By Paul DeMaggio – Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District
In 2018, Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID) began constructing its largest irrigation infrastructure improvement project since the 1950’s. The Hopkins Canal Pipeline project aimed to convert over 3 miles of open canal, 3 old concrete flumes, and an old inverted siphon to a new pressurized pipeline. The goal was to conserve water instream for fish habitat in a highly productive Rogue River tributary, replace aging, leaky and unsafe infrastructure, to improve conveyance efficiency and to provide clean pressurized water to over 700 acres of farmland classified as farmland of statewide importance. The project completed all its goals in 2019 for water conservation and conveyance efficiency and is now considered the largest pressurized irrigation pipeline in Jackson County.
The Little Butte Creek Watershed is considered one of the prime spawning tributaries for salmonids, especially Coho. In fact, outside the Columbia River Basin, it is believed to have the highest spawning returns of any tributary. Little Butte Creek and its tributary, Antelope Creek, are also water quality limited for a variety of factors that negatively impact fish and wildlife. These factors include sedimentation, bacteria and temperature.
Click on the map for an interactive view of the project, and to learn more:
