The Laboratory has operated under different names, such as Snake River Conservation Research Laboratory, and Soil and Water Research until its current name was designated in 1995 to more nearly portray its mission and area served. The Laboratory is located on the fertile irrigated lands of south central Idaho, near the town of Kimberly. The Laboratory not only serves the Northwest, but also serves needs of irrigated agriculture throughout the United States. In 1990 the purchase of a 74 acre farm, located about 3 miles south of Headquarters, was consummated for expanded field research needs.
Additional research is conducted on cooperators' farms.
Promote sustainable and economically viable irrigated agricultural systems in harmony with social and environmental needs. The mission of the Laboratory is to develop environmentally compatible and economically sustainable new and improved integrated water, soil, plant nutrient, and crop management practices for irrigated agriculture in the United States. Develop applicable drip and surface irrigation methods and adapt to cropping systems. Describe irrigation-erosion relationships and develop management practices. Develop appropriate conservation tillage systems for irrigated agriculture.