The Diversion on the Yakima River was originally constructed in 1916 by the BIA and includes two diversion structures spanning the east and west channels of the Yakima River south of Union Gap, WA. This facility is the primary point of diversion for the Wapato-Satus Unit of the Wapato Irrigation Project (WIP), allowing diversion of approximately 2,040 cfs into the WIP Main Canal.
Previous work on the diversion structures include:
Ongoing operational, structural, and environmental issues impact the short-term delivery of irrigation water and the long-term operation of the Diversion facilities. The BIA has partnered with the Yakama Nation to perform temporary repairs on the Main Canal Headworks structure adjacent the Diversion to help alleviate short-term operational concerns and extend the operable service life of the existing headworks. The BIA and Yakama Nation have hired the engineering firm DOWL to develop and design a more permanent solution addressing the operational, structural, and environmental issues of the facility.