Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation contracted with Ackerman-Estvold to evaluate and design a solution to an existing gravity fed irrigation line and drinking supply line that fed Thousand Springs State Park – Ritter Island. This existing above ground line was in desperate need of replacement as numerous leaks were evident under visual inspections. This project was also spurred by the recent surge in tourism for the entirety of IDPR especially in the greater Hagerman area with the latest expansions to Thousand Springs State Park.

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Ackerman-Estvold started design for the project in late 2022. The project entailed replacing the existing 2” water line and 6” irrigation line. The current lines scaled a 180’ tall cliff with 60% face, with an additional 200’ crossing of a Snake River side channel and marshland. 

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The design team utilized existing support infrastructure along with existing connections to the water supply and treatment facilities in place as a cost savings benefit. A-E explored various types of water main material to best serve the facilities and eventually decided on the utilization of 8” and 4” Yelomine pipe. This option provided a significant weight and cost benefit along with the ability for future repairs to be made by the IDPR inhouse if warranted. The irrigation line along with water line were upsized to 8” and 4” respectively to provide future development of Ritter Island. The project additional called for the replacement of water service infrastructure on Ritter Island to existing buildings.

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This project was bid early 2023 with prices coming in significantly higher than anticipated. A-E explored some cost saving engineering with the contractor and IDPR. Ultimately the decision to rebid the project was made in October 2023. The project was awarded for $1.1 million. Construction proceeded early 2024 and was completed in August 2024.