Canal breach at East Jordan Irrigation Company prompts emergency funding inquiry; repair estimate about $2 million

Board staff informed members about an emergency canal breach affecting the East Jordan Irrigation Company and discussed next steps for possible emergency funding.

Marissa Egbert and division staff said the breach occurred Dec. 23. An engineering firm (Bone Collins) prepared designs and a preliminary cost estimate of roughly $2 million. Staff told the board the irrigation company has started contractor work and is seeking funding to complete repairs; staff said insurance would not cover the canal repair itself though it might cover some damages. The company’s board is exploring interim financing and expected to submit an application for board consideration.

Staff noted prior board precedent for emergency assistance in canal failures and landslide events, but advised that emergency committal requires legal review, an attorney’s opinion on water-rights and easements, and documentation (engineer’s design, attorney opinion, permits) before the board can commit state funds. Staff told the board the earliest funding could be in place—if all documentation and legal reviews were completed promptly—would be in early April, following the board’s March meeting. Staff also discussed the possibility of pursuing reimbursement from any liable third party if negligence were a factor; board members asked staff to include conditions in any committal that preserve recovery rights and to require applicants to pursue available private remedies and insurance first.

No emergency funds were committed in the briefing; staff said an application and feasibility materials will be expedited to the March agenda for authorization/committal consideration.