Current Projects
Twin Falls Selective Canal Automation Network (Idaho, USA)
The Twin Falls tract (a Carey Act Project) was developed between 1903 and 1909 by the Twin Falls Land and Water Company, a private developer using private money. As a non-profit stock corporation, the Twin Falls Canal Company was organized in 1909 to perform the operation and maintenance of the tract. Today, the Twin Falls Canal Company operates and maintains a canal, lateral, and coulee system to gravity irrigate 202,000 acres on the south side of the Snake River in south central Idaho. Water is diverted at Milner Dam, regulated at Murtaugh Dam, and split between the Low and High Line Canals at Forks.
In 1995, Reclamation began working with the canal company to upgrade its real-time monitoring and control system. One of the radial gates on Milner Dam was automated to help maintain a more constant flow at the head of the canal. Murtaugh Dam was automated to further regulate flows in the canal.
Additionally, Provo Area Office staff worked with the canal company to assist in automating the major structures on its coulee system. In 1996, a prototype of a solar-powered gate actuator was installed on "A" coulee. This unit proved to be successful, and the canal company has installed similar units on other coulees and laterals. Reclamation has also assisted with the installation of other flow monitoring and control structures throughout the canal system. Data communication on the Twin Falls selective canal automation network is by VHF radio.