On June 3 and 4, 2025, the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) hosted the Crab Creek Summit—two days of meaningful conversation, learning, and connection focused on the past, present, and future of the Crab Creek watershed. Held at the Wanapum Heritage Center and in the field at Frenchman Hills #1 public access site, the summit welcomed around 80 attendees representing landowners, farmers, agency partners, conservation professionals, and tribal voices.

With around 1.8 million acres of irrigated land in Washington, there’s a growing need for knowledgeable professionals who can help farmers, cities, and communities use water wisely. Many landowners and municipalities don’t have easy access to technical assistance to plan, install, and manage efficient irrigation systems. To help meet that need, the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) hosted a three-day Irrigation Water Management (IWM) Training on May 13–15, 2025.

The 2025 Moses Lake Carp Classic proved once again that a little wind and rain can’t dampen Eastern Washington’s competitive spirit. Held at Connelly Park in Moses Lake on May 17th, there was a great turnout of 27 boats and 73 participants, ready to take on the elements and each other. By the end of the day, participants had removed 351 carp, totaling an incredible 3,400 pounds of invasive fish removed from Moses Lake.

Join us on May 30th at the Royal Dairy Farm in Royal City for an exclusive tour of our Regenerative Farms—including The Kitchen, Worm Farm, and Soil Center. Discover innovative localized weather and emissions sensing technologies, developed by Washington State and Cornell University, that support climate-smart dairy farming. This free event is a great opportunity to see sustainability and scientific advancements in action!

The 2025 Moses Lake Carp Classic returns this Saturday, May 17th, at Connelly Park in Moses Lake. This annual bowfishing tournament is more than just a competition — it’s a community-powered conservation effort.

On Saturday, May 3, the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) hosted a Ripple Effect Workshop at Royal City High School. The event brought together 14 landowners from the Lower Crab Creek area to learn about available conservation programs and share ideas for improving land management.

On April 2nd, partners from the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) and Aspect Consulting conducted field sampling for the Upper Crab Creek and Rocky Ford Spring Phosphorus Transport Study. Britton Baker (CBCD) and Stephen Bartlett (Aspect) were out in the field gathering data to support this important effort.

Mark your calendars for May 3, 2025, and join us for the FREE Ripple Effect Workshop at the Royal City High School. Learn about Lower Crab Creek, water quality, funding opportunities, and conservation practices that benefit your farm and ranch. This is your chance to share concerns, ask questions, and connect with fellow producers and CBCD staff.

We are excited to announce that another significant milestone has been reached for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP). The second OGWRP system, known as EL 86.4, is now receiving surface water through the Columbia Basin Project.

The data collected through the Columbia Basin Conservation District's (CBCD) Groundwater Monitoring Program serves as a critical tool for assessing and informing the implementation of local conservation efforts and sustainable water use in the basin.