For the second time in recent weeks, the Turlock Irrigation District Board of Directors has opted to postpone the start date for the 2014 irrigation season, pushing back water deliveries to local growers until April 10.

Although the decision is the result of much-needed continued precipitation levels, TID staff shared that recent storms and received amounts of rainwater will not change the historically-low 20-inch water allotments that were agreed upon by the Board of Directors earlier this year.

In addition to the 20-inch cap, growers can still receive an extra 4 inches if needed to complete their final irrigation, keeping in-line with TID’s customary “soft cap” practice despite the District being in a drought state-of-condition.

While the start of the irrigation season was originally set for March 27 before being first pushed back to April 3 due to rainstorms, TID staff shared that even the newly established April 10 date could be delayed yet another week depending on the District’s forecasts. 

Despite the few recent delays in beginning water deliveries, the season is still scheduled to end on Oct. 8. However, TID spokesperson Calvin Curtin says that could be subject to change as well, as TID’s Water Distribution Department Manager Mike Kavarian may adjust the end of the season as necessary, depending on weather or crop requirements.

The Water Distribution Department will begin accepting orders for water on April 9 with deliveries scheduled for April 10, unless another delay until April 17 is determined as necessary. To order irrigation water beginning April 9, call the TID Water Call Center at 883-8456.