Walla Walla County irrigators are leading the way by taking steps to conserve water resources. Low river flows that affect endangered species can impact agricultural irrigation. In an effort to maintain area irrigation and avoid regulatory mandates, the Conservation District offers cost-share to irrigators who want to improve their irrigation systems and reduce water loss. Water saved through greater efficiency is placed in trust and left in the river. These projects result in continued irrigation using less water.
The Gardena Farms Irrigation District piping project, completed in 2002, saves an estimated 650 gpm (gallons per minute) during the irrigation season. Other projects have converted flood irrigation and leaky handlines to state-of-the-art pivot systems.
In 2005 the District received a grant to help irrigators convert water-wasting open irrigation ditches to buried pipelines. With new piping, every drop of conveyance water will reach the intended crops. During times of high river flows, water will be diverted down perforated pipes to help recharge our falling aquifer. Our project partners include the Walla Walla Community College Irrigation technology department and various funding sources (see Links.)