Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID) diverts up to 160 CFS from Whychus Creek, a tributary to the Deschutes River. TSID has historically diverted water using a stream-spanning, low-head dam and did not have a fish screen in place. The diversion is located on US Forest Service land in the National Forest where a re-introduction of summer Steelhead is occurring.
The dual-design custom Farmers Screen allows for a range of diverted flows from 30 – 160 cfs while still meeting NMFS criteria. This Farmers Screen also has a built-in sediment management system which allows continuous flushing of sediment from under the screen during high sediment times of the year.
The screened water leaves the structure and enters two pipelines that carry it to a reservoir for delivery to farmers and ranchers. By-pass flow carries fish and debris back to Whychus Creek through a pipeline.