With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of ditches, irrigators who divert water from local rivers and streams are asked to please call Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Screen Program at 208-756-6022 several days in advance of shutting off their ditch water.
Irrigators are also encouraged to ramp down their flows over several days. The gradual decrease in flow stimulates fish to migrate out of the irrigation system. In addition, irrigators are asked to leave a minimal flow of 50 inches (1 CFS) in the ditch to allow time for Fish and Game to collect any stranded fish.
Idaho Fish and Game’s screen program, water users, and landowners have been working together to prevent the loss of fish into area ditch systems for well over 60 years. The Screen Program currently operates and maintains over 270 fish screens that have been installed with the cooperation of local landowners and water users.