WATERSHED, SOIL, AND AIR PROJECT PROPOSAL USDA Forest Service, Technology & Development Program
Project Name or Title:	Field Guide for Fish Screens at Irrigation Diversions
Submitted by (your name):	Mark Weinhold
Unit name and address:	White River National Forest, PO Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
Telephone:	970-945-3306
IBM or Internet Address:	mweinhold@fs.fed.us
Date:	03-05-08
OVERALL OBJECTIVES/PROBLEM STATEMENT (Describe the problem, how the work is currently being done, and why improvement is needed.)
Irrigation diversions on National Forests are widespread, many occur on fish bearing streams. With the exception of the Pacific Northwest which has ESA listed fish, there are typically no screening requirements to keep adult and juvenile fish from entering irrigation ditches. Often permit holders are sympathetic to the need to screen their diversion, but they don’t have a clear idea on what would work and what the associated cost might be. Internet searches for fish screening examples typically show more high-tech, high cost solutions from around the country. What is needed is a Field Guide that could be used to introduce irrigation diverters to moderate/low tech solutions that would be reasonably effective at keeping most fish from entering the ditch. In Colorado, for example, there are no State requirements to screen diversions, and our Forest Plan standards don’t specifically require it either. Consequently, screening is largely voluntary which stresses the need for straight forward solutions that are not cost prohibitive.
PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT WORK (Describe your concept of the end product, i.e., a new equipment design, a video production, a guide, etc.)
The conceptual product is a field guide that provides photographs, details, rough costs, and some indication of effectiveness for possible alternatives to providing fish screens at irrigation diversions. A field guide is envisioned as the most effective way to quickly and clearly convey options and opportunities with permit holders or IDT members. This field guide could easily be part of (or a companion to) the guide currently being prepared for irrigation diversion structures.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS (Describe how this project will improve safety, reduce cost, save time, increase efficiency, provide improved resource management, or increase customer satisfaction.) The product would assist in effective resource management by providing irrigation diverters and Forest Service specialists with practical solutions to protect fish and other aquatic organisms while still exercising valid rights to divert water.