Location: Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research
Project Number: 2054-13000-010-009-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2021
End Date: Jun 30, 2026
Objective:
To determine water quality trends for irrigation return flow from the Twin Falls Canal Company and monitor the effectiveness of Twin Falls Canal Company water quality ponds.
Approach:
This research expands current water quality monitoring that is being conducted by Kimberly ARS for the Conservation Effects Assessment Project. Water samples will be collected from up to twenty sites where water returns from the Twin Falls Canal Company (TFCC) to the Snake River plus the Snake River at Milner, Main Canal near Hansen, Rock Creek, before it crosses the Highline Canal, and Salmon Falls Creek at Hwy 30. Water samples will also be collected from inflow and outflow of up to five water quality ponds. Sampling sites will be identified in cooperation with TFCC. Samples will be collected weekly when water is flowing in irrigation canals (April through October) and biweekly in the winter. Samples will be analyzed for sediment, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, nitrate, ammonia and electrical conductivity. Sediment and phosphorus data will be provided to TFCC monthly from May to October plus an annual summary.
