Restoring the Powder Phase 2- Keating SWCD

Completed: October 2023 

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $77,051

Project Match: $45,050 (Idaho Power Company and SWCD) 

Prior to Project Install

Stabilized Banks with Riparian Fencing

Fencing

Bank Stabilization Using Rootwads and Trees

Project Tour with OWEB, OACD and ODA

Work Done: The Restoring the Powder project, which turned into a two-phase implementation process, addressed severe erosion, bank cutting and de-vegetation along 1,400 feet of the lower Powder River.  LiDAR data suggests that there had been significant bank movement; approximately 15 feet within the last several years. This made it difficult for the landowner to establish large riparian vegetation which would provide the long term bank stability needed. 

To combat bank loss, erosion and sedimentation at the site, engineered bank revetments were installed within two identified priority areas; one 500 foot section, and one 900 foot section.  Idaho Power Company, using Snake River Stewardship Program funding, partnered on this large grant to install 11,466 feet of wildlife friendly fencing along both sides of the Powder River within this property; both sides include a minimum 40 foot buffer from the river.  The riparian fence includes two water gaps for livestock access, reinforced with gravel and rock to limit future impacts to the stream. The revetments consist of strategically placed materials that include:

▪ 100 large rocks

▪400 cubic yards of rock/fill

▪16 root wads

▪77 whole trees

▪4 logs 

▪500 five-foot willow whips 

Two Circle Irrigation Project - Eagle Valley SWCD

Completed: October 2023 

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $132,752

Project Match: $150,494 (Idaho Power Company and SWCD) 

Sprinkler Location

Riparian Fencing

New Head Gate

Bulge in Ditch

Work Done: The Two Circle Irrigation project is located on Dry Creek, a tributary to East Pine Creek. The project installed two 5 tower pivots, complete with flow meters, successfully converting 85 acres of flood irrigated pasture/hay ground to a more efficient form of irrigation, and decreasing the amount of water being used as well as runoff returning to the stream.  2,230 feet of cable in conduit and 1,970 feet of PVC pipe was installed to connect the two pivots from the pump station.  A new head box was installed to control the water coming into the bulge in the ditch and three phase power was dropped to the new panel providing power to the floating screen and pivots. 

To protect East Pine Creek, 6,800 feet of wildlife friendly fencing was installed, along with native plantings to promote revegetation and long term bank stability.   

Tarter Slough Fish Passage Project - Eagle Valley SWCD

Completed: May 2023

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $112,051

Project Match: $335,890 (Idaho Power Company and SWCD) 

Head Gate

Bank Stabilization

Fish Screen

Riffle Habitat

Fish Screen in the Snow

Work Done: The Tarter Slough project removed seasonal fish barriers on Pine Creek and replaced them with engineered boulder/rock riffles and a concrete head gate incorporating a low-flow fish passage. Rock riffle stones were embedded into the active channel improving upstream and downstream passage for fish.

380 feet of bank upstream from the diversion was restored using a rock revetment consisting of boulders stacked three to four feet high. Native fill along with willow cuttings was statically placed to ensure proper stabilization. 300 feet of bank downstream of the diversion incorporated logs jams and root wads in the bank to prevent erosion.  A 15 CFS rotary drum fish screen was installed on Tarter Slough ditch to prevent fish entrainment in the ditch.

Little Creek Stockwater Project - Baker Valley SWCD

Completed: October 2022

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $19,943

Project Match: $14,138 (Landowner and SWCD)

Solar Panel Pump

2,500 Gallon Storage Tank

New Corrals

Rubber Tire Trough

Rubber Tire Trough - Different Angle

Work Done: The Little Creek Stock Water project improved water quality by installing a solar panel pump to an existing well via 1,210 feet of HDPE pipe to pump the water into the 2500-gallon storage tank which then gravity feeds a 500-gallon rubber tire water trough complete with a wildlife escape ramp.

The rubber tire water trough is situated in the newly constructed metal corrals that include access to two different pastures providing a reliable off-channel watering location. The landowner can open gates allowing the livestock access from either the east pasture (150 acres) or the west pasture (470 acres) depending on which pasture is being grazed at the time. 

Hereford Stockwater Project - Burnt River SWCD

Completed: December 2020

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $37,051

Project Match: $35,450 (Landowner and SWCD)

Burying the Cistern

Cross Fencing

One of Two Rubber Tire Troughs

Cross Fencing Created Two Pastures for Better Grazing Rotation

Work Done:  The site consisted of one 716 acre pasture with three existing watering sources; two located at the northern end of the property, and one located at the southern end. For a site to be compatible with livestock production, wildlife habitat, and revegetation, two key components need to be present; reliable water, and multiple pastures. Livestock prefer not to travel more than one mile away from a water source. With watering locations three miles apart, uneven grazing patterns and overutilization of areas near water are present at the project site. Adding reliable, clean sources of water to the center of the pasture, along with cross fencing, will address the main concern: annual grass invasion.

The creation of two individual pastures and installing a rubber tire water trough in each pasture being gravity fed by 5,000 gallons of stored water, will allow the landowner to implement a deferred grazing plan to better manage livestock grazing. With diligent management this will benefit wildlife and native vegetation, over time, perennial grasses will recover and improve sage grouse habitat.

Buchanan Irrigation Project - Eagle Valley SWCD

Completed: August 2021

OWEB Dollars Awarded: $15,000

Project Match: $11,395 (Landowner and SWCD)

Gated Pipe

Head Gate Construction

Final with Measuring Device

Aluminum Watering Trough

More Consruction

More Gated Pipe

Work Done: This small grant addressed multiple watershed concerns, including poor irrigation efficiency, excess water being diverted from Dry Creek, runoff returning to the stream, and livestock degradation due to a lack of off-stream watering sources. This project converted 38 acres of irrigated ground to gated pipe which will better apply water, use only what is necessary to irrigate and prevent excess runoff from returning to Dry Creek, installed a new headbox to divert the minimum amount of irrigation water required, and installed an aluminum livestock watering trough to encourage cattle to move throughout the pasture and remove pressure from the creek.