I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some of our ongoing projects and programs:

All-American Canal – Progress continues. The project is to concrete line a 23-mile section of the AAC to conserve water. Construction bids have been awarded and the Notice to Proceed is expected to occur by the end of June 2006. Mobilization is expected in July. Construction should begin in August. Completion is expected by March 30, 2009. The canal is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and is operated and maintained by the IID. The canal-lining-project funding is being supplied by the California Department of Water Resources and the San Diego County Water Authority. 

Fallowing – IID began its fourth fallowing program on July 1, 2006. The district solicited proposals in March for the new program, which runs through June 30, 2007. About 79,000 acre-feet of conserved water, generated through fallowing, is expected to be needed for 2006; 94,000 acre-feet is estimated for 2007. Fallowing is considered one method of water conservation – necessary at this time, but scheduled to be phased out no later than 2018, to meet the current needs of the Quantification Settlement Agreement and related water transfers to protect Imperial Valley’s water rights. 

Definite Plan – The goal of the Definite Plan is to determine efficiency conservation projects and on-farm projects necessary to satisfy the schedule for conserved water delivery for the SDCWA/IID water conservation and transfer program. While IID remains in control of its water rights, the district’s role is to improve an already efficient water delivery system and work with growers to generate up to 303,000 acre-feet of conserved water a year through system and on-farm conservation projects. 

This is a monumental task. The IID has been working with growers, land owners, and staff in the development of the Definite Plan. The work involves investigating efficient farming practices, reviewing irrigation practices, investing in system-wide improvements, and a slew of related issues. Through the work of the district, the public, and our customers, the plan is under construction. But a lot of work remains. We’re hoping to be able to present the plan to the board of directors in early 2007. Your help has been, and continues to be, extremely critical and very much appreciated. 

WMS – Phase II of the new Water Management System is nearing completion. The new system will allow for better coordination of the various offices (division, water control, Imperial Dam, etc.) on the ordering and scheduling of water. This innovative approach (which moves multiple facts, figures, and complex canal and hydrographic data from paper to computer) will give the district better control of water dispatching duties associated with the main canals and lateral headings, allowing the IID to schedule and manage water more efficiently. 

These are just a few of the projects being undertaken by the IID Water Department at this time. I hope that this new Web site will be more effective in assimilating and distributing information to our customers. Any suggestions for improvement are welcome as the IID strives for continual improvement to meet customer needs. 

Thank you for visiting. Please keep in touch and check back often.   

Michael L. King,
Manager, IID Water Department
6/26/2006