Freezout Lake EQIP Special Initiative Fact Sheet

Freezout Lake Initiative Summary

The Freezout Lake initiative will help address the water quality and quantity entering the lake and downstream water bodies including the Teton River. The initiative will help reduce the salinity, nutrients, and sediment levels in the lake by improving irrigation efficiency and providing off-site livestock water.

Many individuals, groups, and agencies are cooperating in this effort that will have a direct impact on water quality and wildlife habitat in the area. Some of the partners include:

• Local landowners
• Greenfields Irrigation District
• Teton Conservation District
• Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area
• Sun River Watershed Council
• The Natural Resources Conservation Service

Freezout Lake Overview

Freezout Lake is located in southeastern Teton County near Fairfield. It is a 12,000-acre wildlife management area managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for upland game birds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. In this diverse area where the plains meet the mountains, more than 200 different bird species and over one million birds use the area annually. Freezout Lake has been named one of the top 10 destinations for birders in North America, and the National Audubon Society considers Freezout as one of the most important bird areas within the United States.

Snow geese numbers can reach near 100,000 while using Freezout as a layover area during spring and fall migrations. Although snow geese are the most abundant species, Freezout also is important for many other species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors including state species of special concern such as American White Pelican, Franklin’s Gull, Sprague’s Pipit, and Black, Common, and Forster’s tern.

The outstanding species composition and abundance provides countless hours of outdoor recreation for birders and sportsmen alike. Freezout provides an excellent location for an outdoor classroom not only to teach species identification, but also to aid in understanding of ecological concepts of how many environmental factors work together to affect wildlife habitat.

Freezout Lake Project

Project goals include:

1. Increase the amount of water entering the lake.
2. Reduce the salinity of the water entering the lake.
3. Improve habitat for wildlife in the lake and surrounding areas.

The Freezout Lake Irrigation special initiative addresses the agricultural effect on the lake and its wildlife habitat directly.

Increases in irrigation efficiency by converting from flood to sprinkler irrigation will increase water quality and quantity to the lake. This corresponding reduction of saline deposits to the lake will significantly improve the quality of wildlife habitat.

NRCS has obligated nearly $850,000 to the Freezout Lake special initiative, which encompasses over 4,000 acres of cropland and grazing land. Funded work will include:

• Over 1,200 acres of nutrient management
• Planting nearly 21,000 trees
• Converting 981 acres of land from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation
• Lining over 27,000 feet of irrigation canals
• Providing one additional well and three watering tanks servicing more than 600 acres of grazing land

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Freezout Lake EQIP Special Initiative (PDF; 298 KB)

Last Modified: 01/29/2009