About the Tours Program

The Imperial Irrigation District Tour Program offers immersive, educational experiences that take guests behind the scenes of the District’s operations, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. Through presentations, site visits, and guided discussions, guests gain a unique perspective on the District’s role in delivering water and power, essential for life and progress for the communities we serve.

Colorado River Tour

Follow the path of the Colorado River and the All-American Canal as water flows to the Imperial Valley. Explore how the District manages river operations, conserves water, and generates renewable hydropower through a vast network of a dam, canals, reservoirs, and hydroelectric plants.

Full Day: Brock Reservoir, Hydroelectric Drops 1 & 2, Laguna Dam, Imperial Dam, Pilot Knob Hydroelectric Plant, Hydroelectric Drop 4, East Highline Hydroelectric Plant & Future Reservoir Site

Water & Agriculture Tours

See firsthand the infrastructure that delivers water to nearly 500,000 acres of farmland. Learn how the District’s delivery and drainage system supports farming and conservation of water and wildlife.

Half Day: Sperber Reservoir, Peach–Plum Lateral Intertie, Local Farmer or UC Desert Research & Extension Center, Holtville Wetlands

Northend Full Day: Doc’s Organics, Trifolium Lateral Interceptor, Louise K. Willey Reservoir, Lloyd Allen Reservoir, Managed Marsh, Shank Alamo River Wetlands

Southend Full Day: Hydroelectric Drop 4, East Highline Hydroelectric Plant & Future Reservoir Site, Zanjero Demonstration at Delivery Gate 18 (Mesa Lateral 3), UC Desert Research & Extension Center, Sperber Reservoir, Fish Farm

Power Tours

Step inside the operations of California's third-largest public power provider. From geothermal and solar generation to peaker plants and substations, see how the District keeps energy flowing to homes, farms, and businesses across the Imperial and Coachella Valleys.

Imperial Valley (Half Day): Niland Gas Turbine Plant/Solar Plant, Niland Substation, Calipatria Switching Station

Imperial Valley (Full Day): Cyrq Energy Hudson Ranch, Calipatria Switching Station, Rockwood Peaker Plant, El Centro Generating Station, Pole Yard

Coachella Valley (Half Day): Avenue 58 Substation & Pole Yard, Coachella Valley Gas Turbine & Switching Station, Coachella Valley Substation, Avenue 42 Substation, Ramon Substation

Water & Power Tours

Discover the unique connection between IID’s water and power systems. From moving Colorado River water through canals and reservoirs to generating hydropower, these tours highlight how both operations work hand in hand for the communities we serve.

Half Day: Hydroelectric Drop 4, Zanjero Demonstration at Delivery Gate 18 (Mesa Lateral 3), El Centro Generating Station & Battery Energy Storage System, Fish Farm

Full Day: Brock Reservoir, Hydroelectric Drops 1 & 2, Imperial Dam, Hydroelectric Drop 4, El Centro Generating Station & Battery Energy Storage System, Terminal Substation

Environmental Tours

Experience the District’s stewardship of natural resources through projects that restore habitats, protect wildlife, and address unique challenges and opportunities at the Salton Sea.

Half Day: Species Conservation Habitat Project, Mudpots, Managed Marsh, Shank Alamo River Wetlands

Full Day: Imperial New River Wetlands, Species Conservation Habitat Project, Mudpots, Cyrq Energy Hudson Ranch, Managed Marsh

Questions?

Contact Stella Jimenez, Senior Public Affairs Coordinator at mejimenez@iid.com.