The 2026 Deficit Irrigation Program (DIP) was reported as starting June 2, targeting ~225,000 acre-feet of conservation with peak fallowing of ~120,000 acres around August 1. An agricultural drought workshop is scheduled for June 15–16 to brief growers on Colorado River conditions. Staff reported that Reclamation published its final 2026 decree accounting, showing IID's total conservation at 726,000 acre-feet, with the on-farm program reaching its second-highest total ever.
The board approved adding 100,000 acre-feet under Amendment No. 1, raising cumulative system conservation from 700,000 to 800,000 acre-feet under the 2024–2026 agreement as Colorado River conditions worsen. IID also released a draft Large Load Tariff for 30-day public comment with key ratepayer protections including interruptible service, long-term contracts, and financial collateral requirements.
2026 snowpack is tracking as the worst or second worst on record; Reclamation is cutting Powell releases by 1.5 million acre-feet, likely accelerating Mead's decline. A short-term lower basin bridge proposal submitted last Friday awaits a federal Record of Decision by late July. Salton Sea exposed playa reached 43,190 acres; dust controls cover ~72% of emissions. The board adopted the final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Red Hill Bay BACM project.
The board approved returning **$48.4M in surplus fuel and purchased power collections** as summer bill credits (~12% reduction). It also approved the 2026 Summer Savings Initiative, expanding efficiency programs including a new Time-of-Use incentive and school HVAC funding. Staff projected Lake Mead could drop ~20 feet despite record conservation efforts.
~714,000 acre-feet of conservation was presented as provisional for 2025, while in-valley agricultural deliveries fell to 2.187 million acre-feet—the lowest in records back to at least 1993. Staff said the April 1 snow survey showed snowpack nearly gone and conditions could rank among the worst years on record. On-farm efficiency generated 196,000+ acre-feet; deficit irrigation also contributed.
