Improving the operational efficiencies of 19th century irrigation canals in the 21st century - examples in Idaho
Date
2009-11
Authors
Sauer, Brian W., author
Hicks, Lloyd, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The Great Feeder Canal is a 26-mile long natural channel developed in the late 1800's by Mormon settlers in Eastern Idaho to deliver Snake River water to 120,000 acres of farm land near the town of Rigby. The Great Feeder, with a capacity of over 5,000 cfs, delivers water to 14 major canals and 26 smaller canals. Several of the canal companies embarked on an effort to rehabilitate and modernize their 100-year old irrigation distribution systems with current technologies. Updates have included the rehabilitating and automating of water control structures, improved water measurement, and the installation of a shared radio telemetry system. Overall water management in this large tract has been greatly improved. System improvements have resulted in significant conveyance efficiency improvements, reducing losses from spills and seepage and provided more constant and reliable deliveries to farms. Improved conveyance efficiencies have enabled irrigators to extend limited water supplies later into the irrigation season. With more reliable late-season supplies, even during recent drought periods, farmers have been able to reduce the risk of crop loss. This enabled growers to plant a wider variety of crops. The improvements have also helped improve the ability of water users to carry reservoir storage into the next year and provide a measure of future reliability. The Burgess Canal and Irrigating Company (BCIC), the largest canal supplied by the Feeder, was established in 1886 and provides irrigation water to 22,000 acres of farmland. The Burgess Canal shareholders are finishing a 10-year program to improve system operations through improved water control and measurement. Major control structures are being rehabilitated and automated using durable, low-cost components and radio telemetry. Ramp flumes and other measurement devices were installed at the head of the main canal and other laterals. Steel trash diverters have been installed to protect automated gates from accumulation of debris and pass it though the distribution system. The initial success of the BCIC prompted 10 other canal companies on the Great Feeder to start similar enhancements of their older systems. Currently there are approximately 40 automated control sites along the Feeder. BCIC and other canals have pooled resources to construct a network of 11 spread spectrum radio towers to connect most of the automated structures.
Description
Presented at the fifth international conference on irrigation and drainage, Irrigation and drainage for food, energy and the environment on November 3-6, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.