Fiscal Year 2003: Performance Report U.S. Department of Agricultire Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Reducing Flood Risks for an Alaska Village Every year, autumn storms bring high seas that contribute to flooding prob- lems that affect the Native Alaskan Unalakleet Village. The village turned to NRCS for help in understanding flood elevations and developing solu- tions that would mitigate flooding risks. NRCS staff in Alaska and experts from NRCS's National Water Management Center completed a detailed floodplain study for the Village. The study provided an overview of the situation and provided a basis for implementing solutions. The Village Environmental Coordinator reports that the plan showed the com- munity the risks from flooding and the benefits of various flood control proj- ects, enabling the Village to complete long range plans that will protect their resources. address flooding concerns and water sup- ply concerns (Table 5.) Over the next few years, an increasingly urgent concern will be sustaining flood damage reduction in watersheds where floodwater- retarding structures are near the end of their design life. There are also watersheds where rapid development has created a need for modi- fication of a floodwater retarding struc- ture. NRCS is helping communities to plan and install watershed infrastructure rehabilitation projects to ensure contin- ued safety of lives and property in these watersheds. Accurate information on water supply and reliable predictions of future supplies are essential for effective management of water resources. People in every watershed need good information and watershed - level plans to meet the diverse needs of the people and ecosystems in the water- shed. Accurate and timely information is especially important to derive the greatest benefits from the limited water supplies of the and West. NRCS monitors snowpack and snowmelt to provide forecasts of annual water supply. The forecasts are used by farmers and by the managers of reservoirs that store and supply water for irrigation, power generation, homes, cities, and industries. Irrigated agriculture makes a signifi- cant contribution to the U.S. farm econ- omy— nearly 40 percent of total crop sales come from irrigated acreage, which accounts for only about 15 percent of all cropland. Inadequate management of irri- gation water can increase irrigation costs and degrade soil and water resources. Improvements in irrigation water man- agement can help maintain the viability of the irrigated agricultural sector, and pro- tect and improve soil and water quality (Figure 9). For future years, we will set performance goals in terms of water con- served rather than acres with improved management. NRCS's assistance in FY 2003 resulted in conserving an estimated 5.8 million acre - inches of water. An acre - inch is the amount of water needed to cover an acre of land with a layer of water one -inch deep. Water conservation is only one of the benefits of improved irrigation - water management. Others include reduc- tions in irrigation- induced erosion, soluble salts delivered to ground and sur- face waters, and vulnerability to drought. Table 5. Key measures of success in reducing risks from flooding and drought in FY 2003. Performance Goals Performance Indicators FY2003 FY2003 Target Actual Reduce risks from flooding Watershed infrastructure 17 16 and drought rehabilitation plans developed, (number) Conservation applied to address 6.13 8.99 water supply concerns, (million acres) Water supply forecasts issued, 11,427 11,427 (number) Irrigated cropland where 1.48 1.86 irrigation water management was improved, (million acres) 12 Fiscal Year 2003 Performance Report