Watershed Operations Weiser River Watershed, October 2009 Southern Washington County, Introduction Project Description This watershed project, located in • Location: Southern Washington County, 1st Congressional District southern Washington County, will • Federal Funding: $430,000 primarily address water quality issues. Funds will be available the first This project will improve ground and surface water quality in the Weiser area, year to help farmers and ranchers a small rural community of 5,343 located in southwest Idaho. The project will upgrade irrigation systems and install help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that reduce nutrient, sediment basins to conserve water pesticide, and sediment loss from agricultural land, and improve overall water and improve water quality. quality. Partners • USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service • Weiser River Soil Conservation District Weiser River • Weiser Irrigation District Watershed • Washington County Commissioners • Idaho Soil Conservation Commission • Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Benefits The project is located in southern This project will improve irrigation systems, resulting in a 65% reduction Washington County, Idaho. in sediment and nutrients in area streams, and a 60% reduction of nitrate seepage into the groundwater. Managing water, nutrients, and pesticides will greatly reduce contaminants in the project area’s surface and ground water and Funded through the American will improve water quality. Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, this project is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, jump-start the economy, and create jobs. NRCS is using Recovery Act dollars to update aging flood control structures, protect and maintain water supplies, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands. NRCS acquires easements and restores floodplains to safeguard lives and property in areas along streams and rivers that have experienced Local producers discuss the benefits of improved irrigation systems, flooding. such as gated pipe and surge. Weiser River Watershed, Southern Washington County, Idaho

Economic Opportunities Statewide Perspective For More Information The project will help the local With more than 50% of the USDA, NRCS economy by providing financial monitored wells with nitrate levels 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite C incentives to area farmers and above what is permitted for drinking Boise, Idaho 83709 ranchers to improve irrigation and water, the southern Washington Phone: 208-378-5700 water management systems. These County area was Idaho’s number one www.id.nrcs.usda.gov upgrades will improve irrigation priority for nitrate reduction. This water efficiency which will be more project will help meet ground water cost effective, and also reduce the use quality goals for the Weiser area. of pesticides and fertilizers. It will also assist in meeting water quality objectives outlined in the Local farm and irrigation supply Weiser River Plan, Weiser Flat Plan, dealers should realize a boost in and - Total sales of irrigation systems, pumps, Maximum Daily Load Plans, and will pipes, new nozzle packages, and soil help restore beneficial uses of water. moisture monitoring electronics.

A filter strip catches sediment and contaminants in irrigation water runoff.

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