Funding from the DWR’s Urban Community Drought Relief Program, along with a $5 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will cover the entire cost of the $22,580,000 project.
“We are very grateful to DWR for recognizing the importance of modernizing the Palmdale Ditch that was built in the 1880s,” said PWD Board Director Scott Kellerman. “A closed pipeline will reduce water loss and save on maintenance costs.”
It will take about three years to completely enclose the 8.5-mile ditch that runs from the Littlerock Dam to Lake Palmdale, according to PWD Engineering Manager Scott Rogers. About 6.7 miles of the ditch is currently open and exposed. The remaining lengths are enclosed in pipes, tunnels and culverts.
Much of the length of the ditch has a dirt bottom, which causes water loss through seepage. Water also is lost due to evapotranspiration and overspill. Although water loss varies annually, depending on the weather, the average loss is 25 percent. Since 2010, the average water loss has been about 800 acre-feet annually, or enough water for 1,372 Palmdale households with four people.
In April, PWD received $5 million for the ditch conversion from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. Under the grant agreement, PWD had to secure the remainder $17.58 million for the project and complete it within three years.
“It’s wonderful to get these back-to-back fundings for the Palmdale Ditch,” said Rogers, who submitted the DWR grant. “In addition to reducing water loss, there are numerous other benefits, including making it safer for the crew to maintain, reducing sediment entering Lake
Palmdale from the ditch, and increasing water flow from Littlerock Dam to the lake.”
Palmdale Water District staff members spend about 400 hours a year maintaining the ditch, including clearing debris, cleaning screens and installing geosynthetic clay liners to the ditch’s dirt bottoms.
[Information via news release from Palmdale Water District.]
Previous related story: Palmdale Water District awarded $5M to convert Palmdale Ditch, reduce water loss
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Eric says
It’s a shame that the entire ditch has to be enclosed. The portion that runs by the hiking trails at barrel springs and pearblossom is so wonderful to experience. I live close to there and use those trails all the time. There are bridges over the ditch and now the “local stream” will be gone once it’s piped underground. Can they change the plan and retain a portion of it?
Let's take the soul out of this place says
This will take away a lot of sustenance from the surrounding area’s vegetation and animals that thrive from this open water. Particularly the barrel springs area where flora and fauna flourish from the banks of the ditch making it a beautiful area for rest and recreation.
Rob says
So true. I’ve explored this ditch for 50 years.
The Antelope Valley was a great place 40+ years ago.
Tim Scott says
Uhhh…no. I was in high school about 40 years ago. 2000 students. Number who had a number one goal OTHER than ‘get the heck out of the AV’? Six.
It got a whole lot better or I would NEVER have come back.
William says
Gee, Bob. What happened to you?
Brian says
Two million dollars per mile? Wow! There’s some pork in that project!