Hawkins Pipeline Completion Brings Water Savings to South Bannock County Irrigators
The Marsh Center Irrigation District in South Bannock County has reached a milestone that farmers and ranchers in the area have sought for decades — a modern pipeline system that replaces a network of irrigation ditches dating back more than a century. The project’s completion this spring comes at a critical moment, with Gov. Brad Little having declared a statewide drought, making efficient water delivery more important than ever for Idaho agricultural producers.
The newly finished 10-mile pipeline draws water from Hawkins Reservoir and serves 12 shareholders who collectively irrigate 3,220 acres. Construction unfolded in two phases: workers finished the first five miles in 2024 and completed the second half this spring. The district itself was established in 1896, meaning generations of local farmers relied on the old ditch system before this infrastructure upgrade became reality.
Decades in the Making
Wade Egan, the secretary-treasurer and project manager for the Marsh Center Irrigation District, said conversations about replacing the ditch system had been ongoing for roughly 24 years. “This is something we’ve been wanting to do for, like, well, forever,” Egan said. “I’m 59 years old and it’s been discussed about piping this thing for the last 24 years.”
About five years ago, district members began working with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to secure funding. The total project cost came to approximately $2 million. A DEQ State Agricultural Best Management Practices program grant contributed $250,000 — with $225,000 directed to the irrigation district and $25,000 to the Portneuf Soil and Water Conservation District — while the remainder was funded through the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Steven Smith, a Source Water 319 analyst with Idaho DEQ, noted that the Portneuf Soil and Water Conservation District partnered with the irrigation district on the grant application. “We run it through our ranking process, through our basin advisory groups and that one ranked out high enough to get funded,” Smith said of how the project received approval.
Taylor Uphoff, conservation team leader for USDA-NRCS, explained that the pipeline improves the district’s ability to cut surface water losses and deliver water more efficiently to shareholders. He added that the gravity-fed design allows irrigators to reduce reliance on pumping equipment entirely.
Water Savings, Lower Costs, and Less Labor
The practical benefits for shareholders are substantial. Under the old ditch system, irrigators lost significant volumes of water to ground seepage and surface evaporation. Egan noted that when a shareholder at the end of the line needed 1,300 gallons per minute, the district had to release roughly 2,500 gallons per minute upstream to compensate for those losses.
With the new pipeline, Egan projected water savings of at least 30 percent — and possibly as much as 45 percent — depending on delivery location. “It’s like raising Hawkins Reservoir 30 percent,” he said, adding that the gravity-fed pressure has allowed the district to eliminate nearly all pumping electricity costs. “We’ve sold our pumps — it’s big, it’s a big win.”
The pipeline also dramatically reduces labor demands. Egan estimated that he and three workers previously spent eight days each spring cleaning, scoping, and inspecting their section of ditch for weeds, gophers, and sediment buildup. That annual burden is now eliminated. Coanda screen filters installed at the reservoir outlet remove debris before water enters the pipeline, ensuring sediment-free delivery to all center-pivot and wheel-line systems, which are now entirely gravity fed.
The project was completed by local contractors. Four Trax Excavation of Arimo handled trenching and welding. Two Downey businesses contributed as well — Morrison Fabrication provided steel fabrication work, and HydeRo Irrigation supplied parts and fixtures.
Egan expressed confidence the infrastructure will serve the region for generations. “It’s going to work for the next 100 years,” he said. “That pipe is not going to deteriorate.”
What Comes Next
A public open house is scheduled for Friday, May 8, at Hawkins Reservoir and campground, located at 17432 S. Hawkins Road in South Bannock County. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with displays, booths, and a walking tour of the completed project. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and lunch are planned for 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear and bring a chair. Those wishing to attend can RSVP by emailing charity.staggs@sicog.org. The celebration marks the formal close of a project that district members hope will anchor agricultural water delivery in South Bannock County well into the next century.