Devil creek water levels are lower right now than they have ever been in at least ten years. They are required to maintain a conservation pool to prevent fish loss but as if this morning there was still water flowing out. Does anyone know what they are doing? I've left a message with fish and game but like normal, I haven't heard back. If you are concerned about saving our fisheries we need to make sure that the required conservation pool is maintained!!!!
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[:/] Just received a call back from Fish and Game. They did authorize the irrigation company to use up to two feet of water below conservation pool. The result of that agreement will allow the water in crowthers to remain at current levels. Fish and Game have contacted the water master who agreed to check on the water level today and turn off the water flow as soon as it reaches two feet below conservation pool.
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What a bummer. I really love that pond. Thanks for the info. 😭
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Drove by there recently myself......Good Lord where is all the water. That's a low pool!
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Off topic a hair, but any word on Daniels? Chesterfield look
and Devils is real
.
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I just hope they do not drain (Devil Creek) so low that you can not hold a Ice Fishing Tourney... When has saving a fishery been a concern for you MADDOG? I'm sure there will be enough water come January. My guess the fish will be smaller..
Crowthers is a dang small stream or mud puddle.
Deep Creek is looking O.K. For now.
Just saying.
Idaho
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It bugs me even more when I think about those nice rainy days we had a month or so ago. Every stinking farmer's field I passed those days had their water going all day. Greedy buggers.
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You must not know me very well, I am a red blooded all American Bass Hugger and fish lover!!!
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In defense of the farmers, when the canals are turned on the water needs to be used. It doesn't go back to the lake. The canals can't be just turned off and on like your home faucet.
When they are allotted the water, they just about have to use it, or it's wasted anyway. The canal doesn't run backwards. So rain or shine they water when their turn is.
Really the only way that they can adjust is if they shorten the season, and some of them have done that to save the fish. They did with Chesterfield last year. I hope they keep a pool there this year. That isn't an easy sacrifice. It costs them lots of money to shorten their water.
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That's makes sense, though maybe a better system is in order at some point. I think it's funny that I've heard the weatherman talking about getting rain to help the farmers to ease up on water use, but apparently it doesn't matter either way. Perhaps the canal operators could do their part if it's raining all day. Maybe I just need to move to a place that isn't a desert [:/]
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The farmers own the water, they built the pond, just feel lucky they let us fish. That's why the boat ramp at Oakley sux, its irrigation not recreation. All this whining at lake Lowell cracks me up, it's at artificial ecosystem, it was desert first, if they drained the pond the birds would leave, maybe the hippies too. Thank God for the Snake River and Dry Creek Outfitters.
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It's true, we're lucky to have it, but that still doesn't mean people should be wasteful. Maybe if people were more careful the reservoirs wouldn't drain down to minimum pool and as a result would be easier to fill to capacity for the next season.
My town doesn't charge for water use, but I'm still careful with how and when I water. Unfortunately the rest of the town thinks that means there's a free for all on water, and as a result, very restrictive water rationing was just implemented. A little prudence might be helpful considering water is a such a limited resource around here.
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The day will come where all water will be regulated,
but true. With the continued increase in population in all western states it is just a matter of time. It will start with meters on secondary water for city folks, it has already begin in some places. I can see how farmers could also have controls put on them, as mentioned there is a guy that has control over the water gates, it would be a simple matter to have the water control go from manual control to electronic control, if they don't have that system already and then when it is raining the water at the gates could be shut off, just like they have on lawn sprinkler systems when it rains. One of the best water saving things most framers use today is the above ground sprinkler system on those big wheels, I bet that saves thousands, if not millions of gallons every year over flood irrigation.
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High Desert.
Keep the lawn green,
Then wonder about water.
Farmers are usually watering for a reason...
I can just eat so many fish,
Just saying
Idaho
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