The first phase of the project, completed in 2021, addressed Upper Phillips dam, a major barrier to fish passage on the Little Applegate River. A concrete dam and seasonal push-up dam had long impeded the migration of juvenile salmonids. To resolve this, APWC and its partners enhanced a side channel around the dam, installing logs and boulder weirs to create a fish bypass channel that is passable year-round. This modification eliminated the need for the push-up dam and restored access to spawning habitat upstream. Additionally, a new headgate, fish screen, and measuring device were installed at the irrigation intake, improving water management for local irrigators.

Phase 2 of the project focused on replacing 1.3 miles of the aging, leaky Upper Phillips ditch with a modern, buried HDPE pipeline. Originally constructed in 1866, the earthen ditch required substantial annual maintenance and was prone to significant water loss due to seepage and evaporation. The new pipeline, with an estimated lifespan of 100 years, drastically reduces water loss, enhances irrigation efficiency, and alleviates maintenance burdens on landowners.

Through the Oregon Water Resources Department Allocation of Conserved Water (ACW) Program, the water users involved in this project have committed to permanently returning 75% of the conserved water back to the Little Applegate River, directly benefiting fish habitat. The remaining 25% of conserved water will be allocated among the water users, ensuring continued agricultural productivity.