Water delivery season is winding down, with canal shutdowns beginning late July through early August. No signs of golden mussels were observed on monitoring plates during a July 13 field review with Dudek, and staff is considering budget items for preventative chemical treatment systems. The audit for the year ended 12/31/2025 received a clean opinion, with total net position up ~$3.3 million (about $1.1 million higher than the prior year); the board formally accepted the report.
The board approved a just-under-$80K Dudek golden mussel vulnerability assessment to guide preventative actions. The shop building project stalled after no action was taken on a requested change order; staff expects the project will go back out to bid. River inflows are near 1,000 CFS; canal shutdowns are projected mid/late July (Stine) and mid/late August (Peaky & Farmers).
Staff reported a 61% April–July runoff forecast, low snowpack, and issued a proration letter with estimated amounts by service area. District storage accounts are very close to caps (with Stine and Farmers over cap), so BV/Stine/Farmers canals are running now to draw down ahead of summer. Staff does not anticipate near-term banking activity with Metropolitan Water District
Board approved 2026 special assessments maintaining rates unchanged since 1997, with general administrative assessment at $4.34 per acre. A contract for $381,851.86 was approved to install traveling water screens at DiGiorgio Weir to improve water quality and reduce debris issues. The district is experiencing a strong water year start with Isabella Lake at 126% of historical average storage and above-average precipitation across monitoring stations.
The district is extending canal operations beyond the typical season due to continued water demand and favorable conditions. A major $352,750 traveling screen installation project at DiGiorgio Weir received committee approval to improve water quality, following successful implementation on another canal. Two significant development crossing projects face delays due to outstanding financial documentation and bonding requirements...
