These drive-by photos from the State of Idaho, taken on the same day ... and within not very many miles ... illustrate what water (here in the form of irrigation) can do. Or perhaps better stated, what farmers cannot do when they lack it.
I don't know much of anything about the politics or ecology of water and irrigation, but it is always a marvel to see how irrigation turns acres of sagebrush into acres of useable farmland.
Water, or the shortage of it, is on our minds now that we have arrived at our summer destination. Our RV Park is on a reservoir which is primarily used for flood-control and farmland irrigation. Recreation on the Lake is (as it should be) a secondary purpose.
Early last Spring (way before we got here) there were heavy rains in this area that filled the Lake to capacity. Anticipating more rain, as is usual here throughout the spring, the Army Corps of Engineers began the slow process of draining the reservoir. (If the water gets let out too fast, it would flood farms downstream.) But the rains didn't arrive as scheduled. (Weather can be funny that way.)
So the Lake is too shallow for boating and parts of it (as in the middle picture above) are even too shallow for birds and fish. But there are still great views in some places and it is still a lovely place to spend the summer.
Linked to NATURE NOTES at Michelle's Rambling Woods.
Water really is a big issue. Good posting.
Posted by: Nan | July 30, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Great shots! What a beautiful place!
Posted by: Mary | July 26, 2013 at 09:11 AM
The photographs are all very beautiful. Water is such a difficult issue and hard to know how to manage it for the best.
Posted by: Carver | July 25, 2013 at 11:01 AM
Wonderful photos, wonderful views:) Greetings
Posted by: ZielonaMila | July 25, 2013 at 01:41 AM
It is hard to predict the whims of mother nature..... Lovely wetlands... Michelle
Posted by: Rambling woods | July 24, 2013 at 06:48 PM
Great photos, Sallie :) It looks like a beautiful place, and it was interesting hearing about it!
Posted by: Hilde | July 24, 2013 at 11:02 AM
Hi Sallie!
Water is so important! Nice to see your photos from your side of the world. In the south of Sweden, where I live, is it now very dry - and hot! (+30 C in the shade!) It's been some time since we got any rain at all.
Oh, I must try to explain a bit of my illnes! I had no surgery this time. I got pulmonary embolism and it will go away with medicine. I was only staying in hospital for three days and nights.
Thanks for your sweet comments!
Hugs Pia
Posted by: I stora drag | July 24, 2013 at 10:10 AM
I am always in awe of those irrigation "arms" out in the fields too. I could spend my summer there, it's lovely
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | July 24, 2013 at 07:48 AM
Same problem here but with too much water. The lake is full and the engineers are looking at the sky anxiously. The lake had to be high in summer because its first purposes are tourism (boating, swimming ans so on) and electricity,but not too full...
Posted by: Annie | July 24, 2013 at 07:33 AM
An ideal spot!
Posted by: HAZEL | July 24, 2013 at 05:54 AM
Water is a must to us.
One of its usage is to produce a beautiful waterscape.
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田 Malaysia） | July 24, 2013 at 05:12 AM
The lake is certainly a very attractive place to visit. Thank you for showing us around and for the extra information.
Thanks for all your comments. I agree with you that the bike has changed the world. When I was a student I either hitch hiked or cycled. I had no money to travel by train always. We did a bit by train, but we were very carefully with the little money we had.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Posted by: Reader Wil | July 24, 2013 at 01:33 AM
i ned to visit such beautiful places in US of A :)
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com
Posted by: shooting star | July 23, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Guess even the Corps can't guess the weather yet it looks like a great wetland.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 23, 2013 at 08:52 PM
I think Idaho is one of my favorite states...I love everything about it...esp. the history!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | July 23, 2013 at 07:15 PM
Welcome back to blogland! I'm paranoid about losing photos or music, so I back everything up multiple times and keep a copy at the office! Lovely photos, and I hope there's some rain soon - it's been a dry summer here too.
Posted by: Al | July 23, 2013 at 06:35 PM
weather can certainly be unpredictable. i hope there is enough water for irrigation and water supply, if not for recreation.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 23, 2013 at 06:30 PM
What a beautiful place, and lucky you to be able to spend time there! I have never been so aware of water issues as I am now, living in the desert, in an irrigated valley. Lots of politics and environmental issues, as you say. Right now we are having a rare drenching rain. Time to watch for flash floods. Always too little, and rarely a bit too much!
Posted by: Clair Z. | July 23, 2013 at 06:11 PM
Idaho is a lovely state. I remember driving thru on our way to the Tetons and Yellowstone. I guess rain is needed sometimes. Have a great week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | July 23, 2013 at 05:59 PM
It's been years since I've been to Idaho. Or Utah. Or Wyoming. Or Washington. And I've never been to Oregon. I don't think.
This does look like a nice place to spend the summer. If you want more rain, though, you could have stayed in Florida. Sheesh! We are waterlogged. I wouldn't mind so much but it disrupts my golf game and my golf game is bad enough as it is!
I've often thought that if Florida didn't get all the rain it does it would look like Arizona in the summertime.
Hope you're having fun. Don't go floating down the river in your RV. Take a canoe.
Posted by: Lowell | July 23, 2013 at 04:08 PM