Lower Willow Creek Irrigation Return Flow Reduction
 |
 |
| Before conditions |
During construction |
 |
Crews installing the pipeline
(photos by the Malheur Watershed Council)
|
| After project completion |
|
Willow Creek, a tributary of the Malheur River, has had excessive levels of sediment, nutrients, algae, and E. coli. The Willow Creek drainage has contributed a large amount of phosphorus into the Malheur system. More than 40 percent of the samples taken between 2002 and 2005 exceeded the state standard for E. coli. Not all the nutrient, sediment, and bacteria in the creek are caused by agricultural activities, but agriculture played a significant role. The largest contributor was perhaps irrigation return flow.
The solution was to eliminate irrigation return flow and pipe the canals that run through the feeding operations and pastures. By helping farmers convert from flood to sprinkler irrigation, this project eliminated pollution-causing irrigation-return flow from more than 2,000 acres. By reducing furrow and flood irrigation, the likelihood of nitrate leaching into shallow groundwater was also reduced.
The Malheur Watershed Council met with the landowners in the project area several times. All but one landowner expressed interest in converting to sprinklers. The new gravity-pressured water supply made it economically feasible to overcome some of the identified barriers to conversion, such as the costs associated with on-farm pumping, routing electrical lines to the fields, and purchasing large-volume pumps.
The project consisted of piping two lateral canals of the Vale Oregon Irrigation District system and included burying 38,872 feet of pipe. The Irrigation District also planted the disturbed sites and installed screens that filter out debris and prevent fish from entering the laterals. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Bureau of Reclamation contributed funding to the project. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Malheur County Weed Control, and Oregon Department of Agriculture all provided technical assistance.
The project resulted in converting 2,000 acres from flood to sprinkler irrigation, which will significantly decrease erosion, sedimentation and run-off into Willow Creek.
Succor Creek Riparian Protection Project
 |
 |
Private spring used for off-site water
development – before project
|
Off-Site Water Development |
 |
 |
| Riparian fencing along McBride Creek |
Water Gap for riparian pasture along Succor Creek |
Photos by Owyhee Watershed Council.
The Succor Creek Riparian Protection Project originated from the landowner’s desire to improve riparian (streamside) management on his property, while maintaining a viable livestock operation. The project aimed to effectively improve riparian conditions along Succor and McBride creeks through riparian fencing, grazing use exclusion, and grazing management. The project area consisted of irrigated pastures and hayland meadows surrounding the landowner’s house, as well as rangeland and hayland pastures within a steep and narrow canyon. Succor Creek runs through the privately owned ranch in both locations. McBride Creek adjoins the irrigated pastures and hayland associated with the ranch. Prior to implementation of the project, the creeks served as the primary source of water for all livestock grazing on the ranch.
This project included fencing three miles on both sides of Succor Creek and one half mile along McBride Creek, and the development of off-site watering facilities and water gaps to facilitate the removal of livestock grazing within sensitive riparian areas. The creation of riparian pastures in the steep canyon sections also allowed the landowners to implement short-duration high-intensity grazing, which will improve riparian conditions. Riparian areas functioning in good condition within the project area will ultimately contribute to a reduction of streambank erosion and improved local water quality. Project partners include the Owyhee Watershed Council, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
5th Avenue Willow Creek Protection Project
 |
 |
One section of Willow Creek which excludes livestock access.
Photos by the Malheur Soil and Water Conservation District.
|
Overview of one area which has been laser-leveled with field borders for the new irrigation system. This area is also fenced into five acre cells for the high intensity – short duration grazing program.
|
This project is located in the Lower Willow Creek Watershed, which has had severe problems with increased levels of E. coli. The acceptable Department of Environmental Quality standard is 406 organisms per 100 milliliters; Willow Creek’s E. coli spikes have been as high as 4,000 organisms per 100 milliliters. Water temperature, too, has also been quite high.
The land involved in the project is pasture. The irrigation water delivery system from the head gate to the fields was an open ditch, which led to soil loss, and was an inefficient way to move water because of seepage and evaporation. Several years ago, the landowner began a high-intensity, short-duration grazing program for his 250 head of cattle. Despite the effectiveness of that program, the cattle still watered from the creek and the open ditch irrigation still allowed runoff into Willow Creek. The landowner wanted to make changes to improve water quality and stock watering opportunities.
The landowners worked with the Malheur County Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. The first step, begun in March 2004, was to put in a new border irrigation system. The land was made completely flat by laser-leveling in April. Then a one-foot dike—the “border”—was constructed around the perimeter. Under this irrigation system, flooding the pasture brings water to every inch of land because it is completely flat, but allows no runoff because of the dike. Thus, wastewater can no longer leave the field and enter Willow Creek. In May and June 2004, wells were drilled and troughs installed to provide alternative watering facilities for the cattle.
Between the new border irrigation system and the new watering facilities, Willow Creek is much better protected from contamination. Today, the cows are healthier due to the high-intensity, short-duration grazing system and water quality has improved. Thus, this project has been lucrative for the landowner and vital to the waters of Willow Creek. Other landowners, seeing the benefits on tours through the property, have been inspired to try similar procedures themselves.
The 2005-2007 Biennial Report provides more information about accomplishments in each watershed basin.
Return to watershed basin map
|
