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Senate panel hears updates on irrigation and groundwater projects across Idaho
Summary
Presentations before the Senate Resources & Environment Committee outlined multiple irrigation and groundwater projects — including a $21 million headworks modernization, a $26.3 million canal relining program and a 70-mile pipeline serving roughly 24,000 acres — and highlighted timing, monitoring and recharge steps to protect supplies.
The Senate Resources & Environment Committee on Feb. 2 heard updates from irrigation districts and groundwater managers about a suite of water infrastructure projects across Idaho.
Paul Arrington, executive director of the Idaho Water Users Association, opened the presentations by framing the session as an overview of public and private investments to improve water delivery and supply reliability. Lorri Gray, secretary/treasurer of the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District, described the Ridenbaugh Headworks Modernization Project and said "the $21 million was the full cost of the project, including the gates, structures, and easements, and working with Alta Harris Park." She outlined a phased schedule: installing a portable dam in October, removing it by April 15 for the 2026 irrigation season, completing additional work in October 2026, testing through the 2027 irrigation season and removing piers at the end of the 2027 season if operations prove successful.
Daniel Hoke, watermaster for Water District 63, reviewed the Treasure Valley Water District Project, noting three phases — equipment and data installation, monitoring and analysis, then mitigation and collaboration — and said phase one (equipment installation and data collection) was complete. Hoke clarified that District 63 covers the Boise River Basin above reservoirs and that Eastern Oregon was not part of his district's considerations.
Jay Barlogi, general manager of the Twin Falls Canal Company, summarized efforts to reline aging canals, saying the broader project cost was about $26.3 million with "about $2 million per mile just for the liner." He said the relining work did not occur within the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer and that the company is constructing a recharge reservoir to offset surface water previously supplied by canal seepage. Barlogi also told senators the project has not experienced issues with animals damaging liners.
Alan Jackson, district manager for the Bingham County Groundwater District, discussed groundwater-to-surface-water conversion projects and partnerships with the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute. In response to a question from Senator Guthrie about whether reduced canal seepage could harm other users, Jackson said water management centers on timing and delivering water intentionally rather than relying on incidental seepage.
Aaron Dalling of the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District reported on telemetry installations for groundwater flow meters, replacement of a three-mile groundwater conveyance, the completion of the North Fremont Canals Pipeline (about 70 miles serving roughly 24,000 acres), and automation projects to control headgates and check structures.
Committee members pressed presenters for milestones, costs and potential impacts on groundwater users; presenters repeatedly emphasized phased implementation, monitoring and coordination with local stakeholders. The committee took no formal action on these presentations; subsequent agenda items addressed rule dockets before the panel.
