Conversion from flood to sprinkler irrigation coupled with stream channel restoration often results in increased stream flows that benefit migratory trout. Additionally, instream water leases ensure maintaining life-sustaining flows in drought years.
BBCTU has established instream water leases on 8 key tributaries and water conveyance on 41 tributaries which equates to over 49 cubic feet per second or almost 23,000 gallons per minute being conserved for instream flows.
Here’s an example of water conservation in action. Historically dewatered by irrigation diversions, this Blackfoot tributary sprang back to life after converting the upstream pastures from flood irrigation to pivot irrigation.
Before
After