MID details water offer

Madera Irrigation District is accepting Crop Water Applications and water orders as part of its groundwater recharge efforts earlier this month.

“It has been challenging over the last few years to manage severe drought conditions, the district recognizes the need to capture and use as much surface water as possible when it is present. The district is currently routing surface water for recharge purposes into newly rehabilitated basins and is promoting the use of surface water on lands within the district to prevent the loss of the water,” said MID General Manager Thomas Greci.

The hope is to mitigate overdraft of local groundwater by capturing and using as much surface water as possible while it is available, he said.

A week ago, Madera Irrigation District began receiving water from Millerton Lake (Friant Dam) and Hensley Lake (Hidden Dam) to ease the chance of flooding and begin its recharge efforts. MID’s Board of Directors voted Tuesday to allow district landowners to take surface water at no charge through Jan. 20. After that date, the rate will be set at a reduced price of $40 per acre foot for original district landowners and $80 per acre foot for subordinate landowners.

“MID’s Board of Directors encourages all district landowners to take advantage of this opportunity,” said MID Board President Jim Erickson, who said the reduced price was an acknowledgement of the water challenges landowners have faced in recent years and to promote using “this very valuable resource while it is available.”

The district asks growers to take advantage of the surface water while they can now as the extent of its availability is unknown.To sign up or to order water, contact the office, 673-3514 or 12152 Road 28 1/4.