Since the late 1800s, the Columbia and Snake rivers
have been the lifeline to farmers throughout the Northwest. The
Northwest has some of the most productive farmland in the nation,
with food processing being the largest manufacturing sector in
Idaho and the second largest in Oregon and Washington.
Northwest Farming
Six percent of the Columbia River Basin's yearly runoff
is diverted to irrigate about 7.8 million acres of land.
Much of the water that is diverted eventually finds its way
back into the river system.
Once
known primarily for dry land wheat, farmers in arid parts
of eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and southern
Idaho now produce a wide variety of crops including corn,
potatoes,
peas,
alfalfa, apples and grapes.
Increased efficiency in irrigation has decreased water use 10
to 25 percent per acre in the last 10 years.
Economic Benefits to the Region
The net value of irrigated agriculture to all western states
is $60 billion.
Net earned income from agricultural production in the three
Northwest states exceeds $8 billion annually.
Food processing in the Northwest adds another $6 billion
in sales value, just for fruits, vegetables and specialty
products.
Food processing is the largest manufacturing employment
sector in the state of Idaho and the second largest in both
Washington and Oregon.
Approximately 90 percent of Idaho’s
potatoes are grown on about 110,000 acres of irrigated
land on the Snake River.
Northwest exports of irrigated agricultural products total
$1.4 billion annually.
The net direct value to the economy of one-acre foot of
water, when used for irrigation, is $60 to $90 per acre-foot.
The Columbia Basin Project alone supplies about 2.6 million-acre
feet per year.
Irrigation projects create wildlife habitat as well as recreation
opportunities. The Columbia Basin Project alone created 500,000
acres of wetlands, wildlife habitat and lakes. Fishing, camping
and hunting are major recreational benefits.
