$1.07 million Sequim Prairie Reservoir Project will keep more water in Dungeness River

SEQUIM — Fish in the Dungeness River and crops in the fields northeast of Sequim can have their water and drink it, too, thanks to the recently completed Sequim Prairie Reservoir Project.

The $1.07 million system, built near the intersection of Schmuck and Port Williams roads, will take less water from the river than in previous years, said state Salmon Recovery Board spokeswoman Susan Zemek.

Traditionally, farmers have diverted Dungeness River water into open ditches, where some of it evaporated. And whatever wasn’t used by farmers flowed into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, said Zemek.

Now a 4 million gallon capacity reservoir will store the overflow for later use.

And 23,000 feet of PVC pipe, laid in enclosed ditches, will distribute the water.

So less of it will evaporate, Zemek added. The old open ditches will no longer be used.

Risks reduced to species

The Dungeness River can get low in summer, she said, so the more efficient irrigation system will reduce risks to three threatened species — chinook salmon, summer chum and bull trout.

“Roughly this project will save about 81 gallons per hour,” compared with flows through the old ditches, Zemek said.

“That’s water that would have been taken out of the stream that will now stay in the stream.”

The river will keep more of its water during the season when the salmon are rearing their young, Zemek added.

Gary Smith, whose family has run the Maple View farm off Schmuck Road for three generations, shepherded the Sequim Prairie project through the funding and construction process.

Grants from the state Salmon Recovery Board and Washington Conservation Commission funded the reservoir, piping and a central pumping station, which is more energy-efficient than the previously scattered pumps.

The pump and pipes will distribute water to the Graysmarsh farm, Sequim Valley Ranch, Smith’s farm and the Shirkey lavender farm.

Hay, cauliflower, lavender, cabbage and corn are among the crops to be irrigated.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading