U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) applauded a $100 million federal investment, made possible by Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts Act, to replace the 110-year-old Highline Canal near Duchesne, Utah, with an enclosed pipeline to improve safety and water delivery efficiency. The funding will support critical upgrades to water delivery systems in eastern Utah, strengthening reliability, efficiency, and safety for communities and agriculture across the region.
“Reliable water infrastructure is essential to Utah’s communities, farmers, and our growing economy,” said Senator Curtis. “The bold and practical measures included in Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill will modernize Duchesne’s century-old system, conserve water, and help ensure the Uinta Basin is better prepared to meet future water demand.”
Background:
The Working Families Tax Cuts Act, enacted by Republicans in 2025, provided $1 billion to the Department of the Interior (DOI) to restore and expand water conveyance systems and increase surface water storage capacity across the West.
In Utah, the $100 million investment will replace the Highline Canal with a modern enclosed pipeline system, improving water delivery efficiency, reducing water loss and, enhancing long-term reliability for local users. The funding reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen water infrastructure and drought resilience across the West—an agenda Senator Curtis continues to work with federal, state, and local partners to advance.
Read more about DOI’s announcement here.
