Flood-irrigating grass hay meadows is a practice that has long enabled ranchers in the snowmelt-driven systems of the western United States to produce forage for livestock and sustain their operations. But as water scarcity increases throughout this semi-arid region, conversion to irrigation practices like center-pivot or other sprinkler systems, these irrigation systems are threatened—along with the habitat they support. A 2024 body of science from the Intermountain West Joint Venture, the University of Montana, and other key science partners shows the outsized ecological effects of flood-irrigated grass hay meadows. These small parcels of land only account for 2.5 percent of the region’s irrigated footprint but provide the majority (58 percent) of temporary wetland habitat in the Intermountain West. Located predominantly in riparian floodplains, flood-irrigated grass hay agriculture mimics natural flooding cycles, providing ecosystem services that promote climate resilience and wildlife benefits. As a result, ranching in many parts of the West has become deeply intertwined with ecosystem function.
The study Beneficial ‘inefficiencies’ of western ranching: Flood-irrigated hay production sustains wetland systems by mimicking historic hydrologic processes uses spatial data and satellite imagery to determine the footprint of flood-irrigated grass hay in the western United States. The research also identifies the wetland habitat provided by these areas throughout the year, showing that certain wetland types are threatened by the loss of agriculture and irrigation conversion across the region.
An Intermountain Insights breaks down the science, discussing where and why flood-irrigated grass hay agriculture is irreplaceable in many parts of the West. It also looks at the tools land managers, ranchers, and conservation practitioners can use to support this important practice.
A Google Earth Engine-powered application, the Working Wetlands Explorer, links sustainable ranching practices to riparian ecosystem services. The tool allows users to map flood-irrigated grass hay agriculture across the western United States, as well as the types of wetlands it provides throughout the year. This spatial tool is a great companion for the strategic conservation of agricultural lands and wetland habitat throughout the region.
A user guide is available for this app here.
What is a working wetland? In the Intermountain West, water-driven habitat is scarce for migratory waterbirds and other animals that depend on wetlands. Much of this habitat occurs on private lands and is driven by agricultural irrigation practices. The term “working wetlands” encompasses agricultural land that provides habitat to wetland-dependent species. Flood-irrigated grass hay meadows, as illustrated in this app and associated science, are only wet for a few months of the year, but can provide a significant portion of those wetland benefits.
Additional Resources
Around the Web
iwjv@iwjv.org
Instagram
Facebook