As the largest irrigation district in the United States, with water flowing 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a delivery system established over a century ago, it takes a lot of planning, precise coordination, and good ol’ sweat equity to keep things running smoothly.

Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID’s) devoted team of more than 300 Water Department employees who work in the field – including everyone from construction workers, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, zanjeros, water patrolmen, and water coordinators – proudly perform some of the District’s most essential jobs, often under severe weather conditions, in support of Imperial Valley’s residents, industries and one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country.

“To say the least, we are so very proud of the dedication and expertise demonstrated by all of our crews who make sure the water gets to where it needs to be, while we also work to maintain and improve our aging delivery system,” said Mike Pacheco, Water Department Manager. “It’s quite a task, but one that each crew member takes on, with the understanding that they really do make a difference. They all know just how important their role is.”

In 2025, Water Department staff took a team approach to several key projects aimed at improving water delivery service, enhancing efficiency, reducing future operations and maintenance costs, and paving the way for development.

Among the work was the installation of a new water control structure (referred to as a “check”) on the Dahlia Canal, a major waterway adjacent to La Brucherie Road within the City of El Centro, just south of Villa Avenue. The project, initiated and completed in June, was necessary to improve the efficiency of water delivery.

Earlier work along the Dahlia involved removing the existing concrete lining and installing a 60-inch-diameter pipe between Treshill and West Aten roads in Imperial for a road-widening project. Through the pipeline, the District continues to deliver water that irrigates approximately 1,630 acres of farmland.

Other projects include improved water delivery service and reduced operation and maintenance costs associated with erosion control and sediment removal achieved by pipelining a section of the Thistle Lateral 8, located west of Brawley. This provides for the irrigation of 400 acres of farmland.

Always a conscientious water steward, the District continues its regular efforts to conserve through system conservation projects, such as the concrete lining of seven canals in 2025, promoting water savings and reducing maintenance costs.

None of the work that the Water Department does would be possible without the experienced and resolute crew members who daily bring their unwavering loyalty to the jobsite. The District employs 65 construction workers, leaders and foremen, 48 heavy equipment operators, 14 equipment and maintenance mechanics, 129 zanjeros, 14 water patrolmen, 25 water dispatchers, and 17 water division coordinators.

IID manages the delivery of about 2.6 million acre-feet of water annually to the Imperial Valley, shared by six cities and four smaller and unincorporated areas, businesses and industry, and nearly one-half million acres of productive farmland in support of the nation’s food supply.

Between 2003 and 2025, IID has conserved over 9 million acre-feet of water in support of the Colorado River and Southern California.

IID Water Department construction crews work to install an underground pipeline.