The ongoing drought in California may have serious impacts on the 2014 irrigation season for Turlock Irrigation District.
According to TID spokesperson Michelle Reimers, staff will provide the Board of Directors with information on Tuesday regarding the measures the district will need to take to get through the upcoming irrigation season.
In previous dry years, the district has opted to place limitations on water use during the irrigation season. In 2012, one of the district's driest years on record, the Board of Directors issued the lowest initial irrigation water allocation and cap in the district's history, which saw a 24-inch per acre allotment and a 30-inch cap. Compare that to just the year prior, when the allotment was double that of 2012, at 48-inches with no cap due to a good rain year.
With the current drought facing California being deemed as perhaps the worst the state has seen in the past four decades, and with nearly 90-percent of the state suffering from severe or extreme drought conditions, it is likely that TID will consider issuing a lower allotment and cap to local farmers, as they attempt to survive the 2014 irrigation season.
Reimers also shared that water staff will provide an analysis on the district's water year, as a domestic water update and a report on dry conditions operations will be presented by Assistant General Manager of Water Resources Tou Her. Her is responsible for several departments within the district including the water distribution department, in addition to overseeing the Don Pedro Recreation Agency.
A rate design workshop presented by Chris Poley and Monique Hampton of the utility analyst-energy resources department is scheduled during Tuesday's meeting, after reconvening from closed session where the Board of Directors will conduct a public employee performance evaluation.
During the meeting, the Board of Directors is expected to:
• Receive weekly electric service, power and water updates;
• Approve the application for the installation of a 12-inch sidegate in the lateral 4.5 canal to serve 9.5 acres of newly planted almond trees;
• Authorize the survey and preparation of charges for the proposed inclusion of a 3.58 acre parcel into the Conley Ditch, allowing the owners of the parcel to use the Conley Ditch to receive irrigation water from the TID Ceres Main Canal;
• Accept the Don Pedro Board of Control report as presented by Director Michael Frantz.
The TID Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the TID Main Office Building, located at 333 E. Canal Drive.