The Function of the Conservation District

TO TAKE AVAILABLE TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND COORDINATE THEM SO THAT THEY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL LAND USER FOR CONSERVATION OF SOIL, WATER, AND RELATED RESOURCES.

Formation of the WRSCD

December 22, 2021 marked the Weiser River Soil Conservation Districts 80th Anniversary. The Weiser River Soil Conservation District was organized by farmers and ranchers within its boundaries on December 22, 1941. Originally, the Weiser River Soil Conservation District included only the area in Washington County drained by the Weiser River. In May of 1971, the remaining area in the County was annexed into the District. It is a legal subdivision of the State of Idaho, in accordance with Idaho State law, Title 22, Chapter 27, of the Idaho Code, as amended. It was formed to provide local leadership in the conservation development and productive use of soil, water, and related resources. The District includes all of Washington County, except the corporate limits of the Cities of Cambridge and Midvale. The District is governed by a seven-person board of Supervisors elected by the local people. They serve without pay and are responsible for coordinating all conservation activities being carried on in the District. Regular monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month. Through knowledge and cooperation, all concerned can ensure an adequate natural resource base for present and future generations in the Weiser River Soil Conservation District.

Current District Supervisors are:

* Rodney Panike-Chairperson

* Mardean Chandler-Vice Chairperson

* Vickie Ford Turnbull-Secretary/Treasurer

* Colton Chandler- Supervisor

* Douglas Newbold - Supervisor

* Bruce Winegar - Supevisor

* Vacant position - Supervisor

Vicki Lukehart-District Office Manager

Kirsten Syme - Office Administrator

  • Washington County was established in 1879 when Idaho was a territory. It was named after President George Washington. Cities located within the County are: Weiser, Midvale and Cambridge, with Weiser being the County Seat.

    Land Area:

    1,474 sq miles of which 1,456 sq miles or 98.83% is land.

    • Washington County is one of the largest onion producing counties in Idaho. The County has an agricultural economy based chiefly on row crops, hay and livestock.

    • Major crops include hay, silage, onions, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, com, barley beans and specialty

    Crops:

    • Ranching and farming is one the major industries of the area. Average size of farms is 954 acres.

    • The County is 55% urban and 47% rural.

    Water Area: 17.3 sq. miles is water or 1.17%. There are two main rivers within the County and four major

    Reservoirs:

    • Snake River

    • Weiser River

    • Brownlee Reservoir

    • Crane Creek Reservoir

    • Mann Creek Reservoir

    • Paddock Valley Reservoir

    Climate:

    Washington County climate is characterized as semi-arid. Air temperatures range from 20 degrees F. in winter to 90 degrees F. in the summer. Average annual precipitation ranges from 10-12 inches a year. These variables in temperature are due to different elevations within Washington County. The lowest elevation is the City of Weiser with the highest elevation being Cambridge.

    Occasional flooding occurs along the Weiser River during spring snow melt. Unpredictable flooding has occurred where there is a large storm event and can occur at any time throughout the year.

    Geology and Topography:

    The land in the northern part of Washington County is mainly mountainous with many rivers and streams running through it. It is known for the picturesque Hells Canyon with the Snake River flowing through. Through the central part of the County runs the Little Weiser River which flows into the Weiser River. The Weiser River flows through the cities of Cambridge, Midvale and Weiser where it eventually flows into the Snake River.

  • The Weiser River sub-basin consists of approximately 1,079,143 acres and includes all or part of the established communities of Weiser, Midvale, Cambridge and Council as well as several associated rural agricultural areas. Portions of two counties fall withing the Weiser River Subbasin boundary. Washington County of the southern end accounts for three of three of the communities (Weiser, Midvale and Cambridge) and approximately fifty seven percent of the total subbasin acreage. Forty-three percent of the subbasin is in Adams County, which includes the community of Council.

    The county boundaries are also consistent with the Soil Conservation District (SWCD boundaries). While Adams County residents are served by the Adams SWCD, the SCD that serves Washington County residents is referred to as the Weiser River Soil Conservation District.

  • Land ownership within the Weiser River subbasin is divided almost equally between private and public lands. Of the approximately 1,079,143 acres within the sub-basin 541,854 acres (50.2%) is privately owned, while 533,799 acres (49.5%) fall under public ownership.

    The majority of the publicly owned land consists of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land in the mountainous areas that surround the western, northern, and eastern portions of the subbasin. The land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) consists mostly of rangeland near the outer reaches of the valleys and foothills. Private landownership consists primarily of the private rangeland and irrigated agricultural lands adjacent to the water bodies and drainages in the central portion of the subbasin.