about our As our population continues to grow and water rights and helping to make sure we the district’s customers become more had water to irrigate with.” urbanized, irrigated land does not continue to grow, which John was born in Ukiah, California, and received his brings up the issue of food production in the future.” bachelor of science in agriculture from California State These are topics that John began tackling nearly three Polytechnic University, Pomona. He moved to the Tri- decades ago when a neighbor needed help. 6 Irrigation Leader .,'352-(&76

Supplying irrigation water to more than 63,000 urban and agricultural customers at the LIFE end of the Yakima Project in a highly regulated and drought- AT THE END OF THE prone river system is the challenge that the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) faces 352-(&7 and embraces year in and Water Supply for the year out. Kennewick Irrigation District

Irrigation Leader 7 .,'352-(&76 The Kennewick Division was the last of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Yakima Project divisions to be completed. Authorized by Congress in 1948, construction of the division was FRPSOHWHGLQZLWKWKH¿UVWZDWHU deliveries made the prior year. The Yakima River is an overappropriated basin, meaning that in dry years supply is not adequate to meet demand. The

BATEMAN ISLAND CAUSEWAY MODIFICATION PROJECT: Working Together for the Greater Good in the Lower Yakima

These relationship-building and partnership opportunities have been extended to entities that historically found themselves at odds on various resource management issues in the basin.

10 Irrigation Leader .,'352-(&76

nitiated in 2009, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan sockeye, and summer Chinook salmon have been extirpated; (YBIP) has served as a platform for relationship building populations of spring and fall Chinook have been seriously ,and partnerships among a variety of agencies and entities reduced; and steelhead and bull trout are listed as threatened in the Yakima River basin. In addition to addressing the under the Endangered Species Act. Currently, efforts led by water supply needs of irrigators, the plan has created the Yakama Nation have reestablished coho salmon and are momentum to address long-needed habitat issues in the working toward reestablishing sockeye salmon. basin, including salmon restoration. Addressing the issues at Bateman Island is widely These relationship-building and partnership believed to be crucial to rebuilding salmon and steelhead opportunities have been extended to entities that runs in the Yakima River, as the location of the island at historically found themselves at odds on various WKHPRXWKRIWKHULYHUPHDQVWKDWHYHU\¿VKWKDWOHDYHV resource management issues in the basin. Take the or enters the Yakima River in spring or summer must case of the relationship between the Kennewick pass the gauntlet of high temperatures and predators that Irrigation District (KID) and the Washington await in the altered habitat created by the causeway. This Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), for status as a bottleneck feature led to the Bateman Island H[DPSOH)RUPDQ\\HDUV.,'RI¿FLDOVKDYH &DXVHZD\0RGL¿FDWLRQ3URMHFWEHLQJLGHQWL¿HGDVDQLQLWLDO been at odds with WDFW personnel over issues development project under the YBIP, one of only two in related to regulatory jurisdiction within KID the plan located in the lower Yakima River. A conceptual drains and wasteways. The disagreements over design study released in early 2016 revealed that a partial this issue led to many heated arguments and breach of the causeway of 260 feet or greater would be the LQÀDPPDWRU\OHWWHUVEHWZHHQWKHWZRDJHQFLHV PRVWEHQH¿FLDOLQWHUPVRIGHFUHDVLQJZDWHUWHPSHUDWXUHV which in turn led to a front-page article in the and smolt predation in the areas west and south of the local newspaper that aired the disagreement for LVODQGE\LQFUHDVLQJÀRZYHORFLWLHVWKURXJKWKHEUHDFK7KH all to see. These differences were set aside when project would involve breaching the causeway to allow this the agencies recognized that they needed to work UHVWRUDWLRQRIÀRZLQWKHULYHU together to accomplish a project that is crucial Despite the negative environmental issues caused by to the success of the YBIP: the Bateman Island the Bateman Island Causeway, the causeway does provide &DXVHZD\0RGL¿FDWLRQ3URMHFW PDQ\EHQH¿WVWRWKHORFDOFRPPXQLW\7KHFDXVHZD\ The Bateman Island Causeway is a provides pedestrian access to Bateman Island, a popular 500-foot-long feature that connects Bateman hiking and bird-watching area owned by the U.S. Army ,VODQGDWWKHFRQÀXHQFHRIWKH

the upper river tributaries and their rearing habitat in the and projects in the lower Yakima River basin posed 3DFL¿F2FHDQ7KHGURXJKWDOVRFDXVHGZDWHUVXSSOLHV challenges in engaging the community in a plan that would IRU.,'WREHXQUHOLDEOHUHWXUQÀRZVWKDWPDNHXS.,'¶V seem to not deal with local issues. The Bateman Island supply were reduced to the point that the district was forced &DXVHZD\0RGL¿FDWLRQ3URMHFWDVZHOODVWKHGURXJKW to require customers to ration water though mandatory of 2015 that caused widespread local water shortages, water schedules. provided an opportunity to engage the community in One of the notable attributes of the YBIP is that solutions to the problems that the YBIP seeks to solve. the participants recognize that the plan needs to be The same presentation was given to all groups: a two- comprehensive to succeed; projects that improve water part pitch that explained the problem (water shortages supplies cannot move forward unless projects aimed at DQGUHGXFHG¿VKUXQV DQGWKHVROXWLRQ <%,3DQG restoring salmon move forward at the same time. This sort VSHFL¿FDOO\IRUWKHORZHU

THE LOWER RIVER SUBGROUP

0HHWLQJWKH&KDOOHQJHRI6DOPRQ5HFRYHU\DQG 5HVLOLHQW:DWHU6XSSO\LQWKH/RZHU

14 Irrigation Leader .,'352-(&76

THE HISTORIC SNOWPACK DROUGHT place on July 28, 2016, with a follow-up survey on OF 2015 UNCOVERED UNPRECEDENTED 6HSWHPEHU7KHÀRDWIRFXVHGRQWKHVHFWLRQRI CHALLENGES in meeting lower Yakima River water the lower Yakima River known as the Chandler Bypass supply demands as well as providing for the safe reach, which is an approximately 12-mile-long stretch passage of salmon through the lower river. To draw of the river from the Prosser Dam to the Chandler attention to the challenges faced at the lower end of the 3RZHU6WDWLRQZKLFKFDQVXIIHUIURPORZÀRZVLQWKH Yakima River system because of upbasin conservation summer months. efforts and other operations and management 7KHWHPSHUDWXUHGDWDFROOHFWHGGXULQJWKHÀRDW decisions, the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) will be used in conjunction with other data previously convinced the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to create collected by the Benton Conservation District to aid in the Lower River Subgroup of the Yakima River Basin WKHLGHQWL¿FDWLRQRIDUHDVZKHUHJURXQGZDWHUUHFKDUJH Water Enhancement Program (YRBWEP) Workgroup. projects could be initiated to enhance thermal refugia This stakeholder committee studies the lower river and locations. The subgroup is proposing additional study UHFRPPHQGVDFWLRQVWKDWZRXOGEHQH¿WZDWHUVXSSOLHV to look at issues such as timing of recharge; it is and salmon runs. Subgroup members are from the imperative that recharge water applied in the irrigation Yakama Nation, the National Marine Fisheries Service, offseason not reenter the river until needed in the FULWLFDOORZÀRZPRQWKVRIVXPPHUZKHQWKHVDOPRQ the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, are migrating up the river to reach spawning grounds in Benton County, the Kennewick and Sunnyside Valley the upper tributaries. irrigation districts, and the environmental community. The subgroup is also supporting a lower river Reclamation and the Washington Department of smolt survival study. This study will be similar to Ecology provide technical information and guidance one recently completed upstream on the Roza reach throughout the process. of the Yakima River. The study will seek to better The subgroup’s mission is twofold: (1) to understand survival rates of out-migrating salmon recommend to the YRBWEP Workgroup actions and smolts past the lower river diversion dams, including priorities consistent with the overall objectives of the Wapato, Sunnyside, and Prosser. Predation on smolts Integrated Plan in the lower basin (the Yakima River by nonnative smallmouth bass in the lower river is below the Parker gage and the tributaries and return believed to be a large contributor to smolt mortality, ÀRZVWRWKDWUHDFKRIWKH

Irrigation Leader 15 .,'352-(&76 AFTER

BEFORE

16 Irrigation Leader .,'352-(&76 ,19(67,1*,1 .(11(:,&.ł6 )8785(

The Capital Improvement Program

he Kennewick Irrigation District’s (KID) board of has over 300 miles of buried pipe throughout the cities directors has been investing in the district’s future of Kennewick, South Richland, West Richland, and in Tfor decades. During the 1960s and 1970s, the district unincorporated Benton County, mostly in backyards. KID worked with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to rebuild the employees met the challenge, and this summer, crews have main canal following a string of canal failures. One such begun replacing old pipe with a history of causing serious canal failure caused the derailment of an Amtrak passenger property damage in a neighborhood. We have funded this train in Badger Canyon. In the 1980s, the district piped program without drawing on the existing capital program some of its smaller lateral ditches for public safety purposes funding or raising rates for our customers. With our new after a child fell into one of those small ditches and died. IXQGLQJVRXUFHZHKDYHEHHQDEOHWRKLUH¿YHPRUH Over the last decade, KID’s Capital Improvement employees to accelerate work on these pipeline projects Program evolved with the establishment of the Capital and have purchased a large excavator and paving machine Improvement Surcharge, in which each irrigation account is WRHQKDQFHRXUSURGXFWLYLW\DQGKHOSXVEHDVHI¿FLHQWDV FKDUJHGDÀDWUDWHWKDWJHQHUDWHVDSSUR[LPDWHO\ possible in our use of these funds. $1.4 million annually. These dollars are used in part as the When the Red Mountain Project was being developed, local match to leverage funds received from our successful KID only received 66 percent of project costs in the grant applications to Reclamation’s WaterSMART program. form of a grant/loan package from the Washington State In 2010, the board of directors set public safety as its 'HSDUWPHQWRI(FRORJ\.,'¿QDQFHGWKHRWKHUWKLUG/LNH number 1 goal. Since that time, KID has been focused on other public entities in Washington State, we are limited lining its earthen canals for public safety in this densely as to what we can invest in. For example, the approved urbanized district. We received these grant funds for water state investment program provides a low rate of return, conservation and savings, but we chose to line canals to currently less than 1 percent annual interest. Working with save water. In this process, we are also making the canals RXU¿QDQFLDODGYLVRU.,'GHFLGHGWRLQYHVWLQWKH5HG stronger, safer, and less prone to breaches. Mountain Project. We are earning 6.11 percent on our Since 2007, KID has spent approximately investment. The interest, approximately $551,000 this year, $12 million and has been awarded $7.5 million in grant is funding the pipeline replacement program. Because KID funds to line over 20 miles of earthen canals. Over the next was able to demonstrate the sustainability of this funding 8 years, KID will line the remaining canal sections with stream for more than 10 years, we were able to hire new high-density polyethylene. employees to speed up this program without asking for a In addition to canal lining, the board of directors rate increase. We hope to be able to replace 3–5 miles per challenged KID employees to develop and execute a year. It will take 25 years to replace the 100 miles of pipe plan that addresses our aging pipeline network. KID networks that are most at risk. Irrigation Leader 17 THE NEXT 25 YEARS: THE CHANDLER ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

18 Irrigation Leader .,'352-(&76

:KDWLVWKH&KDQGOHU(OHFWULĆFDWLRQ3URMHFW" complex and do not always result in additional water for The Chandler Power and Pumping Plant are located XVHDVLQVWUHDPÀRZVRUDGGLWLRQDOFRQVXPSWLRQWKH<%,3 on the lower Yakima River and are part of the Kennewick targets up to 170,000 acre-feet of water for conservation. Division of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Yakima .,'GHSHQGVRQUHWXUQÀRZVIRULWVZDWHUVXSSO\DQG Project. The Kennewick Division is a large irrigation recent modeling performed by Reclamation has shown that V\VWHPGHVLJQHGWRGLYHUWUHWXUQÀRZVIURPWKH

TransferUHG Works THE CASE KID Canal and Laterals Kennewick Irrigation District does not warrant, guarantee, or accept any liability for accuracy, precision, or completeness of any information shown hereon or for any inferences made there from. Any use made of this information is solely at the risk of the user. μ Kennewick Irrigation District makes no warrantee, expressed or implied, and any oral or written statement by any employee of Kennewick Irrigation District or agents thereof to the contrary is void and ultra vires. The information shown herein is a product of the Kennewick Irrigation District Geographic Information FOR TITLE Systems, and is prepared for presentation purposes only.

Badger East Lateral

Prosser Diversion TRANSFER Main Canal Division II Leslie Drain

Badger West Lateral Amon Wasteway

Main Canal Division III Lowlift Canal

Highland Feeder

Zintel Canyon Plymouth Drain

East Badger Drain Highlift Canal In 2025, the Kennewick Irrigation Highlands District (KID) will pay off its original

1956 loan to the U.S. Bureau of Main C Reclamation for the construction of Canal/Lateral Lengths (Miles) an our project; today, funds are in the Amon Lateral- 6.0 Badger East- 13.37 bank to pay off the remaining loan Badger West- 3.31 Highland Feeder- 5.27 obligation. Because this payoff is Highlift Canal- 5.59 Lowlift Canal- 2.13 Wasteway/Drain imminent, the board of directors has Main Canal Division I- 6.47 inquired as to whether we will own Main Canal Division II- 8.12 Main Canal Division III- 9.77 05102.5 what the district ratepayers paid for. Main Canal Division IV- 16.86 Miles West Extension- 0.92 Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, What we learned is that once the loan NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri is repaid, the rate payers do not own i t M I di © O St tM t ib t d th GIS U C the facilities they paid for. Once we always timely in meeting the needs ¿VKEHQH¿WSURMHFW+RZHYHUWKH wrapped our heads around this fact, of the communities KID serves. SURMHFWKDVZDWHUVXSSO\EHQH¿WVDV we learned that there is a separate Developers in Kennewick have been well. According to section 1205 of process—title transfer—that the waiting for years for Reclamation’s the Yakima Basin Integrated Water district has to go through to gain title approval to move easement lines Resource Management Plan II to its facilities. on properties the developer owns. OHJLVODWLRQHOHFWUL¿FDWLRQLVPLWLJDWLRQ Taking ownership of what the The wait has affected the private to KID for upbasin conservation, ratepayers paid for is one of the development of those properties. ZKLFKKDVUHGXFHGWKHUHWXUQÀRZV reasons the district should proceed Further, Reclamation can be a that KID was built on. Without return with the title transfer process. Another cumbersome partner. Reclamation ÀRZV.,'FHDVHVWRH[LVW reason is to enhance operational paid nearly $4 million to conduct .,'KDVWKH¿QDQFLDOZKHUHZLWKDO capabilities. During the 2015 drought, VWXGLHVRQWKHHOHFWUL¿FDWLRQRIWKH to build Chandler on its own. Reclamation struggled to have its Chandler Power and Pumping plant, In exchange for paying for the operators work the necessary overtime and nothing came of those studies. The HOHFWUL¿FDWLRQ.,'VHHNVRZQHUVKLS to make the necessary adjustments to draft environmental impact statement of all the federal assets to supply KID GLYHUWQHHGHGÀRZVLQWR.,'¶VFDQDO was put on a shelf and remains there. its project water: the dam, the power Reclamation owns and operates the While the studies estimated that canal, the hydro pumps, both electrical Prosser Diversion Dam; KID diverts the cost to electrify Chandler was generation units, and the siphon. It is off an ever-changing river system, and $30–$60 million, as recently as 2015, KID’s position that Reclamation owes the natural diurnal curves of the river Reclamation’s estimate was KID ratepayers the cost of electrifying require more than periodic adjustments $60–$90 million. Chandler’s hydraulic pumps. KID to the dam, especially during a .,'KLUHGDORFDOHQJLQHHULQJ¿UP understands Reclamation’s budgetary drought. During the 2015 drought, to study a new concept to electrify constraints; therefore, in lieu of Reclamation allowed water to pass the Chandler Power and Pumping payment, KID will take the assets. by the KID canal; if KID had owned plant. The revised scope has an KID is currently following a two- the facilities, that would not have estimated cost of $23.1 million. If KID phase approach to transferring title, happened. Reclamation allowed this owned the siphon that only serves ZLWKWKH¿UVWSKDVHIRFXVLQJRQWKH to happen six times during the peak of .,'¶VFDQDOV\VWHPHOHFWUL¿FDWLRQ transferred works, which are simpler, the summer, when the temperature in would have been built years ago. and the second phase focusing on KID’s service area tops 100 degrees. 3DVWIRFXVRQHOHFWUL¿FDWLRQKDV the reserved works, which are more Additionally, Reclamation is not EHHQRQLWVSRWHQWLDOEHQH¿WVDVD complicated. 20 Irrigation Leader 285',675,&7 Helping Hands Takes the Burden Off Their Shoulders

ooner or later, we all need a helping hand. That is why the “Everything gets stretched real thin. SKennewick Irrigation District That’s why they help me. They’ve been (KID) is participating in a program that makes it easy to help others helping me get that burden off my who may be in danger of losing their shoulders.” property because they cannot pay the assessments. There are many reasons —BARBARA, KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON SHRSOHPLJKW¿QGWKHPVHOYHVLQQHHG We spoke to one of our customers, Things have gotten so bad with health of help: medical emergency, family Barbara in Kennewick, who shared care, and my wife is in dire straits with problems, or unemployment. No one how KID’s Helping Hands program her health. We have had to rob Peter to expects those kinds of problems, and has helped her over the past 4–5 years. pay Paul. I might have had to give up few can handle them alone. “I’m still supporting my 20-year-old my irrigation entirely, and with this, The Helping Hands program is daughter and my grandbaby,” she said. I’ve been able to maintain it.” funded by a portion of the revenues “Everything gets stretched real thin. Anyone interested in donating we collect from delinquency fee That’s why they help me. They’ve to the Helping Hands program assessments and donations from been helping me get that burden off may do so by using the option customers and concerned neighbors. my shoulders. I’m sure a lot of people available on your payment coupon In 2011, we started charging a don’t realize it.” RUE\YLVLWLQJWKHRI¿FHORFDWHGDW delinquency fee, and 30 percent of that Ronald in Finley told us that the 2015 South Ely Street. delinquency fee goes toward funding program has helped him with utility All donations are tax deductible, Helping Hands. We fund this program costs. “As a retiree, it helps me share and every dollar donated goes to a with donations and our own money. the expense of what utilities cost. ratepayer in need. Irrigation Leader 21 285',675,&7

The Public Relations Coordinator’s Role in the Kennewick Irrigation District

he role of a public relations coordinator has changed JLYLQJLWDEDGUHSXWDWLRQ7KLVOHDGVWRDÀRZRIQHJDWLYH Tdrastically over the years. The main role of this position comments whenever there is an error on KID’s part. As used to focus on sending press releases to the media. public relations coordinator, Shelbea asked herself, “What However, social media has begun to take over and become can I do to help rebuild KID’s brand and reputation?” a prominent outlet for organizations and businesses to She started by analyzing the complaints logged on the convey their messages to the public. Many people these KID Facebook page and noticed a pattern of comments days get their information from social media, and when from community members needing to know when their people need to say something positive or negative about a ZDWHUZRXOGEHRQDQGRII7KH\FRXOGQRW¿QGWKDW company, they go to social media outlets such as Facebook, information on the KID website. Visiting the website, Twitter, Google Reviews, or Yelp. Thus, employing a Shelbea saw they were right and spoke with the KID public relations coordinator is a necessity for any business. website designer to make the necessary changes. KID has When Shelbea Voelker assumed the role of public not heard a complaint about the website since. relations coordinator for the Kennewick Irrigation District One of the most important ways to show our customers (KID), she was unaware of the amount of negative that we do care and want to help is to answer their feedback irrigation districts like KID receive from the questions and address their concerns. Shelbea does her best community daily. KID customer service representatives and daily to answer all questions that are asked on Facebook, RXUHPSOR\HHVLQWKH¿HOGKHDUQHJDWLYHUHPDUNVDQGZH which sometimes can turn into an all-day task, depending see them on social media. In the past, some KID employees on the situation at hand. This effort has resulted in positive made mistakes that have stuck with the organization, comments and gratitude for Shelbea’s quick replies and 22 Irrigation Leader 285',675,&7 217+()/,36,'(

The Flip Side Communications is a public relations resource for Shelbea Voelker, the public relations coordinator for the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). The Flip Side offers support and assistance in rebooting KID’s brand awareness among customers and community members. It also helps KID build momentum for its position as a go-to expert for media seeking commentary on irrigation-related topics. The Flip Side provides public relations services such as • securing coverage in the national, local, community and trade media • developing social media strategies and content • helping build an online newsroom that includes content such as news releases, images, video, fact sheets and FAQs • securing speaking opportunities • developing marketing materials • handling crisis communications • media training once a year 7KHEHQHĆWVRISXEOLFUHODWLRQVIRUDQLUULJDWLRQ district include instant credibility through sharing their expertise with the media and the public in general. Public relations is an easy and effective way to begin helping create that separation between a Kennewick Irrigation District’s website. company and its competitors. It can also help districts grab some of the public attention they feel water help. In the end, our customers just want reassurance that issues deserve. we will take care of them. Many water entities do not understand how The next step to improving KID’s reputation involves interesting their story is and how important their role speaking to local media representatives to run community is in educating the public. On a regular basis, however, educational campaigns relating to retraining lawns in we see both national and local media discuss the case of a drought. Shelbea will also volunteer as a guest importance of water resources. Unfortunately, a lot of speaker in schools to educate students about canal safety. districts and organizations miss opportunities to step The commercials and ads will run on television, radio, and forward with an expert opinion that can contribute a fresh angle and help the public better understand the online, hitting a variety of demographics within the district. present and future situation of water. The main goal of these campaigns and volunteer work is to educate the community and show that KID cares and wants to keep everyone safe. The KID public relations coordinator clearly wears many different hats, from managing traditional and social media to updating the website and marketing collateral to running activities designed to educate our community. All these elements must work in tandem to rebuild a brand and also to protect it. Keith Yaskin is president of The Flip Side Communications LLC, a Scottsdale, Arizona, media company offering video ZZZNLGRUJ production, public relations, media training and employee .HQQHZLFN,UULJDWLRQ'LVWULFW communications. The Flip Side provides public relations support LQIR#NLGRUJ for Kennewick Irrigation District.

Irrigation Leader 23 285',675,&7 RETIRING STAFF INTERVIEW: PAT CLARK

ustomer service once radioed, explaining that someone and making them happy. The fun part of my job is getting Csaw a moose stuck in a canal. Pat Clark took the call. to be outside, riding the canal, and enjoying the fresh air He was closest to the area. When he arrived at the canal, and the outdoors.” he found not a moose, but a dead colt Over the last two decades, riding the that had gotten stuck. It is a moment canal has changed. “I think there have from his 20 years on the job that Pat will “The most been positive improvements all the way never forget. around. One of the biggest differences “We aren’t joking around when we say rewarding part is the amount of urban growth over the how dangerous canals can be,” Pat said. years. When I started, we served mostly Pat Clark is retiring this year from of my job is agricultural [customers], and now we his canal patrol position at Kennewick serve mostly urban customers.” Irrigation District. delivering water And that has led to an investment “I was just looking for a good to customers in technology. “Learning all the new job, and I had the experience for the technology at my age is challenging. We job,” Pat said, looking back on why and making went from tracking the canals and ponds he originally applied for the position. via a long paper trail to all of us having The positive aspects of his position them happy.” ODSWRSVLQRXUWUXFNV,WZDVKDUGDW¿UVW were never in short supply and include but I have gotten the hang of things.” the people he works with everyday. -PAT CLARK After retiring, Pat plans to relax, take “They like to joke and have fun, as some trips, and enjoy life. He spent two do I, so it makes the days fun,” he explained. “The most decades riding the canal, a life by the water that offered rewarding part of my job is delivering water to customers him experiences of both risk and reward. 24 Irrigation Leader 285',675,&7

.,'ł6/21*(676(59,1*38037(&+1,&,$1 DEWAYNE MILLER

eWayne Miller was once using a backhoe to dig out a fun,” he said. “The most rewarding part of my job is that I Dcanal. A coworker, standing knee-deep in mud in the usually leave feeling good at the end of the day because I canal, started sinking and couldn’t get out. am a problem solver. I enjoy working with upset customers “So the operator at the time lowered the bucket on the and solving their problems to such a degree that I leave as a EDFNKRHWRKHOSKLPRXWDQGLQVWHDGRIÀLSSLQJWKHEXFNHW friend rather than an enemy.” on the machine to go down to help him, he accidentally In DeWayne’s 38 years, KID also has solved problems ÀLSSHGLWXS´'H:D\QHVDLG³7KHEXFNHWDWWKHWLPHZDV by tapping into technology. ¿OOHGZLWKEODFNVWLQN\PXGWKDWHQGHGXSFRYHULQJWKH “There are many things that have changed over the employee. It was bad for the guy, but pretty funny to the years: the tools, equipment we use, and the technology rest of us.” especially. It was almost like we were cavemen sharing DeWayne, a pump technician, likely can look back on a bucket of tools, and now each have our own trucks and many memorable moments. He is Kennewick Irrigation equipment, which makes my job much easier.” District’s (KID) longest-serving employee. He has been And his job is much more fun when a coworker with the district for more than 38 years and can thank his accidentally gets covered in mud. mom and dad for getting him into water for work. “I moved here from North Carolina, and my parents “I enjoy working with upset customers were friends with the district manager at the time. So he and solving their problems to such a asked if I was interested in a job with KID, and I took the offer and have been here ever since.” degree that I leave as a friend rather DeWayne’s favorite part of his job is the crew he works than an enemy.”

with and the customers he helps. “They keep the workplace -DEWAYNE MILLER Irrigation Leader 25 285',675,&7 &XVWRPHU6HUYLFHDW.,'

ur Customer Service Department is a vital part of OKennewick Irrigation District (KID). The customer service team, consisting of four customer service representatives and one supervisor, handles a variety of tasks, including working daily with more than 140 watermasters to place water orders for their property and answering calls and emails from customers with questions, complaints, and suggestions. Our customer account supervisor manages our Helping Hands program, which helps nearly 100 customers pay a portion of their bill each year. In addition, we partnered with Benton County to ensure that we have the correct ownership information for the more than 23,000 parcels located in the district. There are 250 to 500 changes in property ownership each month. Live update status map of outages within the district. KID continues to build relationships with title and mortgage companies 7KH&XVWRPHU6HUYLFH'HSDUWPHQW regarding customer accounts, properties, and billing information. LVWKHFRPPXQLFDWLRQOLQNEHWZHHQ The Customer Service Department is the communication link between FXVWRPHUVDQGWKHRSHUDWLRQVWHDP customers and the operations team. Operations and Customer Service Department answered more than As July and August hit, warmer work together to update the water 22,000 calls in 24 working days, temperatures begin to cause algae status map of current outages so including Saturdays. April is the growth in the canals. The algae begins customers are kept up to date. This busiest month, not only because to cause plugs and blockages that map is updated based on repairs thousands of payments are being sometimes can affect water deliveries. WKDWDUHUHSRUWHGIURPWKH¿HOGFUHZ made, but also because water is just This delay results in customers calling and calls from customers. This map coming on, which triggers a large WR¿QGRXWZKHUHWKHZDWHULV7KLVLV enables KID customers to type in their number of calls about breaks, leaks, another opportunity for us to educate address and get information on the DQGÀRRGV7KHGLI¿FXOW\RIZDWHU our customers on the need to clean status of water as well as information start-up varies based on the type of DQGFKHFNWKHLU¿OWHUVRIWHQWRDYRLG about outages that may be affecting winter we have had as well as the a delay in water delivery and possible their water delivery. way our customers maintain their damage to their system. The most important customer SHUVRQDOLUULJDWLRQ¿OWHUVDQGSLSHV As temperatures begin to drop service job is answering each call Many customers calling in during this in October, less water is ordered, WKDWFRPHVLQWRWKHRI¿FH&XVWRPHUV time want to know why we did not incoming calls start to slow down, call us with repair requests, delivery ¿[WKHVHLVVXHVZKLOHZDWHUZDVRII sprinkler lines are blown out, and system change requests, billing in the winter months. We use this as water is turned off. The water season questions, and outage and water an opportunity to educate customers comes to a close, and the Customer damage reports, among other things. about our water rights and how issues Service Department begins to In April 2017, the Customer Service occur once water is on. strategize for the following spring. 26 Irrigation Leader Irrigation Leader 27 ABOVE: Date unknown. Original caption: Ditch Digger: without this little device, there would have been no Kennewick! RIGHT: Date unknown. Children swim in the canal in Kennewick Irrigation District.

28 Irrigation Leader 285',675,&7 The History of KENNEWICK IRRIGATION DISTRICT

Irrigation in the Yakima Valley has a long and productive history. In the Tri-Cities area, the feasibility of diverting Yakima River water out of the river to the surrounding farmlands was ĆUVWVWXGLHGLQZLWKIRUPDWLRQRIWKH'HOO Haven Irrigation District. 7KHĆUVWDFWXDOZDWHUULJKWVIRUGLYHUVLRQ of Yakima River water for the present-day 7UL&LWLHVDUHDFDPHLQZKHQWKH Yakima Irrigation and Improvement Company obtained a 300-cubic-feet-per-second right on the south bank of the Yakima River, known as Horn Rapids.

1893 1901

The Yakima Irrigation The Dell Haven Irrigation and Improvement District was sold by court- Company conveyed the ordered auction to the Kennewick Canal (now Northwestern Improvement known as the Columbia Company. Irrigation District Canal) system to the Dell Haven Irrigation District, and canal construction was completed. The present- day Canal Drive was named for the Columbia Irrigation District Canal that parallels it.

Irrigation Leader 29 1904 1905 1906 1909

The deed of transfer from 7KH1RUWKHUQ3DFLĆF The Highland Water Users The Low Lift Canal was the Northwestern Irrigation Irrigation Company Association was formed. It completed and placed Company to the Northern rehabilitated the constructed a pumping plant into service, serving lands 3DFLĆF,UULJDWLRQ&RPSDQ\ Kennewick Canal. at the north end of Edison north of 4th Street to the was completed. Street in 1908 and 1909 Kennewick Canal. to serve the Kennewick +LJKODQGV7KLVZDVWKHĆUVW time Kennewick property received irrigation water.

ABOVE: Building dam at head of Kennewick Canal (Horn Rapids Dam), September 1908. RIGHT: Raising the trestle at Badger Canyon. June 18, 1909.

1910 1914 1917 1918

The High Lift Canal was 7KH1RUWKHUQ3DFLĆF The Kennewick The Columbia Irrigation completed, serving land Irrigation Company Irrigation District was 'LVWULFWZDVRIĆFLDOO\ between the Low Lift Canal deeded over the irrigation RIĆFLDOO\RUJDQL]HG organized. The Northern to the north and 10th and system, which included 3DFLĆF,UULJDWLRQ&RPSDQ\ 14th Streets to the south. the pumping plant, the deeded Horn Rapids Dam, pipelines, the canals, and water rights, canals, and all appurtenances, to the all appurtenances to the Highland Water Users Columbia Irrigation District. Association.

30 Irrigation Leader 1919 1930 1948

The Kennewick Irrigation 7KH+LJKODQG:DWHU8VHUV$VVRFLDWLRQLQĆQDQFLDOWURXEOH A second attempt to District attempted for the and unable to continue the irrigation system, dissolved, appropriate funds to ĆUVWWLPHWRFRQVWUXFWWKH and the entire system was taken over by the Kennewick construct the New Lands New Lands Project; however, Irrigation District. That same year, a contract between Project passed Congress, funding failed to pass in the Kennewick Irrigation District and the U.S. Bureau of appropriating funds to Congress. Reclamation transferred to Reclamation, the Prosser Dam, construct facilities to irrigate Kennewick Irrigation District water rights, and Chandler an additional 14,534 acres. Power Canal right-of-way in return for the rehabilitation of the Kennewick Highlands irrigation system.

Irrigation Leader 31 1957 1958

The Kennewick New Lands The Kennewick Irrigation Main Canal and Lateral District Main Canal and 6\VWHPĆUVWGHOLYHUVZDWHU associated laterals was passed to the Kennewick Irrigation District for operation and maintenance. Under the existing contract with the Reclamation, the district will operate and maintain the irrigation system for Reclamation and as a contractual payment obligation for construction of the irrigation system until the year 2025.

ABOVE: First water delivery ceremony in Kennewick, Washington, on April 26, 1957. Pictured: Floyd Dominy (Chief, Irrigation Division, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), Warren Magnuson (United States Senate), Henry Jackson (United States Senate), Walter Crayne (KID Board), Orvel Terril (KID Board Chairman), W.A. Sloan (KID ABOVE: 1950s. The pipe carries water from the Board), Van Nutley (KID Manager), K.J. Brand (KID Manager, retired), O.W. Lindgren main canal across Badger Draw to the Badger (Superintendent, Yakima Project), Don Creswell (President, Franklin County Irrigation east and west laterals. The siphon is 3,100 feet District), H.T. Nelson (Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, ID), W.L. long, 48 inches in diameter, and carries water to Karrer (Construction Engineer, Kennewick Division). serve 2,970 acres. 32 Irrigation Leader TODAY

Presently, the Kennewick Irrigation Mt. Rainier. Each piece of property District, both old and new lands, is entitled to a water allocation encompasses 20,201 irrigable acres. equivalent to 42 inches of water, The district is composed of which, for context, is the annual more than 70 miles of open canals rainfall in Seattle. and laterals along with more than The Kennewick Irrigation District 300 miles of buried pipelines. diverts its water out of the Yakima The district services a host of River at Prosser Dam located at varied pumps, weed screens, canal Prosser, Washington. From that crossings, and associated facilities, point, the canal runs on the north all designed for the delivery of side of the Yakima River to the irrigation water. midway point between Prosser Our irrigation season normally and Benton City, where it crosses runs April 1–October 15, or underneath the Yakima River in a approximately 198 irrigating days. 99-inch pipe to the south side of the During the course of the irrigation ULYHUZKHUHLWWKHQćRZVWKURXJK season, the district will have Badger Canyon, South Kennewick, delivered 85,000–90,000 acre-feet and South Finley to a point of water to the irrigable lands in commonly referred to as Hover. the district. This represents almost At Hover (directly across the river three times the capacity of Bumping from the Boise Cascade Plant), the Lake, a popular camping and spill from the end canal runs into the summer recreation reservoir near Columbia River.

LEFT: First Water Delivery ceremony for the Kennewick Irrigation District, April 26, 1957. Original caption in Tri-City Herald: Climax of the Kennewick Highlands Project dedication this morning came when Don Cresswell Climbed the delivery box to turn the water onto his farm unit that was first settled over a half century ago, and then given up when no irrigation water arrived. BELOW: Present-day Kennewick Irrigation District.

Irrigation Leader 33 285',675,&7 %XGJHWLQJIRU.HQQHZLFN ,UULJDWLRQ'LVWULFWłV)XWXUH

Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) would not exist considers public safety, customer service improvement, today if the organization were not dedicated to both and cost savings. WKHVKRUWDQGORQJWHUPEHQH¿WRIRXUDJULFXOWXUDODQG • Scheduling maintenance work and equipment residential customers. The forward-thinking individuals replacement to get maximum return. of the early 20th century worked for decades to lay the • &URVVWUDLQLQJ¿HOGHPSOR\HHVVRWKDWWKH\FDQEH foundation for the formal creation of KID as a special deployed across multiple projects as needed. purpose district in 1917. Local farmers and residents • Consolidating new development projects with existing continued to pursue that vision for nearly 40 more years, infrastructure to build easier-to-manage irrigation until the authorization and initial funding was secured to V\VWHPVDOORZLQJIRUIXWXUHRSHUDWLRQDOHI¿FLHQFLHVDQG build all of KID’s core canals in 1954, respectively. better service delivery. Under the current KID leadership, this forward-looking emphasis has continued, with major efforts to preserve SAVING KID’s full water rights (especially during drought years), As part of KID’s policy for short- and long-term electrify Chandler, and pursue title transfer of KID’s management, the district has created a number of special facilities from the federal government to the district. Some LQWHUQDOIXQGVIRFXVHGRQ¿VFDOHI¿FLHQF\DQGORQJWHUP of these projects have time frames of 5, 25, and 50 years; planning. All expenditures from these funds require board others require unending diligence. approval. The funds include the following: • Risk Management Fund—An emergency fund that PLANNING builds up over time, “to be used only in the event the KID’s annual budget process and 6-year capital program District loses control of water in canals, waste ways, and focus on applying staff and capital resources in a timely SLSHV´7KLVIXQGH[HPSOL¿HV¿QDQFLDOSUXGHQFHLQWKH and cost-effective manner. Planning strategies include the case of potential losses related to canal and pipe breaks. following: • Drought Mitigation Reserve—Initially front loaded with • Prioritizing capital projects using a decision model that $1 million, this reserve is funded annually with $75,000 34 Irrigation Leader from operating funds, up to a designated reserve level targeted to cover the extra expenses the district incurs HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS in drought years. This reserve ensures that funds are As part of its commitment to be a responsible DYDLODEOHGXULQJDOUHDG\GLI¿FXOWGURXJKW\HDUVZLWKRXW steward of public funds and maximize the utility adverse effects on that year’s budget or our customers. RILWVĆVFDOUHVRXUFHV.,'KDVDSSOLHGIRUDQG • Conservation Capital Project Reserve—Contributions received three federal WaterSMART grants. These from operating funds are used to create a funding source grants have allowed KID to accelerate its canal designated for conservation-related capital improvement lining program, making our canals safer, conserving projects. For example, these funds can be used for KID’s more water, and saving the district millions of matching share of WaterSMART grants. dollars. • Capital Upgrade and Improvement Fund—Funds from capital assessments, capital grants, and interfund transfers are available for improvements and the BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE extension of irrigation delivery infrastructure. Projects The water delivery infrastructure for development are selected from the 6-year capital plan and as of the Southridge area in Kennewick was one such opportunities present themselves. new development project. Development in this • Equipment Replacement Fund—This fund accumulates area will take place over the next 10–20 years, to replace existing operations equipment, spreading but in 2016, in response to an unexpectedly replacement costs over a piece of equipment’s life cycle. accelerated city of Kennewick development • New Water Infrastructure and Supply Fund—This fund schedule, KID staff installed more than 2 miles of was developed in response to customer requests, made large-diameter ductile iron pipeline. The district during meetings and other communications during the elected to self-fund this multimillion-dollar 2015 drought, that KID pursue additional sources of installation, knowing there would be cost savings in water. Funded by a per-acre and per-account charge, excess of 33 percent in the long run. This pipeline this fund accumulates resources to develop new water is part of KID’s $12 million irrigation infrastructure sources for the district, especially for use in drought development plan for the Southridge area, which \HDUV7KLVZLOOJLYH.,'ÀH[LELOLW\WRGHYHORSDQG will ultimately be funded by development fees. respond to potential new water opportunities. This plan was created by KID in anticipation of the • Realty Reserves—Funded by the proceeds and any overall development of the Southridge area over interest earned from the lease or sale of parcels of real the next two decades. KID’s goal is to create the property determined to be surplus and unnecessary to PRVWFRVWHIIHFWLYHDQGHIĆFLHQWZD\WRGHOLYHU the business of KID by the board of directors, these irrigation water to that area for the next 100 years. reserves are used only to enhance the district’s ability to achieve long-term strategic planning goals, to provide prudent redundancy of other funding sources, and to SURYLGHIXQGVWRVXVWDLQWKHEHQH¿WVRILUULJDWLRQWR USING A TREASURED RESOURCE the customers in the case of unforeseen changes in the The Realty Reserve is a key strategic resource for irrigation sector. KID’s future. Any expenditure from this fund must Each fund collects for current and possible future be approved by the board. The KID management activities, so that as the funds are needed, they will not team is focused on preserving the capital in this affect current-year budgets. In many cases, the funds are fund. Discussions about using Realty Reserve accumulated slowly over time, and costs for one-time funds for a special project are accompanied with a events are spread over a span of years, creating a smoother discussion about how those funds might be repaid. budgeting process. The Realty Reserve provided critical funding to the Red Mountain Project. This funding was COMMITMENT TO STEWARDSHIP made with the knowledge that the principle and 7KH¿VFDOFRPSRQHQWRIWKLVW\SHRIIRUZDUGWKLQNLQJDQG interest will be repaid from a secure and dedicated long-term planning is manifested in KID’s focus: Being a income stream. The interest rate was established cautious and thoughtful steward of its current and future based on commercial market rates (6.1 percent ¿VFDOUHVRXUFHV7KLVVWHZDUGVKLSLQFOXGHVRSWLPL]LQJWKH annually) and is far in excess of the interest the EHQH¿WVUHFHLYHGIURPWKHHI¿FLHQWXVHRI¿VFDOUHVRXUFHV funds were earning previously. Proceeds from the intended for operations, capital projects, and development, Red Mountain Project allowed KID to enhance and applying resources derived from the use, sale, and or operational capacity and start replacing aged lease of properties from KID’s extensive land portfolio infrastructure. judiciously and in a measured way. Irrigation Leader 35 THE NEXT 100 YEARS AT KENNEWICK IRRIGATION DISTRICT

36 Irrigation Leader redecessors of the modern Kennewick Irrigation within the Tri-Cities region for partnerships that would District (KID) existed under different names dating EHQH¿WDOOORFDOZDWHUXVHUV2SSRUWXQLWLHVIRUFRRSHUDWLRQ Pback to the late 1800s and were major contributors coordination, or consolidation with other water users would in the creation of the city of Kennewick, writes Dorothy radically change how water is managed and delivered to Zeisler-Vralsted in her dissertation, History of the customers in the Tri-Cities. Kennewick Irrigation District, State of Washington, On the south bank of the Columbia River, there are three 1880 to 1987. irrigation districts serving the Tri-Cities area of Benton Today, KID is part of the Kennewick Division of the County: Badger Mountain Irrigation District (BMID), the Yakima Project of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Columbia Irrigation District (CID), and KID. If these three importance of our predecessors’ efforts to create the agencies work together, great things would materialize for framework for the modern KID cannot be underestimated. our region. BMID has an existing Columbia River water &RQ¿GHQWSURPRWHUVRIEULQJLQJLUULJDWLRQZDWHUWR right and pumping facility, and CID has its main canal Kennewick organized KID in 1917 but would have to approximately 75 feet away from the BMID pumping plant. wait until 1948 for congressional authorization of the KID receives up to 6 cubic feet per second per day of its Kennewick Division, with the irrigation system coming on water carried by CID under an agreement going back to the line 9 years later when the new Chandler Hydraulic Pumps early 1920s. CID is the last major Yakima River water user, GHOLYHUHGSURMHFWZDWHULQWRWKHPDLQFDQDOIRUWKH¿UVWWLPH diverting at the Wanawish Dam located 18 miles upstream in 1957. It will take the same visionary approach today to IURPWKHFRQÀXHQFHZLWKWKH&ROXPELD5LYHU ensure that KID is still prospering 100 years from now. Pumping costs to lift the water from the Columbia The priority for the district over the next 100 years River into the upper elevation areas of KID is a big cost will be, to no one’s surprise, water supply. Technology driver; however, if BMID pumps new water for KID and will continue to evolve, and with adverse effects of discharges it into CID’s main canal, KID would pick it up a climate change looming, KID will take advantage of new few miles down canal to serve lower elevation customers, technologies to help manage our allocation in times of thus reducing the lift required when compared to a direct plenty and in times of drought. The biggest challenge pump from the Columbia River. Higher elevations would will be to secure new water rights to meet new irrigation continue to be served with Yakima River water. The demands in areas surrounding the district that are prime challenge is to bring together these three districts, which targets for agricultural expansion. have a long history of working together on smaller projects. :LWKLWVDPSOHGURXJKWUHVLVWDQWÀRZVWKHQHDUE\ These districts must focus their efforts on the next big Columbia River is the obvious water source, but it comes water project that will allow for irrigated agriculture and at a high cost, estimated to be over $100 million today for a vibrant urban landscape far into a new century, while a new pump station and related infrastructure. And, these creating drought resiliency that will allow KID to continue costs will keep rising. Unique opportunities exist, however, to make the desert bloom.

Irrigation Leader 37 Automated, Accurate Remote Data Collection Learn More or Request a Quote: www.mccrometer.com/flowconnect McCrometer Headquarters: 3255 W. Stetson Ave., Hemet, CA 92545, (800) 220 - 2279 Congratulations!RH2 Engineering is proud to celebrate Kennewick Irrigation District’s centennial anniversary. We look forward to helping you make the desert bloom for another 100 years!

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