WSU surveys irrigated farm owners

In December 2020 and January 2021, Washington State University will be fielding a survey about water management to a random sample of owners of irrigated farms. University scientists and collaborators will survey owners in the Okanogan, Methow, Walla Walla and Yakima river basins. Insights from irrigators will help researchers develop innovations to foster water use efficiency for Northwest residents, agriculture and the environment.

The survey will ask people about their use of weather forecasts and how they might best be improved, basic information about their operations, their views on water management policies, and their views and experience with water markets. It will be conducted on behalf of the WSU research team by Pacific Market Research.

“We hope that over time, the results will help irrigated farming yields and increase the value and security of water rights,” noted a news release from the university. “The survey does not ask any questions that would put anyone’s water right at risk of relinquishment. All responses will be kept confidential.”

The survey is part of Technology for Trade, a research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by the State of Washington Water Research Center, which focuses on developing new technology and practices that could provide better information to guide decisions about water – and ultimately, make more water available for people, fish and river flows.

Eligible water rights holders and irrigation district growers will be chosen at random to receive an invitation letter to participate. Invited participants can complete the survey on paper or online at the Washington Water Management Survey webpage. Anyone who would like to participate but has not received an invitation letter should contact Joe Cook at joe.cook@wsu.edu or by phone at 509.335.3817.