Waiting for Water: A Fresh Look at Roswell Marsh

By Jerry Deal, Idaho Department of Fish and Game As fall approaches, waterfowl hunters can't help but start thinking about the upcoming duck and goose season. Thoughts of the upcoming season might just lead to reflections on their favorite waterfowl hunting locations. For "water fowlers" here in the valley, those thoughts might include Roswell Marsh. Located west of Roswell in western Canyon County, Roswell Marsh is a 186-acre wildlife habitat area managed by Idaho Fish and Game. Purchased in the 1980s by the department and with the help of Ducks Unlimited, the marsh land was developed into waterfowl ponds and waterfowl nesting habitat. As the habitat matured, the area became popular for waterfowl hunting, and with the application of special hunting rules, was managed for high quality waterfowl hunting. All of that changed in 2003, when the water supply - the lifeblood of Roswell Marsh - was greatly reduced by state water law. Water for the 90 acres of ponds at Roswell was supplied by a local canal company. When the land was purchased, Fish and Game officials assumed the canal company's water right covered the use for wildlife, which is allowable under Idaho law. They assumed any extra available water in the canal could be used to supply the ponds. That was not the case, however. The canal company's legal counsel pointed out to that the water right was specifically for "agricultural purposes." Though the property was originally platted as "fruit tracts," the marsh property was never used for growing fruit. The state Department of Water Resources and the attorney general's offices were notified. Water Resources told Fish and Game that it was, in fact, in violation of the canal company's water right. A water right allowing agricultural irrigation as the designated beneficial use does not include storage for wildlife. The only water source that came with the purchase allows for agricultural use only. As a result, the primary water supply is gone, and Roswell's ponds are mostly dry now. Fish and Game has investigated the feasibility of using groundwater to supply the marsh and has applied for a water right to do so. Other approaches are also being pursued. But this is a lengthy process with an uncertain outcome. Until a water source for the ponds is restored, waterfowl hunting opportunities at Roswell Marsh will remain limited. Meanwhile, the objective is to maintain vegetation that provides nesting and hiding cover for wildlife, while still allowing easy restoration of wetlands once water is available. This may involve burning, grazing or mowing, as well as controlling weeds and planting beneficial species. Until such time that Roswell Marsh returns to its former glory, the area still remains open from Thursday through Saturday throughout the season. Jerry Deal, wildlife habitat manager in the Southwest Region.