Serving Idaho Since 1904

For Media Information Contact:

John Anderson (208) 466-0663

Nampa , Idaho

Sept. 29, 2008

CANAL FLOWS TO END THURSDAY

                Water mangers with the Treasure Valley ’s largest irrigation district will shut off

Boise River water flows to more than 500 miles of the Ridenbaugh and lateral canals on

Thursday (Oct. 2), the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District announced today.

                The water cut off marks the end of the annual surface water irrigation season for

the 69,000 acres of farmland and 329 residential subdivisions in the valley with pressurized

urban irrigation systems served by the District.

                NMID Water Superintendent John Anderson said the District has been able to

provide full irrigation supplies since canal flows began last April.   Anderson said NMID

ended the irrigation with water left in storage in Boise River reservoirs as carryover for the

2009 irrigation season but it will be some time until the actual amount of carryover water is

calculated. Carryover water helps the District cope with irrigation demands when snowpack

levels are below normal.

                “The carryover will go towards next year’s irrigation and it is largely a result of

great water management and conservation efforts by our farmers and residents,” Anderson

said.

                The water cutoff means residential water users with pressurized urban irrigation

systems managed by the District will need to switch to another water source such as a

municipal system if they want to continue to irrigate lawns and landscaping.

                Anderson said it could take up to two days before canal levels begin to drop in the

furthermost reaches of the NMID system.  The entire system should be nearly empty in three

to four days after the water is shut at the District’s river diversion facility located at the start

of the Ridenbaugh Canal near Barber Park .

                The end of Boise River irrigation water deliveries by the District comes about at its

typical normal point on the fall calendar. In 2007 Nampa & Meridian shut off canal water on

September 1.

                Since 1904 NMID has delivered water via its canals and pressurized irrigation

systems to farmers, homes and commercial properties in Ada and Canyon country. For more

information contact the District Office at 466-7861 or visit the District’s web site at: 

www.nmid.org

 

Canal Flows To End Thursday