The Duchesne County Commission is weighing in on the Yellowstone Feeder Canal repair project proposed by the Moon Lake Water Users Association. In a letter signed
on Monday
and addressing the Bureau of Reclamation office in Provo, the Commissioners state their support of “lining segments of the deteriorated concrete canal (and an earthen embankment section) with a geomembrane liner, covered with at least three inches of shotcrete or concrete.” The canal currently leaks 30 to 40 percent of its water resulting in the loss of over 6,000 acre-feet of water every year which directly affects water rights holders in Neola, Monarch, Cedarview and some areas of western Uintah County. Moon Lake Water Users Association has proposed piping the canal among the options to solve these issues. The Commission states that lining the canal is a superior alternative to piping the canal and emphasizes that piping is “more expensive and would eliminate a water source for wildlife and tribal livestock grazing along the route.” The Duchesne County Commission hopes the construction of lining the canal can begin this Fall in order to be complete by spring, in time for the next irrigation season.
