Modernizing irrigation systems throughout the West.

Farmers Conservation Alliance works with irrigation communities to modernize water delivery infrastructure in the West.

The Derby Dam Farmers Screen on in Nevada restored access to the Truckee River for Lahontan cutthroat trout for the first time in over a century.

Allan Workman performs a regular inspection of the nearly 100-year-old wooden flume in Montana’s Billings Bench Water Association.

Restoring healthy rivers and riparian habitat through thoughtful water management supports not only fish, but the broader wildlife and landscape that defines the Western United States.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe member Roy Hicks collects data on Lahontan cutthroat trout at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s Marble Bluff Fish Passage Facility on the Truckee River.

Greenfields Irrigation District is a division of the Sun River Project that diverts and delivers water to irrigate over 83,000 acres of agricultural land northwest of Great Falls, Montana.

Irrigation district managers around the West, such as Collbran, Colorado’s Bruce Michaelsen conduct daily “ditch rides” to inspect canals and ensure efficient water delivery.

Megan Saunders, Watershed Project Manager for Farmers Irrigation District, in the hydropower plant along the banks of Oregon’s Hood River.

Aging irrigation infrastructure results in up to 70% water loss via canal delivery.

FCA engineer Jesus Barrera installs a remote SCADA system for Klamath Irrigation District.

Modernizing century-old infrastructure like this wooden flume in Billings, Montana, delivers benefits to irrigators and the environment.

Elias Zavala of Farmers Irrigations District walks an open canal ditch—the many open canals throughout the Western US require constant maintenance.

Irrigation Modernization

Why Irrigation Modernization Matters.

Julie Davies O’Shea, Farmers Conservation Alliance “Being able to modernize these systems is a great way to be able to address a number of agricultural security, food security, economic development, and environmental issues.”

Nate James, NRCS Umatilla County “We’ve got a great growing region here; opportunities are endless as long as we’ve got water.”

Alan Horton, Farmers Conservation Alliance “If water goes away, farms go away. If farms go away, rural communities suffer.”

Marc Thalacker, Three Sisters Irrigation District “In 1977, it was so bad that the district only delivered 10% water the whole season and dried the stream up for the whole summer.”

Mike Preston, UMUT Farm & Ranch Enterprise “The other underlying factor of all of this is food security.”

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Journal

community benefits conservation data & technology

Adapting with Technology and Grit

Horsefly Irrigation District Manager Justin Eary and his small staff are taking a hands-on approach to modernizing their district.

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Journal

collaboration community benefits leadership

4 min read

The Right Leader for the Right Time

Leading Hermiston Irrigation District through their next round of modernization projects was a challenge tailor-made for retired district manager Annette Kirkpatrick’s problem solving and collaborative approach.

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Journal

community benefits conservation efficiency

5 min read

Planning for the Next 100 Years of Water Delivery

Erling Juel’s vision for modernization in Montana’s massive Greenfields Irrigation District.

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Adapting with Technology and Grit

The Difference Modernization Makes

Building Water Resilience on Tribal Lands

The Right Leader for the Right Time

Old Flume, Modern Emergency

SCADA Changes the Game

Finding Common Ground

Planning for the Next 100 Years of Water Delivery

Drought Resilience: Casad Family Farm

Change Their Way of Life? They Can Hardly Wait.

Ditching the Ditch-Walking Way of Life

Production and Conservation at Ladder Ranch

Fishing Matters with Autumn Harry

Restoring the Hood River Watershed

The Fruits of Their Labor: Farming in Tualatin Valley

Keeping Fields Fertile in Westland Ordnance

The Impending Threat of the A Canal

Modernizing irrigation systems throughout the West.

Farmers Conservation Alliance works with irrigation communities to modernize water delivery infrastructure in the West.

Why Irrigation Modernization Matters.

Adapting with Technology and Grit

The Right Leader for the Right Time

Planning for the Next 100 Years of Water Delivery

Modernizing irrigation systems throughout the West.

Farmers Conservation Alliance works with irrigation communities to modernize water delivery infrastructure in the West.

Why Irrigation Modernization Matters.

Connect with us about irrigation modernization opportunities in your community.

Stay involved.