Melhase Irrigation Diversion

Melhase Irrigation Diversion

Background:

This remote irrigation diversion was retrofitted with a 14-ft (4.3-m) diameter, 41-inch (1.0 m) high cone screen to reduce potential impacts to fish at the point of diversion from the Wood River. This solar power brush-cleaned screen includes 1.75-mm slot openings and has a capacity of 70 cfs (45.2 MGD; 7,136 m³/h) at a 0.4 fps (cm/s) approach velocity. The screen was equipped with a 6-ft x 20-ft (1.8-m x 0.6-m) rectangular outlet plenum and wetwell with manual gate to control flow into the diversion. The 500 Watt solar powered system includes 6 deep cell batteries, cabinet, and charging system.

Benefit of ISI System

ISI's conical shaped screen enables this shallow water diversion to meet fish protection criteria by placing a large screen surface area in a relatively small project footprint. The brush-cleaning system maintains a clean screen surface and therefore maintains the regulatory required approach velocity during water diversion. The solar power system allowed the project to be completed without the need to run power to the site and the low profile plenum minimized excavation requirements during installation. The wet well and manual gate allow the operator to control flow through the system including turning off flow outside of the irrigation season.

Owner:

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Engineer(s):

Trout Unlimited

General Contractor:

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Location:

Wood River, Klamath County, OR