DESCRIPTION
Pomeroy Conservation District used this funding to eliminate fish barriers in the lower Alpowa Creek located at the Wilson Banner Ranch, located less than a mile from the Snake River. Alpowa Creek contains steelhead and other native fish species. The landowners had constructed block dams every year to irrigate their orchards and truck farm. These dams completely blocked the creek during the irrigation season and severely restricted fish migration during other times of the year.
These barrier problems were addressed in three phases, and this project completed the third phase. The first phase installed 3,600 feet of 15-inch plastic irrigation supply line. The second phase installed an instream irrigation diversion structure into the irrigation supply line and completed that supply line. This third phase of the overall project connected the instream structure to a collection tank and provided for the movement of the irrigation pump and electrical service to locations next to the irrigation supply line. The collection tank will help to remove sediment from the water before it reaches the irrigation pumps. This project eliminated the need to construct dams in the Alpowa Creek to supply water for the irrigation pumps.