Low precipitation totals coupled with the need for carryover water storage in the years to come will mean that October 10, 2012, will indeed mark the end of the current irrigation season for Turlock Irrigation District (TID) customers.
As such, TID encourages growers and other irrigators to make necessary plans to their operations that do not include an extension of this irrigation season.
Earlier this year, the TID Board of Directors authorized the irrigation season to run from March 8th through October 10th, pending weather and crop conditions.
With Tuolumne River Watershed precipitation levels near 63 percent of average this year, and with Don Pedro Reservoir at a lower than expected storage amount, it has become increasingly prudent to hold water in the reservoir in preparation for next year’s irrigation season. This year will end as one of the 15 driest years in 115 years of TID recordkeeping.
Growers are reminded to contract the Irrigation Call Center at 883-8456 to place irrigation orders. The last day to place irrigation orders will be Sunday, October 7, 2012.
