Tualatin Valley Irrigation District
Irrigation Water in Oregon's Green Willamette Valley
Tualatin Project, Oregon
This 1967 photo shows a
33-inch pipeline being installed on the Tualatin Project in Oregon's
Willamette Valley. This project, authorized by Congress in 1966, was the
last Bureau of Reclamation project authorized in the Pacific Northwest.
(Note: There have been later re-authorizations for Projects in the region.)
It is the only Reclamation Project in the Willamette Valley.
Known as the "Twality Plains" in the pioneer era, the area was one of the earliest farming settlements in Oregon. Agriculture developed quickly. From a small beginning in the 1930's, irrigation increased substantially. By the late 1950s, only about 6,000 acres of the Tualatin Basin were inadequately irrigated.
However, flooding and draining problems had been a source of concern since the early settlement days. Reclamation began studies in the area in 1948 and, followed by locally-held meetings to formulate the type of irrigation development best suited to the area. A report in 1956 analyzed storage at the site of present-day Scoggins Reservoir, but following review of this report, it became apparent there was a greater need for municipal and industrial water than originally anticipated. A feasibility report issued in1963 identified irrigation water for 17,000 acres of land, 14,000 acre-feet of municipal and industrial water, and water for fish and wildlife, recreation, quality control, and flood control benefits. On the basis of this plan, the project was authorized in 1966.
The principal features of the Tualatin Project include Scoggins Dam, Henry Hagg Lake, Patton Valley Pumping Plant, Spring Hill Pumping Plant, and more than 120 miles of a piped distribution system.
Scoggins Dam, Henry Hagg Lake, and related recreation facilities were initially operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation. However, the Tualatin Valley Irrigation District is now responsible for the operation and maintenance of Scoggins Dam and Patton Valley and Spring Hill pumping plants. The recreation facilities are operated and maintained by Washington County.
The Patton Valley Plant is located on Scoggins Creek and provides water for the Patton Valley area and upper Tualatin River. The Springhill Pump Plant has four 350 HP pumps and five 1500 HP pumps which withdraw water from the Tualatin River for distribution through the North, East and West pipelines. Water is delivered via the Tualatin River for irrigators who pump directly from the river. TVID personnel routinely inspect and maintain miles of pipeline checking for damage or leaks. Field technicians also routinely inspect flow meters to assure accurate measurement of water use is recorded.
In 1999, water managers in Washington County completed the Integrated Water Resources Management strategy, a framework for water users and resource managers to meet shared objectives even though their needs and issues vary widely. They agreed the top priority was water supply. The near-drought conditions of 2001 underscored this need, and the managers embarked on a two-year technical evaluation of options to meet water demands through the year 2050. This study, which began in October 2001, will continue for 18 months to two years. Upon completion of the study, a decision will be made whether to proceed.
Repairing Pipelines
TVID maintains all pressurized
pipelines in the district
City of Hillsboro
A new section of pipeline was
installed Fall 2001
Meter, Valve & PRV
All water is metered and recorded