$24.2 million available to support irrigation upgrades in Idaho and Oregon

Farmers in southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon will have access to $24.2 million in funding to modernize their irrigation systems and reduce runoff in the Mid-Snake River watershed. 

The Freshwater Trust (TFT) announced it secured $12.2 million through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and Idaho Power Company is adding $12 million. 

The five-year initiative will provide growers financial support to upgrade their irrigation systems to maximize runoff reductions. TFT has also secured a $5 million line of credit from Columbia Bank to provide 50% of the incentive payment when equipment is ordered. 

By the end of 2026, the program anticipates completing 52 projects representing $17 million in investments with projected reductions of 20,000 pounds of phosphorus, 185,000 pounds of nitrogen and 13,000 tons of sediment.