2 Lazy 2 P Ranch Water Conservation and Screening

An Idaho Water Resource Board transaction with the Goat Falls Ranch, accomplished in 2017, will permanently lease and rent 11 cfs to the Minimum Stream Flow at the mouth of Goat Creek and Meadow Creek. The transaction closed two diversions and left one screened diversion open; however, the 2 Lazy 2 P Ranch was unable to deliver their small water right (0.61 cfs) by way of the ditch, without a diversion dam. In addition, the existing rotary drum screen was too big to adequately screen the small amount of water. The 2 Lazy 2 P Ranch – Water Conservation and Screening project installed irrigation pipeline and a smaller fish screen in the existing Goat Creek Ditch, removing the need for a tarped diversion and increasing fish access by 2 miles. The water user also agreed to install a smaller pipe for the maximum delivery of 0.575 cfs for a small water savings.

Some modification of the outlet may be needed in the fall when the water is shut off to bring the pipe directly out of the screen bay. Custer SCWD will monitor the system until that time. This project was completed on time and within scope.

One of the advantages of working on the Goat Creek 7 solution was to inspire the downstream users to work with the Custer SWCD and IDFG to install a screen and head-gate for their water right. Downstream water users contacted Custer CSWCD immediately after the Goat Creek 7 project was completed and requested assistance to do a similar project.

Project benefit is to ensure fish screening and legal water delivery to the final water user involved in the Goat Falls Ranch Sale. Fish have been moving up Goat Creek since the transaction and screening this small amount of water is important to fisheries. In addition, it is important to retain landowner support and cooperation of neighboring landowners as an important component to the overall program.