History of Niagara Springs WMA

History

The Niagara Springs WMA was purchased with federal and state license funds by Idaho Fish and Game in 1972. Eight adjacent islands were acquired previously in 1971 from the BLM. An additional parcel adjacent to the WMA was obtained in 1973. In 2002, the department made a land trade with Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). The department gave ITD approximately 9.0 acres that is now the ITD Rest Area adjacent to Highway 30 and Hagerman WMA. In return, the department received 88.97 acres of land along the western border of NSWMA. This property includes the Empire Ponds. The Niagara Springs WMA was acquired to provide 976 acres of habitat for waterfowl and upland game production and public use. 

Beginning in 1996, the North Side Canal Company and the department collaborated to construct four settling ponds below the J-8 irrigation ditch discharge on the west side of the WMA. These ponds were constructed to allow natural filtering of irrigation water prior to discharge into the Snake River and to provide wildlife habitat. These ponds are popular waterfowl hunting destinations. 

Prior to the department’s tenure, the area had multiple owners and uses ranging from dairy farming to cattle ranching. The native uplands had been intensively used and were in poor condition. In addition, due to its scenic nature, the riparian zone and canyon rim were threatened by domestic development. One of the historical ranch houses remained standing on the east side of the WMA when the department acquired the property. In the fall of 2012, it was deemed the house was no longer hospitable and was thus demolished. 
Niagara Springs WMA has a resident trout fishery sustained by natural reproduction in the May’s Ditch, fed by Niagara Springs. The May’s Ditch terminates in two ponds located on the WMA and has no connectivity to the nearby Snake River.