City of Baker City, Oregon

P.o. Box 650

Baker City, OR 97814-0650
541-523-6541 Voice/TDD
541-524-2049 FAX
March 4, 2013
Larry McBroom
. Baker City Public Works Water & Construction Supervisor
PH: 541-524-2019 Cell: 541-519-3385
Email: Imcbroom@bakercity.com
Department ofHuman Services
Public Health Division
Drinking Water Program
700 SE Emigrant, Rm240
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-8006
Fax (541) 276-4778
Goodrich Reservoir:
Drinking Water Program
Pendleton Office
2012
Watershed Management Report
We continued to monitor the water seepage located approximately N. 70 E., 65' distance from the
access manhole for the conveyance pipe belowthe downstreamtoe. Our findings for 2012 were that
the volume of seepage has remained the same as previous years, flowing approximately 5 GPM at full
reservoir capacity. The seepage stops when the reservoir is drawn down to approximately 1/2 full.
Professional Civil Engineer, Doug Schwin, is nowBaker City's Engineer and will be involved with
future annnal daminspections.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife mountain goat trapping site was relocated inthe sununer
of2012. The ODFWtrapping site can receive over 50 goats per day as ODFWplaces mineral blocks
to lure goats to the site in preparation for their annual goat trapping. The old trapping site was adjacent
to the reservoir which could provide for a source ofcontamination from goat feces and urine being
conveyed into the reservoir water. The goat trapping site is nowapproximately 200' NE ofthe old site,
away from the reservoir. This will reduce the potential for contllmination from urine and fecal matter
from the goats.
www.bakercity.com
Diversions and the Auburn Pipeline:
As always we are continually monitoring the Baker City Watershed, maintaining the locked, gated
points ofentry, signing all points of entry and regnlating public entry by issuing entry pennits for goat,
deer and elk hunters only. The Watershed is patrolled during hunting season and harvested game is
transported from the pipeline road by City personnel to the gated points of access. Hunting in the
Watershed is not allowed when fire danger is high and 2012 found the archery hunters not able to
pursue their quarry due to high fire danger status. Diversions used for collection of surface water are
monitored by City Personnel on a regular basis throughout the year (weather pennitting) as part of our
operations. Several observations were made ofunauthorized entry in the Watershed using trail
cameras. This information was then given to the USFS law enforcement officials.
New Projects and Maintenance:
Maintenance on the cathodic protection system is nearly complete with only a small section ofthe
Marble Creek pipeline that needs maintenance.
Due to litigation and environmental concerns the Mountain Pipeline replacement project has been
delayed until 2014.
The Elk Creek Settling Tank building is planned for demolition and replacement in the spring of2013.
The existing building is wood frame with metal siding which is snsceptible to break-ins and vandalism.
The new building will be made of CMU with a steel entry door to help discourage unauthorized entry.
Water Quality:
In the war against the cryptosporidium oocyst, HDR Engineers continued on the design for UV
Treatment Facility that will be constructed at the Water Treatment Facility.
Also the City has purchased materials to construct a barb wire fence around 40 acres of City owned
land surrounding the Elk Creek Diversion. This fence will provide a barrier for cattle ranging in the
close proximity. Currently there is a meandering range allotment fence that extends for miles. This
fence protects the Elk Creek Watershed and is in good repair most ofthe time, but there have been
incidents where cattle have found their way to the wrong side ofthe fence. The new fence will protect
the diversion and approximately 1/4 mile ofthe Elk Creek riparian zone from stray cattle.
Security:
Watershed security remains a high priority and the City may continue to monitor points ofentry to
identifY unauthorized entry by using trail cameras. Outside the Watershed boundaries, the City's gravity
flow conveyance line remains secure at the access manholes, which have tamper prooflocking lids.
Key individuals and Qualifications:
Jake Jones continued as the Water Treatment Operator and DRC for the City. He has served as the DRC
for several years and has over 12 years of experience working in the Watershed and Water Treatment
Facility providing the community with plentiful and safe drinking water.
Dennis Bachman continues to work as the backup operator at the Water Treatment Facility. Both Jake
and Dennis are certified as Water Treatment Operator I and Distribution Operator II.
Doug Schwin, P.E., was recently hired and will provide most ofthe engineering and technical support
for construction projects in the Watershed.

Larry McBroom (Water and Construction Supervisor)