Colorado River Crisis Continues with Tier 1 Shortage for 2025 - The Bureau of Reclamation's 24-month study projects Lake Mead will end the year at 1055 feet, triggering another Tier 1 shortage for 2025. Both Lake Powell and Lake Mead are operating at approximately 31% capacity, with the system overall at just 39% capacity. Negotiations for post-2026 Colorado River operations face a November 11 deadline, with potential regulatory action by Reclamation if basin states cannot reach consensus.
$90 Million in Conservation Program Payments Moving Forward - The board approved a budget amendment totaling approximately $90 million for conservation programs, including $26 million for the remaining 2024 On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program and $64 million for the 2025 Deficit Irrigation Program (DIP). Staff reported they are 99% complete with field analysis for 2024 programs and will begin issuing approximately $9 million in checks this week, with over 70% farmer participation in conservation efforts.
Board Meeting Structure Changes Proposed - The board discussed restructuring meetings with the first monthly meeting designated as a formal "business session" for action items and recognitions, while the second meeting would become a "work session" for strategic discussions and policy development. This change would allow all five directors to participate in policy discussions rather than having separate committee meetings with only two members present.
Emergency repair completed on the Pepper Canal heading off the High Line after structural tilting caused pipe separation issues.
IID secured nearly $80 million in grant awards for water and power infrastructure improvements and successfully applied for an additional $3 million federal grant for tree programs.
Staff reported 68 Public Records Act requests processed in the past year, higher than average volume.
The district's call center experiences longer wait times on Monday mornings and after long weekends, with staff working to onboard additional personnel.
Power outage in Holtville on Sunday lasted approximately one hour, with city opening cooling centers as precautionary measure.
Take-or-pay relief periods may be declared soon to allow unused water allocations to be redistributed to participants needing additional water.
Current water use is running about 20,000 acre-feet under forecast due to conservation programs reducing typical high-demand periods.
For questions about conservation programs, water allocations, or other district matters, contact Imperial Irrigation District at (760) 339-9477 or visit www.IID.com. Public comments can be made at board meetings held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM in the William R. Condit Auditorium, 1285 Broadway Avenue, El Centro. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2025.
