Daly Ditches Irrigation District History

• Infrastructure built in late 1880’s by private entity
• Daly Ditches Irrigation District (DDID) founded in 1982
• Primary purpose: Irrigation
• Acres Irrigated: 6,108
• Number of users: 778
• Total Diversion (cfs): 140 from Hedge Dam
• Primary Diversion Point: Bitterroot River

Project History

The Hedge Canal Diversion Dam was originally constructed in 1908 and was a low head timber crib dam located on the Bitterroot River, 6 miles north of Darby. The structure was 320 feet long, 16 wide and has an estimated 3’ drop.  The structure had been exhibiting significant issues since the mid-1980’s and had been shifting downstream significantly. Additional problems included weakening of the canal bank, river bank erosion and high turbidity. Replacement of the structure was identified as a priority project to secure water to users and mitigate fish entrainment.  These issues resulted in constant maintenance by DDID crews over the past decade. This diversion dam provides water to 41% of district water users.

Work Breakdown

• Phase I

  • Construction of a new low head dam (tightly grouted rock)
  • Diversion apron
  • Concrete abutment wall and grout cut-off wall
  • Canal intake structure (with headgates and trash rack)

   

  Phase II

  • Boater notch
  • Fish screen installation

Project Funding

The total cost of the project (both phases) was $1,275,670.31. To finance the project, the DDID used the following grant and loan programs:

• US Army Corps of Engineers: $431,500
  • Bi-annual appropriations from the Montana Legislature in the form of ACOE O&M Supplement
• American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA): $290,000
  • DDID secured a one-time allocation through the ARRA funding.
• DNRC RRGL Grant: $100,000
• Montana FWP Future Fisheries Program: $98,000
  • Future Fisheries participated in this project due to the incorporation of a fish screen to prevent fish entrainment in the ditch
• DNRC RRGL Loan: $350,000
  • The remaining funding was secured through a loan from the DNRC. No DDID user rate increases were necessary to cover the cost of the loan repayment.
• DDID in-kind work: $6,170.30

Project Status & Results

• Project (Phase I) completed in 2010
• Phase II completed in 2011 and was the construction of a boater passage notch and vertical plate fish screen

Project Partners

Owner: Daly Ditches Irrigation District

Engineer: Morrison-Maierle, Inc.

Contractor: Patterson Enterprises

Construction Oversight: DDID, Morrison-Maierle, USACE