The Oregon Water Resources Commission awarded more than $535,000 to the Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District and Trout Unlimited for the Sweet Cron Irrigation Modernization Project at their December meeting.
The award was one of four water project grants to local organizations statewide totaling over $8.1 million to support water supply projects that result in economic, environmental and social/cultural public benefits.
For the Sweet Cron Irrigation Modernization Project, the goal is to significantly improve irrigation efficiency by converting from flood and drip irrigation to center-pivot irrigation on 33.4 acres in Sauers Flat north of Kerby.
This strategic upgrade is expected to enhance water distribution by 30-50%, benefiting agricultural production. The shift from flood irrigation will reduce water waste and ensure more precise watering, ultimately increasing crop yields and eliminating water quality impacts from return flows.
This project will occur in a watershed identified by the Oregon Water Resources Commission and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife as the highest priority need and opportunity for flow restoration which aligns with conservation efforts for native fish species. It will also be the first pivot irrigation system installed in the Illinois Valley. Funding comes from the sale of lottery revenue bonds.
Linda Nelsen, co-owner of the Sweet Cron Farm, said it's going to help them, it's going to help their plants and it's going to help the water in the Illinois River. She said it's also going to save them "an immense amount of labor."
