Irrigation Water Management
Since 2015, Lewis Conservation District has been working with farmers in the Chehalis and Cowlitz basins to apply water more efficiently, improve crop production and install fish screens to prevent juvenile fish mortality.
An Irrigation Water Management Plan includes:
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Meeting with landowners to discuss irrigation practices.
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A custom plan including an optimal irrigation schedule based on crop type and average weather, and recommendations for improvement to current infrastructure.
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Funding continually changes with the ebb and flow of biannual grant cycles but is occasionally available for updating existing irrigation systems and installing fish screens. ​​​​​​​​​
One local farmer installed a new energy efficient pump and underground mainline. To supplement their investment, LCD was able to purchase and install new K-line irrigation (above) and a fish screen.
Interested in seeing how it all works and hearing about the vast improvements farms have witnessed? Reach out to staff for a tour!​