10/30/07 Water conservation projects

Governor Butch Otter says a half dozen projects should improve the efficient use of water in southern Idaho. Before he left for China Otter was talking about a 450 thousand dollar project at Black Canyon Dam near Emmett where eight miles of open canal will be replaced with 88 hundred feet of pipeline. Three other projects involve collecting water already use for irrigation and fish habitat and pumping it back into Magic Valley springs so it can be reused in lieu of diverting additional spring water. Some water at Buckeye Ranch will be added to Billingsley Creek. Spring water used by Fish and Game at Niagara Springs will be used for Rim View Hatchery fish production while effluent from the hatchery will replace Fish and Game irrigation water. The city of Twin Falls will used Alpheus Springs water for human consumption rather than irrigating Blue Lakes Golf Course which will irrigate with Snake River water. A water collection system will enable Crystal Springs hatchery to use water spilled by the Fish and Wildlife Magic Valley hatchery. The Governor proposed a pilot project in the Twin Falls-Thousands Springs area, over the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, to allow groundwater pumpers the option of not turning on their wells in return for payments from the state. Depending on funding that could involve up to 20 thousand acres. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott