Bohannon Creek, Wellard Field Irrigation

Project Narrative

The Bohannon Creek Wellard Field Irrigation Project created water savings through irrigation efficiencies as well as transferred agricultural uses from the 112 acre Pine Creek Ranch to the Wellard fields. The water savings provided an additional 3.36 cfs in 1.3 miles of the Lemhi River, and an additional 2.18 cfs in 1.8 miles of Bohannon Creek for an additive total of 5.54 cfs in 3.10 total miles. The transfer made it possible for the ongoing habitat rehabilitation on the Lemhi River between Wimpey Creek and Bohannon Creek (IDFG, Sub-Reach 1, Lower Lemhi Rehabilitation, PCSRF projects 019 16 SA & 008 18 SA). Off stream stockwater was installed to keep cattle out of riparian areas. This metric was inadvertently left off of the proposed metrics. The Bohannon Creek, Wellard Field Irrigation Project benefits the Lemhi watershed through water savings via irrigation efficiencies and a reduction in total irrigated acres. The transfer moved hay production to higher quality soils with better yields, as well as freed up 112 acres of Lemhi River floodplain for extensive habitat enhancement projects (PCSRF projects 019 16 SA & 008 18 SA) to benefit Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook salmon and Snake River Basin steelhead.