Bridge Creek Pipeline Project News

The City continues to move forward with plans to replace Bend’s surface water pipelines and modify the existing intake facility.

The existing pipelines are aging and vulnerable to tree roots and fires. The system lacks modern flow controls that are needed to avoid unnecessary water diversion. For the last 55 years, the City has diverted water at a constant rate of 18.2 cubic feet per second (cfs), even when actual municipal use was less. With the project, new flow controls will allow the City to take only the water it needs for municipal use. This will help decrease water temperatures through leaving flow in Tumalo Creek when it is not needed for municipal use in Bend.

While extensive environmental studies on the project’s impacts have already been completed, the Forest Service, in cooperation with the City, will further clarify and conduct additional environmental analysis over the next months. This additional work is being planned to address judicial concerns expressed in a recent decision that resulted in a preliminary injunction. Visit the Forest Service website for more information.

As part of this additional analysis, the City has proposed to limit its diversion to the historical use of 18.2 cfs. This additional environmental impact analysis is expected to be completed in time to allow the construction project to move forward in late spring 2013, which should meet the County’s timeline to coordinate this project with the rebuilding of Skyliners Road, saving ratepayers millions of dollars.

Project updates will be shared regularly at City Council meetings, City newsletters and online. Please check the project website regularly for information updates.

Sincerely,

Heidi Lansdowne
City of Bend Project Manager