Smaller water deliveries for the Merced Irrigation District in California
3/17/2022 1:46:27 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Mariposa County, CA
Merced County, CA
Start Date: 3/16/2022
- End Date: 12/31/2022
The incredibly dry start to 2022 is being felt by irrigation districts and farmers. The Merced Irrigation District will deliver water according to schedule, but less will be delivered and the water will cost more than other years. The surface water allocation for the 2022 season will be 1.1 acre-feet per acre for in-district growers at a cost of $100 per acre foot. The price the past two years was $50 per acre foot. The rate hike is due to bond requirements and MID policies to maintain financial reserves as a buffer against the impacts of multiple dry years.
At Lake McClure, the primary water supply for growers, the reservoir is about 29% full and 56% of the historical average.
Merced Sun-Star (Calif.), March 16, 2022
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