What's New with Henry's Fork

Here are the latest outputs as of Fall 2012, as we wrap up the project.

Final Report 2012 (pdf)
Final version of hydrology and water management booklet (pdf)
Project team response to Watershed Council comments on draft of booklet (pdf)
USDA National Water Conference Presentation 5/2012 (pdf)

Project Description

Title

Conservation of surface and ground water in a Western watershed experiencing rapid loss of irrigated agricultural land to development

Director

Rob Van Kirk, Associate Professor of Statistics, Humboldt State University

Partners

Humboldt State University, Henry's Fork Foundation, Fremont-Madison Irrigation District, Friends of the Teton River

Project Duration

Three calendar years: 2009-2011

Progress Reports

2011 Progress Report (pdf)
2010 Progress Report (pdf)
2009 Progress Report (pdf)

Project Abstract

Rural watersheds throughout the West are experiencing rapid replacement of irrigated agricultural land with suburban, exurban, and resort development, resulting in increased water demand and alteration of traditional irrigation practices. Furthermore, changes in water withdrawal, conveyance and use have altered ground-surface water interactions, exacerbating conflicts among users. To achieve NIWQP watershed-scale objectives to develop water conservation strategies, promote effectiveness of such strategies, and train the next generation of water professionals, we are conducting research, extension, and education project in the Henry's Fork Snake River watershed that will 1) develop quantitative models of ground and surface water use and flow pathways under historic, current, and anticipated future water/land use scenarios; 2) identify socioeconomic and physical mechanisms that will encourage water conservation and efficient water management on developed lands; 3) prepare and distribute to decision-makers, planners, and stakeholders educational materials describing the watershed's hydrologic system and water conservation benefits and strategies; 4) facilitate development by the Henry's Fork Watershed Council of a water conservation and management strategy to increase water availability for agriculture while enhancing ecological benefits in key stream reaches; and 5) provide experiential training to an interdisciplinary team of environmental science graduate and undergraduate students. A model of surface and ground water flow will be constructed from existing hydrologic data and measurements of stream and canal gain/loss and will be calibrated to traditional irrigation management conditions. This model will be used to predict future conditions under hypothesized land/water-use scenarios. Decision-makers and stakeholders will be involved throughout the project to ensure that project outputs meet their information needs, are disseminated effectively, and contribute to development of stakeholder-driven conservation strategies.

Project Funding

Agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

Funding Recipient

Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation

Funding Amount

$620,000

Project Objectives

1. Develop quantitative models of ground and surface water flow under historic, current, and anticipated future water/land use scenarios.
2. Identify mechanisms that will encourage water conservation and efficient water management on developed lands.
3. Prepare and distribute educational materials describing the watershed's hydrologic system and water conservation and management strategies.
4. Facilitate development of a water management strategy to increase water availability for agriculture while enhancing ecological benefits in key stream reaches.
5. Provide experiential training to an interdisciplinary team of graduate and undergraduate students.

Project Documents

Final Report 2012 (pdf)
2011 Progress report (pdf)
Teton Valley tributary flow model (pdf)
Teton Valley groundwater - surface water model (pdf)
Teton Valley irrigatin diversion model (pdf)
Boise State University Presentation 2011 (pdf)
Water supply, use and budget (pdf)
Sprinkler irrigation analysis(pdf)
Water use in subdivisions (pdf)
Watershed Council Presentation 1/2012 (pdf) Watershed Council Presentation 11/2011 (pdf) Lora Liegel M.A. Thesis
Kimberly Peterson M.A. Thesis
Henry's Fork Ecological Flow Needs Assessment, Sept 2011 (pdf)
Watershed Council Presentation, July 2011 (pdf)
HSU Geology Colloquium, March 2011 (pdf)
Verbeten Presentation at American Water Resources Association Conference, June 2011
Liegel Presentation at World Environmental and Water Resources Congress, May 2011
Peterson Presentation at World Environmental and Water Resources Congress
USBR Presentation, January 2011 (pdf)
Watershed Council Presentation, January 2011 (pdf)
2010 Progress Report (pdf)
July 2010 Field Trip (pdf)
2010 Water Council Presentation (pdf)
2010 Water Conference Poster (pdf)
2009 Progress Report (pdf)
2009 Presentation (pdf)
Full Project Proposal (pdf)

Maps

Color Geology Map
Color Region Map
Color Hillshade Map (pdf)
HUCS Map (pdf)
HUCS Map
Rivers Map
Rivers Map (pdf)
Watershed Map (pdf)

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