Author(s): Jonathan Burgi
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Abstract: In the early 1900's Central Oregon changed with the introduction of irrigated agriculture. The last 100 years have brought many changes to the simple life that greeted the early settlers. Many of these changes are a result of the high rate of population growth in the last two decades. While expansion of urban areas and development around historic open canals is inevitable, it creates a framework for conflict. Conflicts range from land use to water conservation to environmental issues to safety. Many irrigation districts, driven by numerous benefits, pipe canals through the urban settings. Swalley Irrigation District is one of the districts that has been and continues to work through levels of this conflict within the City of Bend, Oregon as the District pipes its main canal. The designer and construction manager must consider all technical challenges such as surveying access, vertical and horizontal pipe alignment, easement encroachment, road crossings, construction access, sleeving through existing pipes, and water delivery. In addition to these challenges, the engineer and irrigation district must consider the social, legal and political issues that affect the larger community. This paper will review some of the struggles encountered throughout the design, construction and startup of the Swalley Main Canal Pipeline and offer recommendations based on experience for other similar projects.
Year: 2009