1. IID Secures Additional 100,000 Acre-Feet of System Conservation Capacity for 2026 The Board approved Amendment No. 1 to the 2024–2026 System Conservation Implementation Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, increasing the cumulative conservation volume from 700,000 to 800,000 acre-feet. This allows IID to run a full-capacity deficit irrigation program as a stopgap through the end of this year (June–September), along with additional on-farm conservation generated by growers. Water Department Manager Tina Shields noted that IID's total contribution over the four-year period adds approximately 12 feet of elevation to Lake Mead — a significant effort from a single district. The federal cost-share has changed: Reclamation now pays 50% of the prior per-acre-foot rate, though IID indicated this still covers program costs. Growers participating in deficit irrigation and on-farm conservation programs should be aware this funding extension is now secured.
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