Through NRCS’s EQIP WaterSMART Initiative, we collaborate with the Bureau of Reclamation to coordinate investments in priority areas for improving our cumulative impact in water conservation and drought resilience. The Middle Fork Irrigation District WaterSMART project is to assist local orchardists and pasture operators with irrigation infrastructure improvements. This project complements a Bureau of Reclamation project to pipe the Middle Fork Irrigation District’s diversion from Coe Creek to an existing settling pond.

NRCS uses EQIP WaterSmart funds to complement Reclamation WaterSMART funded projects by helping eligible farmers and ranchers make improvements that align with the paired Reclamation WaterSMART project.

Eligible farmers and ranchers with operations in a selected priority area will be automatically ranked in the EQIP-WSI targeted fund pool when they apply for EQIP funding.

Primary Resource Concern Addressed:
Source Water Depletion – Surface Water Depletion
Source Water Depletion – Inefficient Irrigation Water Use and Surface Water Depletion
Weather Resilience – Naturally Available Moisture Use

Conservation Practices Offered:
- Irrigation Pipeline
- Irrigation System, Microirrigation
- Sprinkler System
- Irrigation Water Management
- Structure for Water Control

While this is a nationally available program, there are targeted conservation areas. Oregon's WaterSmart Initiative is in Hood River county.