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Page 2 WATER TALK Spring/Summer 199b <br />_ iJ!. <br />r_~ - b' <br />4: <br />..-~eo <br />:~~~.. <br />~~ <br />~~. ;~~ <br />_. ~'~~ <br />1~ ' t~ ~ ~•~~ -' '•• ( Map of Straight River Watershes~ <br />~~ - --- with Location of DNR <br />~• _ __ Water Appropriation Permits <br />c ... ~ -t.-. r <br />.. ~, -r" <br />.! .r.. ~ ~ _lI ( <br />.. ~ w <br />-••° ° '0... 7 \_l~ ° I ~ 0 21~I(OUEIENS <br />Q .... i4 .. .t,. ..1._I. .l_..T .. _. <br />.. ._ .. .. a. ~.. .. <br />t L <br />''Q ? ° ~ 1 <br />_- - ,~Oi. ~ tl E C !: E R .fir DH U B B A H U u . <br />I ~ ~~ <br />Key - ~., °~ .. o.... ~ ,. , °:.° ..a, <br />• -- Watershed Boundary ~ ,o. ..- ~ ; ! ~'~ o~~ o_ Y o `,° t <br />.... _ <br />a Location of DNR ~~ E ~ ~~~ c q _ ^o <br />Appropriation Permit ~ ~ __ ~ _ -'~ _, °~ g <br />and Permit Number ~ ~ ! `~- - <br />< < <br />November 1995 ~~ •~ ' ._-~--~~. I j .. ~;' ~• - x <br />...continued from. previous page <br />lures for spawning, egg and larval development and <br />preventing excessive ice build-up that could cause <br />winterkill. <br />In recent years, the Straight River watershed <br />has been heavily developed for potato farming, using <br />irrigation systems that tap the surficial aquifers. The <br />number of irrigation wells in the Straight River <br />region has increased-from five in 1974, to SS last <br />year-with annual use approaching 3 billion gallons. <br />Previous studies of the Straight River have docu- <br />mented the relationship between surface water and <br />ground water supplies, and water temperatures. <br />Potential expansion in potato fanning and irrigation <br />could put the Straight River trout population at <br />further risk of thermal impact-eventually raising <br />water temperatures beyond their threshold of sur- <br />vival. In addition, the sandy soils of the Straight <br />River watershed, which are well suited for growing <br />potatoes, are also very porous. There is growing <br />concern that nitrates from waste water, nitrogen- <br />based fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals, are <br />leaching back into the ground water and could <br />eventually pose a threat to public health. <br />We cannot ignore the overall impact of what <br />has been happening with water resources in the <br />Straight River region. Additional information is <br />needed to determine the extent to which ground <br />water use in the su~cial aquifers is affecting water <br />supplies, water quality, stream flow conditions, and <br />fish habitat in the Straight River. The continuing <br />demand for water resources in this region also <br />requires that we begin planning future water=manage- <br />ment strategies to sustain our valuable natural and <br />agricultural resources. <br />Over the next two to three years, field staff <br />from state and local agencies will conduct data <br />collection and monitoring activities on the river, the <br />ground water system, seasonal climate, fish popula- <br />tions and habitat, and other factors in the watershed. <br />....continued on next page <br />