Middle Methow Instream Flow Enhancement Project | BOR PN 18 N005

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR PN 18 N005

The Middle Methow Instream Flow Enhancement Project is a Bureau of Reclamation funding opportunity focused on improving habitat conditions for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonids in the Methow River in north-central Washington. The work targets the mainstem reach between Winthrop and Twisp (often referred to as the M2 Reach), where instream flows are important for fish survival and productivity. The overall intent is straightforward: reduce the amount of river water effectively lost to inefficient diversion and conveyance systems, return more water to the river when and where it matters most, and cut down on direct and indirect impacts to listed fish associated with diversion infrastructure.

A central element of the project is increasing irrigation delivery efficiency by converting existing earthen canals to piped systems and improving how the canals are managed. Earthen canals typically lose water through seepage, evaporation, and operational spill, so piping them can substantially reduce those losses and make it easier to control delivery volumes. Alongside physical piping, the opportunity description emphasizes upgraded efficiency practices and technology for canal management, which commonly includes improved measurement, control structures, and operational changes that reduce wasted water. The practical outcome of these improvements is that irrigators can meet their needs with less diversion from the river, leaving more flow instream to support salmonid rearing, migration, and overall productivity.

Another major goal is consolidation of two diversion systems: the Barkley diversion and the Methow Valley Irrigation District (MVID) diversion. The project aims to reduce maintenance-related impacts and share an east side diversion that has already been completed, rather than continuing to operate and maintain separate diversion points. The consolidation would occur by moving the Barkley point of diversion (POD) downstream by about four miles. Shifting the diversion location downstream is described as a way to reduce harm and mortality risks to ESA-listed fish species, since diversion structures can entrain fish, create migration barriers or hazards, and increase localized disturbance during operation and maintenance. The approach described involves pumping water from below the MVID diversion into the historic Barkley ditch, with the Barkley conveyance then being piped. In other words, the Barkley system would rely on water supplied from a downstream location via pumping and a modernized (piped) conveyance route, instead of continuing to divert at the existing Barkley location.

The project also includes an ecological reconnection benefit tied to Bear Creek. Under current conditions described in the notice, Bear Creek is dumped into the Barkley Canal rather than flowing naturally to the Methow River. By moving and modifying the Barkley diversion, Bear Creek would be reconnected to the Methow River, which can improve tributary-mainstem connectivity, restore more natural flow routing, and enhance habitat function for fish and other aquatic species. This kind of reconnection can help by restoring more natural hydrology and potentially improving water quality and habitat complexity where the tributary meets the river.

From an administrative standpoint, this was a mandatory federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under Funding Opportunity Number BOR PN 18 N005 and CFDA 15.517. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, indicating the agency expects to have substantial involvement during project implementation rather than issuing a simple pass-through grant. Eligibility was limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $239,200. The notice was created January 11, 2018, with an original application closing date of January 26, 2018.

In plain terms, this opportunity supported a targeted set of irrigation infrastructure and operations upgrades intended to keep more water in the Methow River through efficiency gains, reduce fish impacts by consolidating and relocating diversion operations, and restore a more natural connection between Bear Creek and the Methow River. The expected result is a river reach with improved instream flow conditions and fewer diversion-related risks to ESA-listed salmonids, while still maintaining irrigation service through a more modern, efficient, and coordinated diversion and conveyance system.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Middle Methow Instream Flow Enhancement Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.517.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 11, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 26, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $239,200.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for BOR PN 18 N005

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