A Publication for Turlock Irrigation District Irrigation Water Users
the Grower
Vol. 28 • No. 1 | August 2016
TID Extends Irrigation Season to Benefit Growers
Sun., October 30 Last day to place irrigation orders
In an effort to accommodate growers with varying needs, Turlock Irrigation District has adjusted the end of the irrigation season from October 19 to November 2, 2016.
Wed., November 2 Final day of irrigation season Throughout November Water Use Statements mailed Tues., December 20 Water transfers must be completed
This additional time will allow growers to apply a final irrigation after harvest. According to the UC Davis Drought Management Website, almonds in early harvest districts, and especially early varieties, can benefit from a final late irrigation due to more of the high water use season remaining post-harvest. This late irrigation can help to reduce stress, especially in times of deficit irrigation. (For details and the full article, visit ucmanagedrought.ucdavis. edu/Agriculture/Crop_ Irrigation_Strategies). The TID Board of Directors, in setting the 2016 Irrigation Season and the amount of available water, authorized staff to make adjustments to the start and end dates of the season based on customer needs. In speaking with
Important Dates
Have Issues? customers and monitoring water usage patterns throughout the District, the TID staff made the season adjustment.
regarding the new dates or, any other issue relating to irrigation, call the Water Call Center at (209) 883-8456 or contact your WDO.
View this issue and past issues of The Grower online at www.tid.org/ news-resources/ publications
The final day to place water orders has also been extended by two weeks to Sunday, October 30.
TID uses a combination of surface and groundwater to supply growers. This strategy, known as conjunctive use, is vital to maintaining a stable water supply.
TID sends out e-mails to growers. E-mail us at info@tid.org if you would like to sign up
Although the season has been extended by two weeks, there is no increase in the amount of available water. That amount remains at 36 inches per acre as set forth by the original board action at the beginning of the Irrigation Season. If you have any questions
TID encourages all growers to use the available surface water from TID in order to minimize pumping. After four years of drought, using surface water will help the groundwater levels so we can continue to use it when needed.
E-mail Sign-up
Inside • Lateral 8 project complete • SED update • 2017 billing reminder • SBx7-7 audits taking place
ONLINE ORDERING REMINDER - When ordering water online, you will always receive a confirmation e-mail from TID if your online order was successfully placed. If you do not receive one of these e-mails within minutes of placing the order, go back and place the order again or call (209) 883-8456 for assistance.
Lateral 8 Expansion Highlights Water Saving Efforts The expansion of the Lateral 8 Regulating Reservoir has been completed on time and under budget, utilizing TID staff. The Lateral 8 Regulating Reservoir Expansion project, coupled with the existing Lateral 8 Total Channel Control project, has increased TID water savings and improved customer service for irrigators downstream. The potential water savings, based on historic records, is estimated to be 9,000 acre-feet in an average year. Due to its size, the new reservoir has the ability to provide entire irrigations in addition to fluctuation control. The reservoir allows TID to maintain more constant irrigation flows and shorter wait times below the reservoir. The reservoir works in concert with the Lateral 8 Total Channel Control system to capture operational water fluctuations in the Highline Canal and stores the water in the basin until it reaches a usable amount. These operational fluctuations would otherwise be lost to the Merced River as operational spill. The reservoir is capable of storing 130 acre-feet of water. In the wake of increasing water demands and regulatory requirements, the Lateral 8 Regulating Reservoir and
Lateral 8 Total Channel Control projects are just two examples of the proactive steps that TID is taking to effectively manage our water resources. The District continues to examine the feasibility of these water savings projects throughout our canal system. Lateral 8 Regulating Reservoir By The Numbers: • 25.5 acre footprint • 130 acre-feet storage capacity • 4 distribution pumps - 1 intake and 3 discharge • Primarily gravity fed from the Highline Canal • Pumped discharges to Lateral 7 and Lateral 8 • 11,983 acres served downstream
SED and its Harmful Effects Looming From State Board The State of California is reportedly close to releasing the long anticipated Substitute Environmental Document (SED) which is being developed for Phase 1 of the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. This proposal, which disregards the water rights of local irrigation districts, would force TID to dedicate significant additional water releases from Don Pedro into the Tuolumne River from February 1 to June 30 annually for fish and wildlife beneficial uses and salinity control. This proposal could lead to what the State has described as “Significant but unavoidable impacts” to the region’s economy and way of life. Those impacts include, farm-gate revenue losses, labor income losses, potential reductions in property values and lost jobs, just to name a few. A reliable supply of surface water brings value to the community, including community sustainability, ag production, ag processing, ag-related business, economic base, groundwater recharge and affordable water. For example, the Don Pedro Project supports approximately $4.109 billion in output, $734.8 million in labor income, and 18,900 jobs. (2014 Socioeconomic Study) While we support the State Water Resources Control Board’s objectives for better water quality in the Delta and a healthy salmon fishery, we don’t agree that increased river flows are the sole solution or that the San Joaquin River tributaries should be responsible for fixing California’s water problems. Our region has never faced a challenge of this proportion. This water grab has the potential to impact our region’s way of life today and for future generations. We’ll eventually ask you to make your voices heard by joining with us in opposition to the State’s attempt to take away your water. Please check our website at tid.org/sed for updates and ways to get involved.
SBx7-7 Measurements Still Being Conducted In an ongoing effort to comply with the provisions of the California State Law known as SBx7-7, TID employees will be conducting measurement audits of equipment to ensure its accuracy. You might notice TID personnel or, contractors taking these measurement audits during your irrigation.
Reminder for Customers Using Multiple Side-gates and Parcels • Any time a side-gate is opened it must have an order placed for that specific side-gate every time it’s used. Each parcel needs an order every time as well. • Example: If a parcel uses 3 side-gates to irrigate, there must be 3 orders placed every time on that parcel. Each order would be for the specific side-gate opened and the parcel it serves.
TID contractors should be driving vehicles with door placards indicating they are authorized contractors for TID. If you have any questions or concerns about this work, please contact the Water Call center at (209) 8838456 or your WDO.
2017 Billing Reminder
At the end of the 2016 Irrigation Season you will receive a letter showing the following information: • Your historical billing amount (water) • The amount of water you used in 2016 • The amount you have typically been paying • The amount you would have paid based on the new measurements
A few rule reminders to ensure efficient operations From time to time, it is important for the District to remind growers and others working near District canals and facilities regarding a few selected rules set forth in TID’s Irrigation Rules.
shall be constructed or placed in any District conduit until an application in writing has been made to the TID Board of Directors and permission granted therefore.” Growers are not allowed to place structures in TID canals, facilities, easements or rights-of-way without written permission.
TID’s Irrigation Rules exist pursuant to Water Code Section 22257 to ensure the orderly, efficient, and equitable distribution, use and conservation of water The District endeavors to deliver resources of the District. irrigation water in a flexible, timely manner consistent with the physical and While it may seem that some of these rules operational limits of the delivery system are more serious than others, they are facilities. But in order to do this, TID needs designed to allow the District to continue to be able to conduct water distribution to meet the needs of all growers that rely operations and maintenance in a manner on District irrigation water. free of obstructions. Irrigation Rule 2.4.1 states:“No diverting gates, weirs, structures, or pump intakes
A full copy of TID’s Irrigation Rules is available online at tid.org/water/irrigation.
Water Distribution Operators also have copies available for growers. TID thanks you for your continued compliance.
SB 854 and You SB 854 affects the way TID awards all public works projects, including every contractor and subcontractor performing work. This includes work performed by customers utilizing District funds for reimbursement. If you’re contracting for work to be performed on your property and then requesting reimbursement from TID, you must comply with the provisions of SB 854 to receive reimbursement. For details about SB 854, visit tid.org/SB854.
Calling all growers: important off-season notices •
Growers planning to convert to drip/micro/sprinkler irrigation (i.e. land conversion), need to contact TID prior to performing any work so TID can verify a non-standard head can be delivered. Systems installed without prior approval may be denied water if the configuration is not compatible with the District’s infrastructure and operations. Please keep in mind that this type of conversion can negatively impact groundwater recharge in your area.
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Growers intending to use TID canals and laterals or Improvement District facilities for irrigation purposes during the off-season must contact the Water Distribution Department (883-8356) to coordinate the use.
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Growers shall not plant or place trees, vines, shrubs, fences, or any other type of encroachment in, on, or over any District or improvement district conduit or any District right-of-way unless the District has given specific written approval for such encroachment (Irrigation Rule 2.3.1). Please contact TID prior to placing encroachments in the District’s rights-ofway. If in doubt, TID can also help to identify and mark the right-of-way, often at no cost to the grower.
the Grower | August 2016
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 415 STOCKTON, CA
333 East Canal Drive P.O. Box 949 Turlock, CA 95381 (209) 883-8300
ONLINE ORDERING REMINDER When ordering water online, you will always receive a confirmation e-mail from TID if your online order was successfully placed. If you do not receive one of these e-mails within minutes of placing the order, go back and place the order again or call (209) 883-8456 for assistance.
Water Statistics Don Pedro Elevation on 8-1-2016
780.0 feet
Don Pedro Elevation on 8-1-2015
681.7 feet
Average total outflow from Don Pedro 4-1 to 8-1-2016 Average flow to TID canal 4-1 to 8-1-2016
1,952 cfs 1,161 cfs
Visit tid.org/drought for drought resources, water reports and updates Visit tid.org/weather for up-to-the-minute forecasts