Project Description

CORDER DITCH ABANDONMENT PROJECT

Future West provided project support and grant administration to this innovative project that used an innovative application of watershed and climate science. This project improved irrigation efficiency and in-stream flows as well as reduce thermal inputs to the Big Hole River during summer months. Innovative thinking underpinned with watershed and climate science brought this idea to life. Future West served as the grant administrator and provided project management support. The project’s goal was to improve irrigation efficiency and in-stream flows – as well as reduce thermal inputs – to the Big Hole River during summer months. Rancher Erik Kalsta, a Future West Board member, accomplished this by abandoning approximately 5 miles of irrigation ditch and replacing it with sprinkler irrigation.