Revitalizing Water Supply and Ecosystems: The Dog River Pipeline Replacement Project

In a remarkable project demonstrating resilience and environmental stewardship, Jacobs supported the City of The Dalles through the Dog River Pipeline Replacement Project, a critical infrastructure upgrade that not only ensures a reliable water supply for the City of Dalles but also restores essential fish habitats. This project, located on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service lands, involved replacing a deteriorating 20-inch wood stave pipe installed in 1913 with a modern 30-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE)  pipeline. The new pipeline, designed to handle peak flows of 26.3 cubic feet per second, is a cornerstone in the city’s strategy to develop a more resilient water supply system.

Enhancing water supply and ecosystem health

The original pipeline, over 100 years old, was failing and leaking more than 1,000,000 gallons per day during peak spring runoff. Its deteriorating condition posed a significant threat to the city’s water supply reliability. 

Jacobs designed a 3-1/2 mile alignment of 30-inch HDPE pipeline to replace the aging 20-inch wood stave pipe. This upgrade is crucial for the city, which relies on the Dog River source for over 50% of its annual water supply. While the primary goal was to replace the pipeline, the city also committed to enhancing the local ecosystem by providing fish screening and passage systems and stewardship of historic structures. Jacobs provided environmental permitting and related services which led to approval of all required, permits, and then also included detailed cultural resource investigations and monitoring during the construction phase. . These systems are designed to restore volitional fish passage that was previously interrupted by the existing diversion dam, thereby supporting the native coastal cutthroat trout population in Dog River, a tributary to East Fork Hood River.

Jacobs’ approach to the Dog River Pipeline Replacement involved thorough alignment alternatives analyses, extensive geotechnical and geophysical investigations and detailed hydraulic and air movement evaluations. Timber removal within the pipeline corridor was carefully coordinated with a timber resource consultant and logging contractor. The design included provisions for long-term maintenance, such as blowouts,access ports at low points, and passive venting systems to protect pipeline integrity. The fish screening and passage facilities were designed to operate year-round in a remote, subalpine location, without the need for conventional screen cleaning equipment. These facilities can be adjusted during extreme winter conditions to ensure continuous operation and fish protection.

Building a resilient future

Jacobs’ ability to understand and address the complex drivers of the Dog River Pipeline Replacement project set us apart. Our team delivered the project on an aggressive schedule, ensuring the early procurement of 13,000 feet of HDPE pipe and fittings to facilitate timely construction. By collaborating with specialty subconsultants, including a pipeline construction contractor and an interpretive sign specialist, we provided high-value consulting services tailored to the unique challenges of the project. 

The completion of the Dog River Pipeline Replacement marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to secure a resilient water supply. The new pipeline allows the city to maximize its surface water rights and increase wintertime flows to the water treatment plant. This, in turn, supports the city’s aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) plan, which aims to store treated water in the winter for summer use, ensuring a stable water supply throughout the year. Jacobs’ experience in fish screening, pipeline design, and in-water permitting facilitated a swift transition from design to construction, meeting the city’s aggressive timeline.

Our work has far-reaching impacts on the industry and community:

• The city now operates a resilient water pipeline designed to last over 100 years in a fire-affected landscape.
• Fish screening and passage systems reconnect stream habitats that were isolated for over a century.
• The pipeline maximizes the watershed yield within the city’s water right, supporting increased water treatment and ASR plans.
• The project serves as a case study for remote site design in harsh winter environments, using natural channel systems for fish passage.

The Dog River Pipeline Replacement Project has been recognized with the prestigious Stream Award by the State Land Board. This award honors projects that contribute significantly to Oregon’s waterways, wetlands and lands. The Stream Award highlights exemplary projects that meet or exceed all permit conditions and demonstrate exceptional contributions to environmental sustainability. 

Jacobs’ work on this project exemplifies our commitment to innovative solutions and environmental stewardship, setting a benchmark for future infrastructure projects.