Background

The IID is a community-owned utility that provides irrigation water and electric power to people in the lower southeastern portion of California’s desert. In 1928, the Imperial Dam and the All-American Canal were constructed, and in 1942 the canal became the only water source for Imperial Valley. It is approximately 82 miles long and delivers water from the Imperial Dam on the Colorado River to nine cities and 6,174 agricultural users in the valley. The District maintains an extensive drainage system with ten reservoirs and more than 1,100 miles of concrete lined canals, many of which were constructed over 40 years
ago. The system’s total capacity exceeds 3,300 acre-feet of water.

The IID, its partners in conservation, and member farms have invested hundreds of million dollars over the last 50 years to improve water use efficiency. Conservation measures have included concrete lining of canals and laterals, construction of reservoirs and interceptor canals, implementing canal seepage recovery programs and additional irrigation management measures. Since 1988, the IID has entered into water conservation and transfer agreements with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the San Diego County Water Authority.

The current project is aimed at rehabilitating approximately 23 miles of existing lined canals that have developed cracks. In many locations, the seepage rate in the damaged areas is greater than that of the original unlined canals.

Description

The project consists of repairing cracks along lined canals over a three year period as follows:

1. 6.5 miles of canals and laterals in 2004;
2. 8 miles of canals and laterals in 2005; and
3. 8.5 miles of laterals in 2006

Benefits

Implementing this project will reduce water losses from seepage, as well as help minimize erosion along the canal banks. Water savings from the entire project are estimated at 2,823 acre-feet a year.