The Lower Birch Creek Watershed located in Pondera County encompasses approximately 227,600 acres. Natural resource issues are soluble salt formation and movement (soil salinity); sedimentation caused by water erosion; soil health degradation; loss of irrigation water because of low efficiencies; water quality degradation from sedimentation and nitrates/bacteria in the domestic water supply; rangeland deterioration and noxious weed invasion from improper management; loss of riparian vegetation; water quantity from low irrigation efficiencies; and soil health degradation and salinity. 1) improve irrigation efficiencies from 30% to 60% through reorganization of 6,600 acres to reduce sediments, nitrates and salinity; 2) apply irrigation water management on 11,900 acres; 3) improve irrigation delivery on 20 miles of leaking canals to reduce contribution to saline affected areas; 4) reduce saline affected land by 200 acres through improved irrigation efficiencies and flexible cropping systems; 5) treat 2 miles of eroding streambank to eliminate mass wasting; and 6) improve rangeland condition on 15,000 acres.
