TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Twin Falls Canal Company has reduced water deliveries to as ongoing drought conditions and a historically low snowpack create challenges for water users across southern Idaho.
The company reduced water deliveries from five-eighths of an inch per acre to half an inch per acre.
“We normally deliver three-quarters of an inch per acre on good water years. So this is one-third less water that these folks have got to raise their crops out there now,” said Jay Barlogi, General Manager of the Twin Falls Canal Company.
Barlogi said the region never saw a true winter this year, leaving reservoirs far below normal levels and the Snake River’s flow at a historic low.
The reservoir system generally holds 235,000 acre feet of water, but that is not the case this year.
“The reservoir system is not going to fill this year, which is going to affect all of us, we’re looking at 200,000 acre foot of water. You know, about 15% less water in our storage system. But that only constitutes about 20% of our water right,” Barlogi said.
Barlogi said many farmers prepared for the shortages by planting fewer water-intensive crops, but the season will still be difficult.
“They’re going to have to juggle two-thirds of their normal water supply around their farm to make sure that they can keep everything wet and finish their crops,” he said.
The City of Twin Falls is urging residents connected to pressurized irrigation systems to follow the water conservation schedule. Even-numbered addresses should water on even-numbered dates while odd-numbered addresses should water on odd-numbered dates.
“We hope that things improve, but we can’t make decisions based on hope,” Barlogi said. “We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”
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