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Council presses for partner funding on $2.5M Gordon Creek irrigation overhaul
Summary
A proposed multi‑phase irrigation and diversion upgrade at Gordon Creek WMA drew extended debate. The council approved a phased approach and asked staff to secure external partners to cover the majority of the cost before committing significant council funds.
SOUTHEAST REGION — The Habitat Council on Jan. 28 discussed a proposed irrigation overhaul for Gordon Creek Wildlife Management Area that presenters estimate would cost about $855,000 for a first phase and roughly $2.5 million for full construction and engineering.
"Phase 1, if we were to phase it, would be roughly 855,000," said TJ Cook, the Southeast Region habitat manager, describing plans to rebuild a failing diversion, reroute pipe to improve head and flow and ultimately restore reliable irrigation to fields used for wildlife forage. "I think total package on this, with final engineering and then getting all of it installed, is 2,500,000.0," he added.
The proposal drew concern about asking the council to bear a large share of a single project in one fiscal year. Members underscored the Habitat Council’s relatively fixed annual allocation, its role as one funder among several and the need to avoid partial, unfinished infrastructure.
"The 1 lesson I've learned is do it right the first time," a council member said during debate, urging careful engineering and clear funding commitments before breaking ground.
After extended discussion, the council approved an amended motion asking Southeast staff to present a phased scope for Gordon Creek and to secure substantial external contributions (the amended motion specifies a target of roughly 85% external funding) before the council would commit its portion. The motion instructs staff to return to the council with partner commitments and refined cost estimates ahead of the April budget meeting.
Cook told members the work would both repair a rusted diversion culvert that is leaking water back into the creek and move pipe to a lower grade so gravity can feed fields more reliably. "We're hopeful we can bring the cost down a little bit once we do some geotechnical surveys," he said. Staff also flagged potential matching sources including sportsmen’s groups, state water optimization grants and federal cost‑share programs.
Next steps: Southeast Region staff will seek letters of support and pledge commitments from sportsmen's groups and grant programs and refine the phased engineering plan for council review in April.
Provenance: Presentation and debate at the Jan. 28 Habitat Council meeting (topic first introduced at SEG 4324 and discussed through SEG 4684).
