Justin Harter speaks during the Yakima Basin Joint Board’s September 26, 2024, tour, highlighting the impacts of the 2024 drought and ongoing irrigation modernization efforts.
The Naches-Selah Irrigation District is one of several districts that play a role in the collaborative water management within the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. The Integrated Plan involves the Bureau of Reclamation, Washington State Department of Ecology's Office of the Columbia River, Yakama Nation, and other partners. This article highlights Justin Harter, whose long-standing career as an irrigation manager speaks to the importance of having partners that understand the challenges within the Yakima River basin.
When Justin Harter became the Naches-Selah Irrigation District’s first District Manager in 2004, he brought with him a vision shaped by years of experience in the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District. Two decades later, his leadership has brought significant modernization and improvements, positioning NSID as a model for irrigation districts navigating the challenges of a changing environment and the growing demand for water efficiency.
At SCBID, Justin had many opportunities to see projects taken from start to finish. Having that “boots on the ground” experience, from surveying to information gathering, project design, material procurement, and working with field crews for the day-to-day work, set him up for success in managing the first project underway at NSID when he joined in 2004—a pipe replacement project, a key element of the modernization plan.
Significant improvements Justin has seen during his time include the replacement of wood pipes, flumes, and trestles. Maintenance on the old infrastructure was costly, inefficient, and vulnerable to failure. Upgrades needed to happen in phases to ensure timely delivery of water to landowners each irrigation season. Introducing SCADA technology, or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition—a system used in water and irrigation technology to monitor and control processes remotely—to the modernized infrastructure increased delivery pressure to 5,000 acres of the 10,600 irrigated acres served.
The comprehensive planning and phased implementation of NSID’s modernization efforts, along with their use of innovative technologies like SCADA, provide a model for other irrigation districts aiming to balance efficiency, sustainability, and the ever-increasing demands for water resources. Integrating technology and improved efficiency is the compass that guides Justin to keep water flowing for days and years to come.
Another key aspect of Justin’s role as an irrigation district manager is engaging with his local community and stakeholders. He’s also involved in the Washington State Water Resources Association, where he focuses on Washington State law on irrigation district elections, water quality, treatment of aquatic weeds in canals, food safety, and buried utility locating (call before you dig law). Justin’s involvement allows him to remain adaptable to the changing landscape of environmental concerns within the Yakima River basin.
2024 marked Justin’s fifth declared drought season as NSID's district manager. His knowledge of the operation of canals, pipelines, and infrastructure networks that convey water has positioned him to understand how to manage the extreme demands for water in droughts and full water supply years.
Competition for limited natural resources continues to increase. Justin’s hope for the future is the continued success of irrigated agriculture. The modernization efforts and connections he has built over the past 20 years as district manager lay the foundation for continued success between the irrigation district and its stakeholders.
