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    • Orchard Homes Ditch Intake Improvements (2012) Orchard Homes Ditch Company (OHDC)

    Orchard_Location.PNG

    Orchard Homes Ditch Company History

    • Infrastructure largely completed in early 1900’s
    • Primary purpose: Irrigation
    • Acres Irrigated: 200
    • Total Diversion: 7 cfs
    • Primary Diversion Point: Clark Fork River

    Project History

    Since its initial construction almost a century ago, the Orchard Home Ditch Company infrastructure has serviced several hundred users within the Missoula Valley, primarily urban irrigators growing produce.  The OHDC also provides water to the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department for use in City Parks and Silvers Lagoon. 

    The existing intake structure located on the Clark Fork River was over 60 years old and in dire need of numerous improvements, to ensure adequate water delivery to its users.  The intake structure exhibited poor slide gate functionality and sealing, debris and sediment issues (requiring constant maintenance), poor concrete quality and return channel weir initial design problems.

    After looking at project alternatives, it was decided that numerous improvements were necessary to the intake.  These improvements will ensure water delivery to users and will increase the quality management of the infrastructure.

    Work Breakdown

    • Headgate replacement (slide gates)
    • Flow gage
    • Intake diversion
    • Log grate

    Orchard_Breakdown.PNG

    Project Funding

    The total cost of the project was $119,000. To finance the project, Orchard Homes Ditch Company used the following funding sources:

    • DNRC RRGL Grant: $100,000
      • Missoula Conservation District applied on behalf of the Company for the RRG grant, due to their status as a company
    • DNRC IDG Grant: $12,000
      • Grant available to private infrastructure work
    • Private Irrigation Grant: $5,000
    • Orchard Homes Ditch Company:
      • $2,000 cash
      • Project management (not quantified)

    Project Status & Results

    • Project successfully completed in 2014
    • The diversion is adjustable and requires maintenance to account for flow variation and log placement
    • Project ensures water delivery and subsequent benefits including access to local produce, urban agricultural and natural resource benefits from recreation in city parks and lagoons.

     

    Project Partners

           Owner: Orchard Homes Ditch Company

           Lead Design Engineer: Morrison-Maierle, Inc.

           Prime Contractor: Patterson Enterprises, Inc.

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