The Power Cooperative Weed Management Area (PCWMA)is a cooperative effort to control the introduction of new, invasive species and the spread of existing noxious weeds in Power County and surrounding areas. The Power CWMA is intended to bring together those responsible for weed control in and around Power County to develop common management objectives, facilitate effective integrated weed control and coordinate treatment efforts.
The cooperators will jointly:
- Establish control priorities.
- Develop and implement common inventory and mapping techniques.
- Use an integrated weed management approach to control noxious weeds.
- Coordinate the use of resources and manpower.
- Treat individual weed species/infestations.
- Facilitate an increase in public noxious weed awareness and control.
The Power CWMA comprises approximately 900,000 acres in Power County, located in central southeastern Idaho. American Falls Reservoir is on the north boundary with the Snake River flowing southwest into Cassia County. The area is primarily agricultural with nearly half of the land ownership being private. The urban areas include the cities of American Falls, Rockland and the community of Arbon.
The major weed problems in the Power CWMA are two fold. The actual largest noxious weed acreages are Field Bindweed, Jointed Goatgrass, Canada Thistle and Russian Knapweed. These weeds have been around for many years and have become widespread in some zones. Although desired, eradication is not likely, but they must be controlled and contained to reduce their economic impact and prevent their spread to uninfested areas. There are several other noxious weeds, which are relatively new to Power County and are considered top priorities. These include Dyers Woad, Leafy Spurge, Hoary Cress, Scotch Thistle, Salt Cedar, Oxeye Daisy, Puncturevine, Spotted and Diffuse Knapweed. Dyers Woad and Leafy Spurge are only known to be in several small spots. Prevention and eradication are a must for these weeds because of their ability to spread and their persistence once established. Hoary Cress and Scotch Thistle are two additional invaders that have scattered, light infestations that are being controlled. Both reduce livestock grazing due to competition with desirable forages and degrade wildlife habitat. Because of the potential to spread if left untreated and their invasive characteristics they are an ongoing problem. Spotted Knapweed was brought into Arbon Valley years ago from sheep hauled in from Montana. Diffuse Knapweed is believed to have been brought into the Rockland zone through contaminated CRP seed. Both have spread in CRP fields and pastures and have become an ongoing annual battle to control. Other efforts included monitoring and control of Spotted and Diffuse Knapweeds which are short-lived perennials that produce thousands of seeds from each plant. They also reduce desirable forages, increase erosion and reduce aesthetic value.
County Contact Information
Power County Extension Office
Address: 500 Pocatello Ave.
American Falls, ID 83211
Phone: (208) 226-7621
Fax: (208) 226-7623
Email: power@uidaho.edu
Web Address: http://extension.uidaho.edu/power/
Contact Power County Noxious Weeds Department
REMINDER: This listing is a free service of IdahoLandCAN.
Power County Noxious Weeds Department is not employed by or affiliated with the Idaho Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.
Contact Power County Noxious Weeds Department
Andrea Higgins
Power County Weed Superintendent
500 Pocatello Ave.
American Falls, ID 83211
Phone: 208-226-7627
Fax: 208-226-7623
Service Area
