04/13/05 Wilderness irrigation dam cracks

04/13/05 Wilderness irrigation dam cracks

Washington Ag April 13, 2005 As if this year's snow drought wasn't bad enough, a crack has been found in a dam at Colchuck Lake in the Stuart Range which has prompted the Washington Department of Ecology to limit how much water can be stored there until the damage can be thoroughly investigated and repaired. The rock and masonry dam belongs to the Icicle Irrigation District and is one of several small lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness that serves irrigators in the Leavenworth area. Ecology director Jay Manning is offering the irrigation district DOE engineering expertise and drought funds to help pay for dam repair, or lease additional water, should the reservoir not be available for full storage. Meanwhile, in its weekly drought update Ecology says it has received 75 requests from water users in the Yakima River basin to drill new or reactivate existing emergency wells. The department has approved 30 requests and denied six. One request was withdrawn by the applicant. The Washington Asparagus Commission is holding a special meeting tomorrow April 14th at one p.m. at the Franklin County PUD in Pasco. The commodity group says the purpose of the meeting is to discuss policy on the relationship between the commission and buyers of asparagus. All growers and interested parties are welcome to attend. I'm Bob Hoff.
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