Irrigation Water Management 
Cost Share Program

A cost-share program designed to encourage growers to implement irrigation water management planning through use of moisture monitoring equipment for efficient use of water resources and nutrient management.  The goal is to implement IWM practices on 400,000 of the 800,000 irrigated acres. 

The Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) has funded an Irrigation Water Management cost share program for Basin growers desiring to reduce nitrate leaching and demonstrate the use of best management practices for irrigating their properties. 

The Irrigation Water Management (IWM) plans, different for rill and sprinkler irrigation, are developed in conjunction with growers’ specific production needs. Plans are approved by the Conservation District boards and implemented by the grower.

The Columbia Basin GWMA funds 50 percent of the program cost for each cooperating grower to a maximum match of  $5,000 at a rate of up to $7.50 per acre. Goods and services eligible for coverage include consulting services and water management tools, such as soil moisture monitoring equipment, flow measurement devices, aerial photography and catch-can tests.

The Irrigation Water Management Cost Share program is another great example of how the Columbia Basin GWMA is serving local farmers by helping them increase efficiency and protect ground water.