Canal Irrigation

Irrigation District staff lay down a fabric mat to reduce erosion of excavated soil.

Permanent Repairs Set for Tunnels on Wyoming-Nebraska Irrigation Canal

November 20, 2019
Irrigation Districts serving eastern Wyoming-western Nebraska growers are moving forward with plans to repair tunnels along the 129-mile irrigation canal.

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Water is flowing again at the tunnel entrance on the Gering-Fort Laramie and Goshen Irrigation Canal
The Goshen/Gering-Ft Laramie irrigation canal is again supplying water to growers in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Update on North Platte River Valley Canal Irrigation System

September 13, 2019
With a preliminary fix in place for the Goshen/Gering-Ft Laramie irrigation canal, irrigation district and government officials are now looking at the next steps for ensuring the whole canal can be a consistent source of water for upcoming cropping seasons.

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Water is flowing again in the Gering-Fort Laramie and Goshen Irrigation Canal
Water is flowing again in the Gering-Fort Laramie and Goshen Irrigation Canal and tunnel

Water Flowing Again in the Gering-Fort Laramie and Goshen Irrigation Canal

August 30, 2019
Water began flowing in the Gering-Fort Laramie and Goshen irrigation canal early Aug. 28 for the first time in about six weeks. Repairs to a canal tunnel are enough to allow water flow, but likely are not permanent. Our story includes a slideshow and three time-lapse videos of crops growing in the affected area.

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A screen capture from a time-lapse video of dry edible beans without irigation

Some Fields Doing Better Than Expected Without Irrigation, Some Not

August 23, 2019
Time-lapse videos and photos capture the status of crops affected by the loss of irrigation water to growers in the North Platte River Valley in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.

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Excavation continues above the tunnel collapse. A series of three trench boxes, each 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long will be dropped down into the space as soil is removed. (Photo courtesy the Goshen Irrigation District)
Figure 1. Excavation continues above the tunnel collapse and on Friday a series of three trench boxes, each 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long, were droppped down on top of the tunnel to create a safe place for working. (Photo courtesy the Goshen Irrigation District)

Update on Canal Repairs Affecting Growers in Nebraska and Wyoming

August 23, 2019
Work continues to excavate soil above the irrigation tunnel collapse just south of Fort Laramie. A series of trench boxes is being installed to facilitate safe conditions for continued digging. Prospects remain uncertain for restoring water this irrigation season.

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Workers examine the site of the smaller of the two tunnel collapses.
Figure 1. Workers examine the site of the smaller of the two tunnel collapses. This week it was determined that the resulting loss of canal irrigation to growers in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska was an insurable event.

Irrigation Tunnel Collapse Found to be an Insurable Event

August 23, 2019
Today, growers and nearby communities breathed a sigh of relief as the USDA Risk Management Agency announced that the water loss resulting from Goshen/Gering-Ft. Laramie Canal tunnel collapse was an insurable loss.

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Bird's eye view of repair work underway on the canal and tunnel area
Figure 1. A bird's eye view of the land work to repair the irrigation canal and excavate the collapsed area above the tunnel. (Photos by Rick Preston)

Update: Tunnel Repair Continues 'Round the Clock'

August 16, 2019
Repairs to the Gering-Fort Laramie-Goshen irrigation canal and tunnel are progressing, although it’s still too early to determine when water flow will be restored, growers were told Monday at stakeholder meetings in Nebraska and Wyoming. A photo series helps tell the story of progress.

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Efforts are ongoing to repair the tunnel section of the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Irrigation canal that collapsed July 17. This photo was taken August 8.
Figure 1. Efforts are ongoing to repair the tunnel section of the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Irrigation canal that collapsed July 17. This photo was taken August 8. (Photos by Gary Stone)

Potential Economic Impact of Tunnel Collapse is $89 Million

August 15, 2019
The economic impact of the July 17 tunnel collapse on the Gering-Fort Laramie Canal could climb as high as $89 million if the loss of irrigation water results in a total crop failure, according to a new report issued by University of Wyoming Extension and Nebraska Extension.

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