Located in Spanish Fork, Utah are six principle diversions
from the Spanish Fork River. They are known locally as East Bench Canal, Salem
Canal, Malcolm Ditch, Mill Race, South Field Canal, and Lake Shore Canal. These
canals are owned and operated by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District
(CUWCD) whose primary responsibility is to deliver clean, usable water to the
local communities.
Not only are these canals used to collect water, but they
also provide an invaluable resource for irrigation to the local farming
communities. Both the soil and climate in Utah are ideal for raising fruits, vegetables,
grain, sugar beets and more. These canals are integral not only to the sustenance
of the entire state but nationally.
Therefore, it is imperative that these canals be maintained
to ensure that they are an effective means of irrigation. The South Field Canal
is responsible for 3,500 acres while the Salem Canal handles an additional 2,200
acres of land. To increase the efficiencies of these two canals as diversion channels,
the CUWCD decided to have them enclosed. With assistance from Jacobsen
Construction Co., Inc., a bid was issued to determine that best method and
product to use for this enhancement.
Ultimately, the contract was awarded to WW Clyde who collaborated
with the local Contech Engineered Solutions team. They determined that the most
ideal solution for this project would be a polymer-coated HEL-COR® corrugated metal
pipe (CMP) canal enclosure that would provide both cost-benefits as well as
installed efficiencies and meet the required service life desired. Due to some unforeseen
design changes, Contech was able to quickly modify existing plans to include an
elbow to account for the discrepancy. Over 1,550 LF of 96-inch 14 GA polymer-coated
HEL-COR was installed. The 25’ lengths offered a much faster installation with
fewer to joints for a quick and effective resolution.
The senior project manager at W.W. Clyde, Randy Lingwall, provided
some additional comments. “WW Clyde, a heavy civil contractor in the Mountain West teamed
with Contech for the fabrication of 1,560 feet of 96-inch polymer coated
Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP). The CMP was installed as a canal replacement.
During the installation of the pipe it was discovered the designed did not fit
the actual canal. Contech was able to quickly modify an existing straight pipe
and turn it into an elbow. Contech was able to provide the required pipe as
needed, and the quality was, as usual, top tier.”