News Release Archive

Irrigation District Awarded Federal Financial Assistance

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Brian Sauer, bsauer@usbr.gov

For Release: August 16, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $189,485 in Federal financial assistance to the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) to improve water use efficiency and to enhance water management for LOID and its patrons.

The financial assistance will enable LOID to install additional flow meters at irrigation delivery points, purchase equipment to automatically read the meters, and develop a new process to track monthly statements for patrons within the Lewiston Orchards Project.

Since 2005, LOID has installed nearly 600 meters at irrigation deliveries points. The financial assistance will go towards the purchase and installation of an additional 478 flow meters with radio technology enabling the district to gather water use data which can be downloaded remotely to a laptop computer.

"These additional flow meters will increase water use efficiency and water deliveries for our district patrons, and improve stream flows for threatened steelhead in Sweetwater and Webb Creeks." said Barney Metz, Manager with the LOID.

With the updated system, LOID will be able to verify if patrons are meeting their allotment or over watering. The improvements will also help identify leaks in the water distribution system, and give water managers the proper tools to inform their patrons about water conservation practices.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.