Irrigation season for Turlock Irrigation District customers will be extended by 11 days to Oct. 31, the district announced Tuesday.

TID Director Joe Alamo initially inquired about extending the season, noting that growers may need the extra few weeks of water to make up for slow-growing crops this summer and that the district has enough water to offer more irrigation days.

The district has currently used 29,000 fewer acre-feet of water than projected this season, due to the moderate weather. Extending the season is expected to consume an additional 16,000 to 25,000 acre-feet of water, depending on weather, which would still see the District use less irrigation water than initially projected for 2010.

Currently, the final day to place water orders will be Oct. 28. At 7 a.m. on Nov. 1, TID staff will begin shutting the water gates at Turlock Lake, signaling the close of the 2010 irrigation season.

The extended irrigation season is subject to change, based on weather conditions. If temperatures drop and rain begins falling – reducing grower interest in irrigation – the district will likely close the season earlier.

For more information, or to place an order for irrigation water, contact the TID call center at 883-8456.

To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.