Serving Idaho Since 1904

News Release Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District

1503 First Street South , Nampa , Idaho 83651

Tel: (208) 466-7861 -- Fax: (208) 463-0092

Serving The Treasure Valley Since 1904

 

NAMPA & MERIDIAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT TO FILL CANALS BEGINNING MONDAY

                Water managers with the Treasure Valley ’s largest irrigation district will open Boise

River headgates early Monday morning (March 31) to fill more than 500 miles of canals in the

District’s system,  the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District announced today.

                Water will be turned in to the Ridenbaugh Canal at about 3 a.m. Monday at the

District’s Boise River diversion near Barber Park . As the Ridenbaugh Canal fills, smaller

lateral canals will also begin to flow with water. It will take several days before the District's

canals are completely full of water, especially in the furthermost reaches of the system,

according to District Water Superintendent, John Anderson .

                NMID officials see 2008 as a  normal irrigation year with water supplies lasting until

early fall due to normal snowpack figures in the mountains.  Still,  John Anderson says he will

closely monitor snowpack runoff,  reservoir water levels, spring precipitation levels and

temperatures as the water year unfolds.

                Last year water was turned in to the NMID system on April 2.  The canals will carry

water until about the first week of October using irrigation water stored in Boise River system

reservoirs to supplement natural river flows during the summer months.

                NMID officials also issued strong safety warnings about the danger of canals.

“Canals are inherently deadly for children and young people. The water is deep and cold and

it flows at a fast rate of speed and are almost impossible to get out of if you fall in,” Anderson

said.  District officials also caution that canals are private property so playing in a canal or

along its banks is considered trespassing under Idaho law.

                NMID delivers irrigation water to 69,000 acres of Treasure Valley land including

pressurized irrigation to more than 14,800 residential and commercial lots including 329

residential subdivisions.  For information about the District call 466-7861 .  Information is also

available on its Internet website:  www.nmid.org.

 

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