TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT\/KSVT) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
The company reduced water deliveries from five-eighths of an inch per acre to half an inch per acre.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d said Jay Barlogi, General Manager of the Twin Falls Canal Company.<\/p>\n
Barlogi said the region never saw a true winter this year, leaving reservoirs far below normal levels and the Snake River\u2019s flow at a historic low.<\/p>\n
The reservoir system generally holds 235,000 acre feet of water, but that is not the case this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reservoir system is not going to fill this year, which is going to affect all of us, we\u2019re 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,\u201d Barlogi said.<\/p>\n
Barlogi said many farmers prepared for the shortages by planting fewer water-intensive crops, but the season will still be difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n