EQIP WaterSMART Initiative Priority Areas

FY 2025 Priority Area Projects

Active across the West are 7 new and 42 ongoing areas targeted for $44 million of FY2025 Environmental Quality Initiative Program (EQIP) WaterSMART Initiative (WSI) funds available for complementing Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART projects. 16 areas selected during the last four years completed the funding phase of program delivery and technical assistance is being provided to contract participants. States and tribes with new priority areas include: California (2), Idaho (1), Oregon (2), Wyoming (1) and Pueblo of Zia, located in New Mexico (1). 

About Multi-Year Priority Area Funding Projects

The project descriptions below include the following key information and a narrative about the collaborative effort: the name of the funding project, the amount of EQIP-WSI funds budgeted to help eligible producers in the area, the extent in acres of the area, the funding timeline, the target number of new contracts funded in the area, the target amount of new acres under contract, what Reclamation WaterSMART Program categories provided funding by year to the complemented project, and the type of complementary project completed by a local irrigation district or other water management organization receiving the Reclamation WaterSMART funds.

Find Project Descriptions by State or Native American Indian Land 

• Native American Indian Lands
• Arizona
• California 
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Additional Information

• Acronyms for Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Programs
• Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Links 

Native American Indian Lands

Name: The Pueblo of Zia
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,125,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 600
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 15 this year, 45 project life.
Proposed New Contract Acres: 250 this year, 600 project life.
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: DRP, 2019
Complemented Project Type: Drought Resiliency Project

The Pueblo of Zia in Sandoval County, New Mexico, used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace the flume connecting the Pueblo's sole reservoir across the Jemez Ricer to the South Ditch to maintain future delivery of water to some of the most productive farmland within the Pueblo. The southern farms that use the South Ditch have had consistent drought conditions, which have been further exacerbated by infrastructure design constraints and inadequate water supply. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the area will be able to increase water use efficiency and increase the land's drought resiliency by improving soil health and degraded plant condition. 

Arizona

3 ongoing areas for $1,750,000

Name: Grover Hills Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 1,807
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 200
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2019
Complemented Project Type: Canal Replacement Project

The Grover Hills Irrigation District in the St. John's area of Apache County, AZ, used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace their main earthen canals delivering irrigation water from Lyman Lake with a pressurized pipeline and install flow meters to monitor water use. These improvements expect to save 1,705 acre-feet of water annually. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers in the priority area will be able to replace their lateral canals and convert from flood irrigation to sprinkler systems conserving additional water for use during droughts. In addition to the water saving benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce irrigation induced soil erosion and improve the health of crops and pastures.

Name: Upper Verde Watershed and Prescott Area
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 170,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 5,000 acres
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: CWMP, 2012
Complemented Project Type: Watershed Restoration Project

The Town of Prescott Valley in Yavapai County, AZ developed a Watershed Restoration and Management Project Plan with Reclamation WaterSMART funds to protect base flows in the Upper Verde River sustained by groundwater from the Prescott Active Management Area. The watershed is home to the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and numerous other endangered and species of special significance. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers in the priority area will be able to manage vegetation on their arid rangeland to allow precipitation to reach mineral soil and infiltrate into high recharge areas through newly installed erosion control structures, micro-topography land structures. In addition to protecting base flows in the river, EQIP funding will help them convert juniper and live oak trees to desirable bunch and short grass communities, make more moisture available to grow forage on range and other agricultural lands, and reduce sediment, nutrient, and pathogen loss and transport in overland water flow.

Name: Roosevelt Irrigation Water Supply District
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 29,500
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $750,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 2,500
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP 2017
Complemented Project Type: Water Delivery Automation Project

The Roosevelt Irrigation District in Maricopa County, AZ, used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to automate water delivery and reduce spills in their main canal providing water to one of the few remaining concentrated farming areas near Phoenix. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers in the priority area will be able to implement water saving activities such as lining or replacing ditches, installing irrigation reservoirs or irrigation pipelines, and/or implementing irrigation water management practices to use irrigation water more efficiently. In addition to the water saving benefits, EQIP funding will help them prevent salt concentration in soils, reduce plant pest pressure, and control dust emissions on crop and pasture lands.

California

2 new areas for $3,400,000

Name: Merced Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,400,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 132,000
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 25 this year, 145 project life
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1,500 this year, 8,900 project life
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: DRP (2025, 2021), WEEG (2018) 
Complemented Project Type: Drought response and infrastructure

The Merced Irrigation District in Merced County, California used three Reclamation WaterSMART Program grants, two in the Drought Response Program and one in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to improve water management and drought response models and install a water regulating reservoir. These projects enable better control of water deliveries and response to drought conditions. With additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the eastern part of the county will enhance the efficiency of their irrigation systems. This improvement will lead to a reduction in the application of surface and groundwater, ensuring that water supplies remain available for disadvantaged communities and drinking water users, safeguarding the human right to water for all residents. Furthermore, it will enable more farm acreage to remain in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to these water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will also enhance the efficiency of equipment and facilities, thereby saving water, energy, and reducing production costs. Overall, these measures will contribute to sustainable agriculture practices, benefiting both farmers and the environment in the Merced County region. 

Name: Westlands Water District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $2,000,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 357,000
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 29 this year, 150 project life
Proposed New Contract Acres: 2,500 this year, 15,800 project life
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: Planning (2024), SWEP (2022), WEEG (2021)
Complemented Project Type: Infrastructure modernization

The Westlands Water District in Fresno and Kings counties, California used two Reclamation WaterSMART Program grants, one in the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Project category to retrofit two meters to an existing pipeline and one in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to retrofit 760 groundwater meters with advanced automated metering infrastructure. Westlands Water District will use one Planning and Design WaterSMART grant to plan and design modifications to optimize the use of existing infrastructure to diversify the district’s water supply portfolio. These projects plan to save 17,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year by decreasing the amount of water lost from inaccurate meter readings, which eliminates overirrigation, and increasing water application efficiency by implementing advanced metering infrastructure throughout the service area. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers will save additional water by optimizing and increasing efficiency of on-farm operations. To save this additional water, avoid further groundwater depletion, and build drought resilience, growers will line irrigation reservoirs, develop irrigation water management plans to improve irrigation efficiency, improve micro irrigation practices, install temporary diversions and/or construct recharge facilities. EQIP funding will also help growers in this area protect water quality, improve soil health, and improve crop productivity and health.

14 ongoing areas for $17,900,000

Name: Fresno Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,700,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 155,000
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1,500 
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2014, 2016), SWEP (2020)
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining, infrastructure, automation

The Fresno Irrigation District in Fresno County, California used two Reclamation WaterSMART Program grants in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category and one in the Small-Scale Water Efficient Project category to line several canals, install groundwater banking infrastructure, and automate water system controls. This project saved 6,700 acre-feet of water per year by offsetting groundwater pumping with collected stormwater storing it for release during the irrigation and winter flood release seasons. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including historically underserved African American, Asian, and Hispanic producers, will be able to save an additional 5,500 acre-feet of water each year either by not pumping it from the ground or intercepting it during flood release flows. To save this additional water and build drought resilience, producers will install micro-irrigation systems, pumps, and pipelines, line reservoirs, manage nutrients, manage residue, plant cover crops, amend soil carbon, and install groundwater recharge basins or on-farm recharge practices. Reduced groundwater pumping allows for more water to be available to disadvantaged communities such as Fresno, Sanger, Biola, Kerman, Del Rey, Calwa, Malaga, Easton, Fowler, and Raisin City. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will protect water quality, improve soil health, and improve crop productivity and health.

Name: Lower Tule River Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,200,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 85,000
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1,200

The Lower Tule River Irrigation District in Tulare County, California used two Reclamation WaterSMART Program grants in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category and one in the Small-scale Water Efficiency Project category to install automated meters at turnouts along open canals, meters to monitor flows into groundwater recharge basins, and pipe to convert earthen canals. This project saved 19,837 acre-feet of surface water per year previously lost to seepage to meet the demands within the district during the summer or to store for release during the winter as flood waters to recharge groundwater. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers including historically underserved producers as defined by USDA will be able to install micro-irrigation systems, pipelines, and pumps, line reservoirs, manage nutrients, manage residue, plant cover crops, amend soil carbon, and install groundwater recharge basins or on-farm recharge practices saving an additional 4,500 acre-feet of water from being pumped from the ground each year. Reduced groundwater pumping allows for more water to be available to disadvantaged communities including Tipton, Woodville, Poplar, Waukena, and Corcoran. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will protect water quality, improve soil health, and improve crop productivity and health.

Name: Tranquility Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $450,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 10,750
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 300
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2013)
Complemented Project Type: Automation

The Tranquility Irrigation District in Fresno County, California used one Reclamation WaterSMART Program grant in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to automate and control water deliveries in two separate distribution systems. This project saved 630 acre-feet of surface water per year previously lost to seepage, evaporation, and dead storage losses to meet demands within the district. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers will be able to install micro-irrigation systems and pipelines, line reservoirs, manage nutrients, manage residue, plant cover crops, amend soil carbon, and install groundwater recharge basins or on-farm recharge practices saving an additional 500 acre-feet of water from being pumped from the ground each.

Name: Madera Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $4,000.000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 96,500
Funding Timeline: Year 3 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 30
Proposed New Contract Acres: 2,000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2013, 2016)
Complemented Project Type: Automation

The Madera Irrigation District in Madera County, CA used three Reclamation WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to improve surface water distribution, automate water delivery, and prevent water loss from spills, over-delivery, evaporation, and seepage. These projects save 9,294 acre-feet of water per year for use to meet the demands within the district and replenish the groundwater aquifer. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including historically underserved farmers, will be able to install micro-irrigation systems and pipelines, line reservoirs, manage nutrients and residue, plant cover crops, and install groundwater recharge basins or on-farm recharge practices saving an additional 3,000 acre-feet of groundwater from needing to be pumped each year. Reduced groundwater pumping allows for more water to be available to the disadvantaged communities of the City of Madera, Firebaugh, Mendota, Bonita, Fairmead, Ripperdan, and La Vina. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will protect water quality, improve soil health, and improve crop productivity and health

Name: Eastern Municipal Water District Area (San Jacinto Local Partnership)
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $160,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 18,000
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 250
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: Title XVI, 2008 & 2015
Complemented Project Type: Infrastructure

The Eastern Municipal Water District (EWMD) in Riverside County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to prepare a Recycled Water Strategic and Master Plan for reducing reliance on imported water by increasing the amount of recycled water delivered to agricultural, municipal, and residential customers. Agricultural production in the San Jacinto Watershed is mostly irrigated acres used for alfalfa, citrus, nursery, turf, and dairies. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers in the priority area will be able to improve irrigation system efficiency, address variable water pressure from the district’s delivery system, and manage irrigation water applications based on soil moisture monitoring technology. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP assistance will also help them improve water quality by reducing salts transported to ground water and improve crop productivity and health.

Name: McMullen Area
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,000,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 118,300
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2020
Complemented Project Type: Automation and metering

The McMullen Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA) in Fresno County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to implement a data collection system to monitor groundwater use and saltwater intrusion in 23 wells for metering flow rates in accordance with Sustainable Groundwater Management Act rules. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the priority area will be able to improve soil moisture management through cover cropping, reduce evapotranspiration losses by converting from flood irrigation to low pressure sprinkler systems, and reduce groundwater withdrawals allowing for conserved water to be available for use during droughts. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will also help them improve crop productivity and health.

Name: Buena Vista Water Storage District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $250,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 40,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 6
Proposed Contract Acres: 120
Reclamation WaterSMART: WEEG, 2016
Complemented Project Type: Pipeline Extension Project

The Buena Vista Water Storage District in Kern County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to convert unlined canals and ditches to plastic pipelines to reduce loss from seepage. The improvements are expected to save 5,390 acre-feet of water withdrawals from the Kern River or groundwater sources when it is unavailable. With the additional NRCS assistance, field and tree crop farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 500 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,400,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 56,500
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1400
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2010
Complemented Project Type: Groundwater Banking

The Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District in southern Tulare and northern Kern counties of CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to expand the existing Turnipseed Groundwater Bank to capture and store floodwaters from the San Joaquin River. The improvements facilitate groundwater recharge of up to 11,520 acre-feet of water resulting in an expected 4,300 acre-feet of water savings annually for grape and tree fruit growers to use during droughts or share with other water users in the area during normal rains. With the additional NRCS assistance, fruit growers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 450 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Ivanhoe Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $800,000
Priority Area Extent in acres: 11,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 12
Proposed Contract Acres: 800
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2011
Complemented Project Type: Water Flow Automation

The Ivanhoe Irrigation District in Tulare County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to automate control valves in two of its main irrigation water lines to reduce spills, improve efficiency of water delivery, and reduce groundwater pumping in an area withdrawing more than is being recharged. The improvements are expected to save 413 acre-feet of water annually. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 300 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $4,000,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 340,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 60
Proposed New Contract Acres: 5,000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2012
Complemented Project Type: Water Flow Automation

The Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District in Tulare and Kings County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to install automated check structures in Packwood Creek, a tributary to the Kaweah River. The improvements enable better management of 29,360 acre-feet of water annually allowing for increased delivery of storm and floodwaters to storage basins for ground water recharge and restoration of Valley Oak riparian forest habitat that is home to several endangered species. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 3,000 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: North Kern Water Storage District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $120,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 52,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 3
Proposed New Contract Acres: 80
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2017
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining Project

The North Kern Water Storage District in Kern County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to line the Calloway canal with reinforced concrete to eliminate water loss due to seepage. The improvements are expected to save 758 acre-feet of water. Additionally, flowmeters and well water sensors were installed to better control groundwater pumping which is expected to save an additional 818 acre-feet from being withdrawn. With the additional NRCS assistance, grape and tree fruit growers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 250 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Pixley Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,400,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 60,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1400
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2012 & 2017
Complemented Project Type: Canal Replacement, Automation

The Pixley Irrigation District in Tulare County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to repair and increase the capacity of an existing canal and construct a new 7.5 mile one to reduce seepage losses and increase delivery of surplus water during floods. Additionally, a water flow automation system was installed to minimize seepage and avoid spillage allowing for efficient water delivery. These improvements expect to save 9,850 acre-feet of water annually allowing avoidance of groundwater withdrawals. With the additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 900 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $120,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 28,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 3
Proposed New Contract Acres: 80
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2016
Complemented Project Type: Groundwater Banking Project

The Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District in Kern County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to construct ponds for capturing stormwater and pumps to manage these groundwater recharge structures. The improvements are expected to save 5,700 acre-feet of stormwater annually from flowing unused to the ocean, reduce groundwater withdrawals and pumping costs, and supply water during prolonged drought or to other users in the district. With the additional NRCS assistance, field, forage, and tree crop farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 300 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Name: Tulare Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,300,000
Priority Area Extent in acres: 77,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1300
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, Title XVI
Complemented Project Type: Water Storage, New Pipe

The Tulare Irrigation District in Tulare County, CA used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to construct two water storage reservoirs able to hold 491 acre-feet of water and increase the groundwater banking capabilities of the Plum groundwater basin by capturing and storing 2,270 acre-feet annually of flood waters that would otherwise be unavailable. Additionally, a new pipeline system was constructed to deliver treated wastewater to the district's groundwater recharge facilities for the district’s 230 farms for reuse which results in 11,600 acre-feet of water savings annually. With the additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the priority area will be able to improve efficiency of their irrigation systems conserving 1,200 acre-feet annually through reduced groundwater withdrawal allowing for the banked water to be distributed to other local water stockholders and more farm acreage staying in production throughout drought cycles. In addition to the water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve use efficiency of equipment and facilities saving energy and reducing production costs.

Colorado

One ongoing area for $350,000

Name: Baca-Picketwire Diversion Dam Complex
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $350,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 9,284 acres
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 3 
Proposed New Contracts: 3
Proposed New Contract Acres: 500
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Program Categories: CWMP P2 (2021)
Complemented Project Type: Watershed Restoration

The Purgatoire Watershed Partnership (PWP) in Las Animas County, CO collaborated with the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District (PRWCD; irrigation district), the Baca and Picketwire Ditch Companies, NRCS, and other local partners, in using Reclamation WaterSMART funds to implement the Baca-Picketwire Diversion Dam Watershed Restoration Project. The project installed an erosion/flood protection wall, diversion dam cap, and debris rack into the Baca-Picketwire Diversion Dam infrastructure complex to improve water delivery efficiency and provide an additional 1,000 acre-feet of water annually to irrigators. It also incorporated a fish passage structure into the dam and removed woody invasive species along the ditch and river to reduce sediment loading in the ditch and provide fish habitat benefits. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including Hispanic farmers and ranchers, will make both improvements to irrigation systems both on and off the farms. The first section of the main open earthen ditch will be lined with reinforced concrete to reduce seepage and evaporative losses which is expected to deliver at least 15% water savings during water delivery. An automated headgate (separate funding) will also be installed to automate water flow which is expected to improve the accuracy of water use tracking and provide monitoring data for improving water use planning and management particularly during drought. Additional on farm irrigation system improvements and weed control measures on pastures will further increase water savings and drought resilience in the area. In addition to the water and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to eliminate bank erosion, reduce sediment loading, and reduce the cost of weed control in the water conveyance channel.

Idaho

1 new area for $1,876,484

Name: Moore Canal System – Upper Moore Proper
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,876,484
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 1,028 
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 2
Proposed New Contracts: 9 this year, 15 project life 
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1,075 this year, 1,581 project life
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2021 
Complemented Projects Type: Canal conversion to pipeline

The Arco Diversion Convenance Lateral Pipeline Association in Butte County, Idaho, used one Reclamation WaterSMART program grant to convert a section of an earthen canal to pipeline. The Moore Canal project is broken into three major sections. With additional funding from NRCS, the upper section of the canal will be converted to pipeline and further improve water deliveries to all water users including the City of Moore. Historically, the City of Moore doesn’t receive needed water from this canal and has increased ground water pumping to the point that the aquifer is depleting. The canal section being converted with NRCS funding is known to lose an average of 60% of the diverted water through seepage and evaporation which equates to 218 acre/feet of water each year due to porous soil complex. Continuing this diversion's water saving efforts will continue to benefit the entire systems water users by leaving additional water in the Big Lost River and James Creek which historically runs dry 7 out of 10 years.   

2 ongoing areas for $4,300,000

Name: King Hill irrigation District 
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $2,300,000 
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 5,997 
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5  
Proposed New Contracts: 6 
Proposed New Contract Acres: 510
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2014 
Complemented Projects Type: Water metering

The King Hill Irrigation District in Elmore County, ID participated in the Idaho Water Resource Board’s project funded by Reclamation WaterSMART program by installing four flow meters for measuring irrigation water diversions according to their water rights and found a 35 percent loss of water delivered from actual amounts pumped. With additional NRCS assistance, pumping plants will be installed along the Snake River to facilitate the installation of conveyance pipeline needed to eliminate current dirt ditches. An estimated 18,733 acre-feet/year of conserved water will remain in the Snake River channel, benefitting up and downstream users as well as sustaining critical habitat for the endangered salmonid fish species in the Snake and Columbia River basins. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is also expected to save energy and costs from reduced pumping, reduce sediment loads, and lower maintenance costs.

Name: Twin Falls Clover Irrigation Area
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $2,000,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 3,000
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 10
Proposed New Contract Acres: 475
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2013; 2019
Complemented Project Type: Canal lining & piping

The Twin Falls Canal Company in Twin Falls County, ID used two Reclamation WaterSMART grants to manage water demands in its service area through construction of an irrigation pond and lining 4,200 linear feet of earthen canal with prefabricated geomembrane liner. These projects respectively saved 13,500 and 9,420 acre-feet annually of the water diverted from the Snake River at Milner Dam for other irrigation water users in the area by reducing seepage loss and improving delivery efficiency. With additional NRCS assistance, other water management entities, including pump companies lifting water into the improved canal, as well as farmers and ranchers in the area will be able to further reduce seepage loss in the delivery system and improve irrigation water use efficiencies on crop fields and pastures. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is also expected to improve water quality by reducing nutrient transport through improved nutrient management, improve crop productivity and health, and reduce erosion in the canals.

Kansas

2 ongoing areas for $250,000

Name: Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $150,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 5,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 2
Proposed New Contract Acres: 400
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining

The Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District in Republic and Jewel counties, KS used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace 4 miles of open canal with 3.3 miles of buried pipe to reduce losses to seepage, spills, and evaporation. The improvements are expected to save 724 acre-feet of water annually reducing groundwater withdrawals and protecting base flows in the Republican River basin. With additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the area will be able to better manage soil moisture and improve the efficiencies of irrigation systems by 5 percent. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, the EQIP funding is also expected to improve nutrient management.

Name: Kirwin Irrigation District #1
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $100,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 5,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 2
Proposed New Contract Acres: 400
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: Small-Scale WEP, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining

The Kirwin Irrigation District #1 in Phillips and Smith counties, KS used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to convert open ditches to a buried pipe system to reduce losses to seepage, spills, and evaporation. The improvements are expected to save 168 acre-feet of water annually reducing withdrawals from the Kirwin Reservoir. With additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the area will be able to better manage soil moisture, improve the efficiencies of irrigation systems by 10 to 45 percent, and save up to 45 additional acre-feet of water annually. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to improve nutrient management and reduce the need for weed control in the ditch.

Montana

1 ongoing area for $250,000

Name: Helena Valley Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $250,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 20,073
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 3
Proposed New Contracts: 2
Proposed Contract Acres: 100
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2021
Complemented Project Type: Canal piping

The Helena Valley Irrigation District in Lewis and Clark County, Montana is using one Reclamation WaterSMART Program grant in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to convert 3 miles of earthen canal to pipeline. This project estimates saving 1,550 to 1,650 acre-feet per year of water normally lost to seepage, however only half the project is feasible under current inflation rates. If the project is implemented, it will reduce the need to withdraw water from Prickly Pear Creek or Lake Helena. With additional NRCS assistance, Water Management Entities will be able to convert 8,700 linear feet of pipeline. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding may reduce nutrients transported to surface water from cropland and improve crop productivity and health.

Nebraska

1 ongoing area for $200,000

Name: Upper Republican NRD
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $200,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 35,155
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 8
Proposed Contract Acres: 6,000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Remote Water Metering

The Upper Republican NRD in Dundy, Chase, and Perkins counties, NE used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to install a remote water metering system to reduce groundwater withdrawals for irrigation by providing real-time data on water use and evaporation-transpiration losses. The improvements are expected to reduce irrigation applications on average by 15 percent. With additional NRCS assistance, crop farmers in the area will be able to further improve irrigation system water use efficiency. In addition to water conservation and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to reduce nutrient loss and groundwater pollution and improve crop health and productivity.

Nevada

1 ongoing area for $1,739,044

Name: Truckee-Carson Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,739,044
Priority Area Extent: 52,290 acres
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed Contract Acres: 800
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2021
Complemented Project Type: Automation

The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District in Churchill County, NV used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to automate six check structures within the V-Line Canal to enable level and flow control for more efficient water conveyance and increased public safety. The project resulted in water savings of 3,445 acre-feet annually allowing for reduced diversions from the Truckee River. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers in the area will be able to line dirt ditches with concrete, install water control structures, and level irrigated fields to improve water use efficiency. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is also expected to reduce nutrients transported to surface water and improve crop productivity and health.

New Mexico

7 ongoing areas for $3,000,000

Name: Bloomfield Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $20,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 300
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 4
Proposed New Contracts: 2
Proposed New Contract Acres: 80
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2017
Complemented Project Type: Flume

The Bloomfield Irrigation District in San Juan County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace a flume with new, updated structure and resin system to help with water conservation and efficiency. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the area will be able to increase water use efficiency and reduce water loss due to seepage and evaporation. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to improve soil health, crop productivity and health.

Name: Fort Sumner Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $350,000
Priority Area Extent: 6,700 acres
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 6
Proposed New Contract Acres: 120
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2019
Complemented Project Type: Automation, canal lining

The Fort Sumner Irrigation District in De Baca County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to install telemetry equipment to monitor real-time flow data, install an automatic head gate controller, and provide more consistent water deliveries. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers in the area will be able to improve soil moisture, use irrigation water more efficiently, and monitor water diversions from the Pecos River potentially saving 340 acre-feet per season. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to reduce organic matter depletion and improve crop productivity and health.

Name: Arch Hurley Conservancy District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $650,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 36,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1,300
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2010
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining Project

The Arch Hurley Conservancy District in Quay County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to line earthen ditches with sodium bentonite to save 13,000 acre-feet of water withdrawal from Conchas Lake. With the additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers will be able to improve their irrigation systems and are expected to double irrigation water use efficiency, save 200 to 300 acre-feet of water, extend water supply during drought, and benefit downstream water users. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help them improve soil health to reduce erosion and improve the amount and quality of crops produced.

Name: Carlsbad Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 25,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5
Proposed New Contract Acres: 500
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Automation, Canal Lining

The Carlsbad Irrigation District in Eddy County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to automate water delivery to reduce spills and line the main canal with concrete to reduce seepage losses. These improvements are expected to save 4,000 acre-feet of water annually extending water availability during prolonged drought, meeting requirements to fulfill a compact with the state of Texas and contributing to base flows in the Black River where the endangered Texas Horn Mussel species resides. EQIP funds have been targeted to this area since FY18 to assist farmers install newer irrigation systems on private ditches. With the additional funding, more farmers will be able to improve their irrigation systems and reduce depletion of surface water. Records monitoring of irritation water management by farmers and water flows to Texas by water masters will be used to evaluate success of the project.

Name: Elephant Butte Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,300,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 75,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 3,000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Canal Lining Project

The Elephant Butte Irrigation District in Sierra and Dona Ana counties, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to convert two open channel laterals to pipe, install water meters on them, and add three new high-flow lift pumps to the system. The project is expected to conserve 2,362-acre feet of water per year formerly lost to seepage and evaporation during transport from the Elephant Butte Reservoir on the Rio Grande River to local farmers. Conserved water will be used to improve water delivery reliability for irrigators in the area and will also reduce groundwater withdrawals. EQIP funds have been targeted to the area over the last two years and will continue to help farmers convert open ditches to lined ditches or pipelines and install micro-irrigation systems on arid lands. These improvements are expected to double irrigation efficiency and make more water available to others. Additionally, EQIP funds help farmers improve soil health, reduce nutrient loss to groundwater, protect crop health, improve the availability of crops, and reduce farm labor and water purchase costs.

Name: Guadalupe Soil and Water Cons. District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $300,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 6,225
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 10
Proposed New Contract Acres: 200
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2017
Complemented Project Type: Acequia Restoration Project

The Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District in Guadalupe County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to improve at least three historic community earthen canal systems known as "acequias," replace open dirt ditches with pipes to control water losses from seepage and evaporation, decrease contamination from silt and trash, and reduce maintenance costs. Improvements to the gravity flow canal water collection system will also reduce particulate delivery to the Pecos River, an impaired water body designated on the 303D list. EQIP funds have been targeted to the area since FY19 and will continue to be used to help farmers improve irrigation water use efficiency, crop health and productivity. These improvements are expected to increase irrigation water use efficiency by 12 percent up making 500 acre-feet of water available annually to use during droughts or by downstream users.

Name: Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $350,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 30,000
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 8
Proposed New Contract Acres: 240
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: DRP, 2016
Complemented Project Type: Drought Contingency Project

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District in Socorro County, NM used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to install a dedicated pumping facility to better manage water delivery to over 10,000 irrigators, extend water supply during severe to exceptional drought conditions during summer months, and increase flows in the Rio Grande River to benefit the endangered silvery minnow species. EQIP funds have been targeted to the area since 2018 to help farmers improve irrigation systems and establish conservation cover for providing critical habitat to the southwestern willow flycatcher, another endangered species in the area. Improved systems are expected to achieve up to 80 percent irrigation water use efficiency while conservation cover allows increase groundwater recharge.

Oklahoma

1 ongoing area for $250,000

Name: Blue River Watershed
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $250,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 411,650
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 20
Proposed New Contract Acres: 15,000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Category: CWMP, 2019
Complemented Project Type: Watershed Restoration

The Blue River Foundation of Oklahoma in Johnston County, OK used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to carry out the Blue River Watershed restoration planning activities including the identification of priority areas and development of conservation plans suitable for voluntary implementation by landowners. The Blue River is the only free-flowing river in Oklahoma receiving water from four aquifers, supports public fishing and recreation in the Blue River Wildlife Management Area, and is the primary drinking water source for the city of Durant. Restoration partners include municipalities, the Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation, state and federal agencies, producer groups, and non-profits. With additional NRCS assistance, farmers and ranchers will be able to improve critical conservation areas on their range, pasture, and woodland by improving soil health, reducing sediment and nutrient runoff, restoring riparian functions, and controlling invasive species. In addition to the watershed restoration, aquifer protection, and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding is expected to improve crop productivity and health and reduce pest pressure.

Oregon

2 new areas for $1,250,000

Name: East Fork Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 2,500
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 4 this year, 30 project life
Proposed New Contract Acres: 300 this year, 2,000 project life
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: EWRP (2022)
Complemented Project Type: Canal conversion to pipeline

The East Fork Irrigation District located in Hood River County, OR, used one Reclamation WaterSMART Program grant to upgrade 10,700 feet of irrigation pipeline and install pressure reducing stations. This upgrade will deliver water more efficiently to 260 water users irrigating over 10,000 acres and enable additional on-farm water savings. Most water supplied to the district is withdrawn from the East Fork of the Hood River where water temperature is a concern for fish habitat. With additional NRCS assistance, orchard producers and other growers will be able to improve 2,000 acres of cropland and 500 acres of pasture in the area by upgrading irrigation systems to low-flow and micro sprinkler systems. These improvements will result in a 40% greater efficiency and further reduce the demand for water from the Hood River by a total of 3,825 acre-feet. 

Name: Vale Oregon Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $750,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 2,200
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 5 this year (40 project life)
Proposed New Contract Acres: 300 this year (2,100 project life)
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2023)
Complemented Project Type: Canal conversion to pipeline

The Malheur Watershed Council and the Vale Oregon Irrigation District located in Malheur County, OR, used one Reclamation WaterSMART Program grant to pipe 10.4 miles of earthen lateral canals in the west bench area which will result in savings of approximately 4,896 acre-feet per year and an elimination of an eroding canal that is a source of sediment that degrade water quality. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers in the area will be able to convert from furrow irrigation to sprinklers which use water 30% more efficiently and reduces the quantity of surface water withdrawals. In addition to the water conservation and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help reduce the risk of transporting nutrients which can lower crop productivity and pollute downstream water bodies. 

1 ongoing area for $750,000

Name: Middle Fork Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $750,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 1,300
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 6  
Proposed New Contract Acres: 250
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2020)
Complemented Project Type: Canal lining

The Middle Fork Irrigation District in Hood River County, Oregon used one Reclamation WaterSMART Program grant in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to line or convert canals to pipeline along the Coe Branch tributary of the Middle Fork Hood River. This project eliminated 407 acre-feet of water from being withdrawn allowing the tributary to support populations of Steelhead, Chinook, and Bull trout. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including historically underserved Hispanic farmers, will be able to install irrigation sprinklers, pipelines, and micro-irrigation systems on crop fields and pastures to improve irrigation water use efficiency and further reduce water withdrawals. Partners will monitor the amount of water withdrawals so the amount of water conserved can be accurately measured and documented. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will help further improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Texas

1 ongoing area for $500,000

Name: El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 54,993
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 3
Proposed New Contracts: 20 this year
Proposed New Contract Acres: 600
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG & SWEP, 13 grants
Complemented Project Type: Canal lining and piping

The El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 in El Paso County, Texas used 13 Reclamation WaterSMART Program grants, six in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant and seven in the Small-Scale Water Efficient Project category, to line and convert canals to pipe. These projects will reduce seepage and spillage, ensure consistent water delivery to agricultural areas along the Rio Grande Valley, and reduce sediment loading to improve the quality of water delivered. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including over one 1000 historically underserved producers, will be able to install sprinklers, micro-irrigation systems, and pipelines, line ditches, protect banks from erosion, and restore a wetland. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will reduce sediment transported to surface water, improve crop productivity and health, and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic species.

Utah

One ongoing area for $200,000

Name: King Irrigation Company
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $200,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 620
Funding Timeline: Year 2 of 2
Proposed New Contracts: 17 project life
Proposed Contract Acres: 620 project life
Reclamation WaterSMART Program Categories: WEEG (2023)
Complemented Project Type: Canal piping

The King Irrigation Company in Cache County, Utah, used one Reclamation WaterSMART grant in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grant category to install pressurized pipe, a telemetry system, and a pump stations. This project is expected to result in annual water savings of 171 acre-feet. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers including historically underserved producers, will be able to install sprinkler systems, pipeline, pumps, and flow meters, and manage nutrients and water on crop and pasture lands. Estimated water savings by converting from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation within this project is expected to be 567 acre-feet each year. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will reduce nutrients transported to surface water and ground water, reduce sediment transported to surface water, and improve plant productivity and health.

Washington

3 ongoing areas for $4,030,000

Name: Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District West Canal
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $2,200,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 146,500
Funding Timeline: Year 3 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 15
Proposed Contract Acres: 1,200
Reclamation WaterSMART Program Categories: WEEG (2019, 2020), SWEP (2019)
Complemented Project Type: Canal lining, piping, automation

The Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District in Grant County, WA used three Reclamation WaterSMART grants, one in the Small-scale Water Efficiency Project category and two in the Water and Energy Efficiency Grants category, to line or pipe canals and automate a lateral turnout. These projects eliminated 1,939 acre-feet of water losses per year in the West Canal project area for use during drought conditions. With additional NRCS assistance, agricultural producers, including historically underserved farmers, will be able to pipe over 6,900 linear feet of on-farm laterals, sub laterals, and open ditches saving an additional 2,400 acre-feet of water each year. Conversion to higher efficiency sprinkler systems will also help reduce soil erosion improving the quality of collected tailwater for use further down the system. In addition to the water saving and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will reduce nutrients transported to surface water from cropland, improve plant productivity and health on pasture, and improve wildlife habitat on associated agricultural land.

Name: Kittitas Reclamation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $1,800,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 57,397
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5 
Proposed New Contracts: 10
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1300
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, SWEP
Complemented Project Type: Canal lining

The Kittitas Reclamation District in Kittitas County, WA used five Reclamation WaterSMART grants to seal sections of concrete lined canals, line earthen sections with geomembrane and concrete, or replace earthen sections with steel reinforced polyethylene and other types of pipes. These projects save 934 acre-feet of water per year for supplementing instream flows in designated critical habitat areas of the Upper Yakima River headwaters used by Bullhead and Steelhead trout. With additional NRCS assistance, water management entities will be able to convert high priority smaller laterals and sub laterals within the 330 miles of conveyance system to pipelines saving an additional 1,204 acre/feet of water/year and farmers and ranchers will be able to convert from rill irrigation to sprinkler systems conserving another 1,230 acre/feet of water/year and improving drought resiliency for the community. In addition to water savings and drought resilience benefits, EQIP funding will reduce irrigation-induced soil erosion preventing transport of sediment and nutrients to local tributaries and improve the health of crops and pastures.

Name: Whitestone Reclamation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $30,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 3,050
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 1 
Proposed New Contract Acres: 25
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG (2011), SWEP (2017)
Complemented Project Type: Piping, pivots, power

The Whitestone Reclamation District (WRD) in Okanogan County, WA used two Reclamation WaterSMART grants to reduce water loss from seepage and evaporation by lining canals or replacing them with pipe which further allowed increased efficiency from pressurizing the system. The improvements resulted in saving at least 331 acre-feet of water per year from needing to be withdrawn from Toats Coulee Creek. The Okanogan Conservation District will work with the WRD using NRCS tools to measure and help monitor flow rates before and after the upgrades and estimate benefits to the fish, wildlife, and wetlands in the area. Outreach activities include efforts to reach Hispanic owners and or operators in the area. With additional NRCS assistance, more sections of the aging canal and other infrastructure may be lined, piped, or upgraded and farmers will be able to improve irrigation water management for fruit trees, hay, and pasture. In addition to the water savings and drought resiliency benefits, EQIP funds will help improve energy use efficiency and crop productivity and health.

Wyoming

1 new area for $300,000

Name: Upper Bluff Canal
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $300,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 1,500
Funding Timeline: Year 1 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 4 this year, 18 project life
Proposed New Contract Acres: 450 (650 project life)
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: SWEP, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Infrastructure modernization

The Upper Bluff Irrigation District located in Washakie County, WY, operates the Upper Bluff Canal in the Worland area of the Bighorn River Basin. The district used a Small-Scale Water Efficiency WaterSMART grant to upgrade two existing split case centrifugal pumps to modern variable frequency drive pumps with programmable water level sensors to modulate and adjust water flows based on demand. These upgrades allow savings of water and energy and reduce spills from the canal. Water is withdrawn from the Bighorn River and delivered via the canal to irrigate about 1500 acres of mainly cropland (sugar beets, barley, corn, hay). Water left in the canal is then returned to the river, currently a 303(d) listed stream. With additional NRCS assistance, producers along this canal can improve irrigation efficiency by upgrading irrigation systems and conveyance lines. EQIP funding and technical assistance is available to help install center pivot systems, gated pipe systems, water control structures, buried irrigation pipelines, etc. Implementing these practices would not only increase irrigation efficiency but it also would decrease soil erosion and sediment transport to the river. 

3 ongoing areas for $925,000

Name: Heart Mountain Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $320,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 36,600
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 4
Proposed New Contract Acres: 320
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Infrastructure

The Heart Mountain Irrigation District in Park County, WY used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace 637 feet of existing, aging liner along the Rattlesnake Canal. The project is expected to conserve 211 acre-feet of water supplied from the Shoshone River and is currently lost to seepage and breaches. With additional NRCS assistance, crop and livestock farmers will be able to improve irrigation water management systems by converting flood irrigation to sprinklers, installing new pumps, flow meters, replacing dirt ditches with buried pipe, and other surface and subsurface irrigation components. An estimate of 2,000 to 6,000 acre-feet of additional water may be saved. In addition to the water savings and drought resiliency benefits, EQIP funds help reduce concentrated flow erosion, improve soil health, and reduce sediment, nutrient, and pathogen losses loads.

Name: Lovell Irrigation District
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $225,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 2,400
Funding Timeline: Year 4 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 3
Proposed New Contract Acres: 450
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2019
Complemented Project Type: Canal piping

The Lovell Irrigation District in Big Horn County, WY is using Reclamation WaterSMART funds to convert 8,750 feet of the earthen Moncur Lateral to buried polyvinyl chloride pipeline, to address seepage and evaporation losses. The project is expected to result in an annual water savings of 1,554 acre-feet, which will be used primarily to increase the reliability of water supply from the Shoshone River and to reduce curtailments for downstream users during shortage periods. With additional NRCS assistance, crop and livestock producers will be able to improve irrigation water management and monitoring systems, reduce seepage loss, sediment transport, and gully or bank erosion in canals. In addition to the water savings and drought resiliency benefits, EQIP funds help improve crop productivity and health.

Name: Hanover Irrigation District Area
Budgeted EQIP Funding This Year: $500,000
Priority Area Extent in Acres: 13,700
Funding Timeline: Year 5 of 5
Proposed New Contracts: 8
Proposed New Contract Acres: 1000
Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Categories: WEEG, 2018
Complemented Project Type: Structure Replacement Project

The Hanover Irrigation District in Washakie County, WY used Reclamation WaterSMART funds to replace the aging Cottonwood Check and Spill structure and install data meters. The structure delivers water from the Boyson Reservoir through the Big Horn River to the Hanover Canal which supplies water to over 13,700 acres of farmland and 513 users who depend on the water and crops produced for their livelihood The improvements are expected to save 1,165 acre-feet per year. With additional NRCS assistance, additional structures in the canal may be replaced and crop and livestock farmers will be able to improve soil moisture management, convert dirt ditches with buried pipe, and improve irrigation water management systems. Water savings by these additional improvements are expected to be significant and will vary across the diversity of irrigated crops including sugar beets, corn, beans, small grains, and alfalfa. In addition to the water savings and drought resiliency benefits, EQIP funds help improve soil health, protect crop health, and reduce sediment, nutrient, and pathogen loads to the Big Horn River, an impaired stream on the 303d list.

Acronyms for Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Programs

CWMP = Cooperative Watershed Management Program
DRP = Drought Response Program
SWEP = Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects
EWRP = Environmental Water Resources Projects
Title XVI = Water Reclamation and Reuse
WCFSP = Water Conservation Field Services Program
WEEG = Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
WMSG = Water Marketing Strategy Grants

Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Links

• Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART   
• Water and Energy Efficiency Grants 
• Water Marketing Strategy Grants  
• Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects  
• Environmental Water Resources Projects
• Title XVI   
• Desalination 
• Basin Studies   
• Baseline Assessments   
• Reservoir Operation Pilots  
• Applied Science Grants  
• Cooperative Watershed Management Program
• Drought Program
• Water Conservation Field Services Program