NID tries 'natural look' for diversion

Even concrete can be made to look natural, as shown by a diversion structure recently rebuilt by the Nevada Irrigation District on Banner Mountain.

The 70-foot Wolf Creek Return was constructed by NID to divert water from the D-S Canal into Wolf Creek, where it runs downstream into the Tarr Canal for use by Nevada County customers.

"We tried to make it as natural as possible with rock and concrete," said NID Maintenance Manager Tim Nunnink. "We didn't want some big industrial structure. It looks like a natural waterfall coming into the creek bed."

Wolf Creek Community Alliance member B.J. Schmitt was invited to inspect the structure between Success Cross Road and Bubbling Wells Road Thursday.

"It looks more natural with all the rock in it," Schmitt said.

The return was first constructed in the late 1920s or early 1930s and was made of wood, Nunnink said. The wood was replaced about seven years ago with concrete, but it collapsed.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.