March demand surged (highest March flow in 18 years) and may stay strong in April. Snowpack is ~30% of normal; Corps concurrence allowed Don Pedro flood-space encroachment with no flood-control releases. Series Main TCC pilot cut spills sharply (88% same-day orders; 96% customer-placed online). Board unanimously approved the consent calendar and extended the Don Pedro Operating Agreement 3 years.
Snowpack is 29% of average and April–July runoff is well below normal; the Board discussed potentially bringing replenishment-water discussion earlier than June (possibly May). Irrigation planning uses 542,000 AF from Don Pedro. The Board approved a 130 MW solar + 260 MWh battery interconnection; staff said interconnection costs are ~$7M paid by Hondeville.
Hydrology staff reported snowpack near 50% of normal with peak runoff shifting into March, prompting coordination with the Army Corps on possible flood-space encroachment to retain additional water. With Director Macedo absent, the Board adopted the updated 2025 Agricultural Water Management Plan and the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan by 4-0 votes.
The board approved the 2026 irrigation season at 48 inches per acre, running March 12 through October 28, with water orders opening March 11. Under the existing multi-year rate schedule, the Tier 1 volumetric rate is now $3.23/acre-foot for the first 48 inches (year two), and replenishment water above that is available at $20/acre-foot. Out-of-district replenishment water within the groundwater subbasin was also approved at $50/acre-foot.
The 2026 irrigation season is set to begin March 12 with a full 48-inch allocation and no cap for in-district growers, with water ordering opening March 11. Hydrology conditions are strong, with significant precipitation forecast to bring snowpack to near-average levels. Staff also reported the Ceres Main canal automated control pilot is ready to go live at season start, with a grower workshop scheduled February 25.
