February 1, 2001
October 19, 2000
John Redding
(208) 378-5212

Irrigation District Recognized with Award

The A&B Irrigation District was recognized for its leadership in water conservation when it received the Bureau of Reclamation’s Commissioner’s Water Conservation Award for outstanding efforts in water management.

The award was presented at the Sixty-third Annual Idaho Water Users Association Conference held in Boise, Idaho, on January 24. It recognizes the district’s innovative water conservation planning, drainwater management, and delivery system improvements.

"This award is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work closely with our partners in the region" said Ken Pedde, acting Reclamation Regional Director when presenting the award. "The A&B Irrigation district continues to work in the best interest of Idaho."

The district is comprised of two units. Unit A serves about 14,637 acres by pumping water from the Snake River at a pumping plant about eight miles west of Burley, Idaho, utilizing storage by pumping water from American Falls and Palisades Reservoirs. Unit B serves approximately 62,159 acres by pumping water from 177 deep wells.

The topography of the district is such that no natural waterways exist to drain waste water. Part of the original project included construction of 78 injection wells, which returned water back to the aquifer. Over time, the district faced increasing pumping costs and a growing concern for the quality of drain water being injected in these wells. As a result, A&B eliminated the use of half of the injection wells.

"Without the help of A&B Irrigation District’s waterusers and staff the goals we set would not have been obtained" said Board Chairman Harold Mohlman. "Commitment and working together with the Bureau of Reclamation and irrigators, has allowed A&B to benefit the area with efficient use of one of our greatest resources, water."

In addition to closing injection wells, the district has taken a progressive approach to drainwater management through construction of wetlands. The wetlands serve to capture and reuse drainwater, improve water quality, allow water to slowly infiltrate back into the aquifer, and also provide a valuable wildlife habitat.

A&B Irrigation District has been a leader in automation and delivery system improvements by installing equipment which allows for the delivery and regulation of water to occur from the district’s office.