Noble Creek Irrigation System shutdown to go ahead; City of Kamloops to explore temporary pump for 2024

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council has okayed the decommissioning of a part of the infamous Noble Creek Irrigiation System but will look at a temporary pump option for next year.

In a meeting held Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 5), council heard several short-term options for the beleaguered agricultural irrigation system that serves 41 properties in Westsyde. City staff compiled those options after a marathon August meeting provided hope that there may still be life in the current system.

Continuing to operate the current system in 2024 was not presented as an option, however, as the province has told the city that its emergency riprap work installed in spring due to severe erosion must come out.

That riprap may be all that is standing in the way of erosion claiming several pieces of infrastructure critical to the system’s operation — including the river intake and the pump house.

After significant discussion Tuesday, council chose to continue with its earlier plan to decommission those at-risk pieces of infrastructure after the 2023 growing season ends. Pipes that distribute water to the 41 properties would remain in the ground.

System users will receive payments from the city as compensation for the decommissioning.

Council also voted to have staff present options and costs on operating a temporary pump to supply the distribution system for the 2024 season.

Councillor Nancy Bepple said this option sets a direction toward transitioning the system to its users.

“We stick with the decommissioning payment. We go through this process. They get the money and they go and do whatever they want with it, in terms of setting up a new user group,” said Bepple. “They have their money, they can do it.”

Council also pledged to support the users in applying for government grants as they move away from a municipally provided service.