How the program works

• In order to be eligible, participants must have valid water rights in one of 16 identified fish-critical basins
• Program pays up to 85% of total costs for landowners to implement perscried best management practices that increase the effeciency to crop water delivery to irrigated agriculture (up to $400,000 per contract)
• On-farm projects receive irrigation water management planning
• Source metering and fish screening prescrived as appropriate
• Pro-rated portion of saved water is transferred too the states Trust Water Rights program for in-stream flows (proportion based on cost share amount)

How the program began

The program began in 2001 from private land owners and environmentalists who wanted to cooperatively restore in-stream flows for endangered salmonid populations within the states 16 critical basins.

Additional Program information:

WADE 2020 Farm & Fields Irrigation Efficiency Programs with Jon Culp