Delayed canal piping project frustrates Tumalo homeowner; irrigation district cites supply chain issues

(Update: Adding video, comments from Tumalo homeowner, irrigation district)

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A homeowner in Tumalo is expressing her frustration about a canal piping project taking place on her property that has been delayed due to what an irrigation district says are supply chain challenges.

Rachelle Mose, who owns 33 acres of property in Tumalo told us Friday, "They showed up with equipment and I didn't even know they were starting."

In November, Mose says, K&E Excavating showed up at her front door unexpectedly to begin work on the project.

Of the 33 acres on their property, 27 are used for irrigation. "And they said, 'We need to put up fencing and move our equipment onto the property.' And at the time, we didn't even have an easement for them to go through the property in this particular spot."

After returning from a two-week trip in Las Vegas, the homeowner says no progress was done on her property while she was gone. As a result of the project, she said she had to move 20 of her horses off her main pasture, and she also lost access to her canal that ran on the property.

"I run a business here, and I have outside horses, so I take horses in to do either a tune-up or sell for people," Mose explained. "I basically sent all of my outside horses home, because I have horses of my own that have to be up at the barn,"

The homeowner confirmed that she hasn't reached out to the company to complain, due to a potential conflict of interest.

The Tumalo Irrigation District is installing the piping.

According to the Tumalo Irrigation District, the project didn't start until last Oct. 30.

The district's piping project is expected to be 12.5 miles long, and run from Tumalo to Sisters.

They also confirmed supply chain issues have caused delays after ground was broken on the project in October. They plan to complete the project before the beginning of the irrigation season this year.

"It's a lot of changes, so I think that might be the hardest part right now," Mose told NewsChannel 21.

The district told NewsChannel 21 in a statement that they don't have any recorded phone calls or emails from upset residents in the area that they haven't already addressed, and that our report is the first time they've heard of an issue with Mose.

Mose explained, "I do think the piping project is going to help everyone in the long run. But that's the only other thing I can see right now is just waiting for it to get to that stage for people."

Tumalo Irrigation District says even with delays in the project, it'll still be completed by the start of this year's irrigation season in April.

K&E Excavating told Mose Firday they should be done with construction on her property next week.