Aaron Dalling.
Fremont Madison Irrigation District: Helping Manage Idaho’s Rivers and Aquifer
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remont Madison Irrigation District (FMID) serves 285,000 acres of land in Eastern Idaho, and is also responsible for groundwater recharge and surface water management in its area. In this interview, Irrigation Leader’s editor-in-chief, Kris Polly, speaks with Aaron Dalling, the executive director of Fremont Madison Irrigation District, about his district’s role in managing the region’s rivers, recharging the aquifer, and delivering water to agricultural users.
Aaron Dalling: I grew up on a small farm just outside of St. Anthony, Idaho, where our office is located; we grew wheat, barley, and alfalfa and raised cattle. I went to school at Brigham Young University–Idaho and obtained a degree in agricultural science and natural resources. I then worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for 12 years in both Idaho and Utah. In January of 2017, I was hired by Fremont Madison Irrigation District as the assistant executive director. I shadowed Dale Swensen for a year, and then took over as executive director when he
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Kris Polly: How many years did Dale Swensen spend at the district? Aaron Dalling: He was with the district for a full 40 years. He started in January 1978 and retired in January 2018. Kris Polly: Please describe the district and its service area. Aaron Dalling: Fremont Madison Irrigation District was established in 1935 in order to contract with the Bureau of Reclamation to build storage reservoirs in the Henrys Fork of the Snake River watershed. Our total service area is approximately 285,000 acres. It covers parts of 3 counties. The main cash crop is potatoes, followed by wheat, barley, and alfalfa. Kris Polly: Where does your water come from? IRRIGATION LEADER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FREMONT MADISON IRRIGATION DISTRICT.
Kris Polly: Please tell us tell us about your background.
retired. I learned a lot from Dale. People often commented on how good he was at working through conflicts. He had a calming presence and was able to talk people through issues.
