Most of us float the Boise River through the city of Boise. It's the most familiar stretch.
But there's another 40 or 50 miles of river from Boise to Parma. It winds through small towns, farmlands and thick riparian zones (brushy areas).
I've hunted ducks on the Lower Boise near Middleton, Notus and Parma, and where it dumps into the Snake River. What an incredible resource.
There are a lot of hidden places along the lower river for bird watching, fishing and canoeing.
Sadly, the Lower Boise River is polluted. But there is a considerable effort being made to clean it up.
Local experts Sherill Doran of the Lower Boise Watershed Council and Scott Koberg, district manager for the Ada Soil & Water Conservation District, will talk about the work to clean up the Boise River at a free community program at 6 p.m., May 20, at the Garden City Hall, 6015 Glenwood St.
Doran brings 16 years of consulting experience evaluating water quality and water resources in the Pacific Northwest. Currently she works with the Watershed Council to reduce pollution of the Boise River. Scott has worked in Ada County for 10 years and has been successful at improving water quality in the Boise River by helping landowners reduce non-point source pollution.
The speakers will explain what pollutants are in the Boise River and where they come from in addition to sharing examples of successful pollution reduction projects. They will also discuss future clean up plans and what the public can do to keep the Boise River clean.
This program is co-sponsored by the Garden City Library and Idaho Rivers United. For more information contact Liz at 343-7481.