News Release Archive

Reclamation Presents Water Conservation Award to Rigby, Idaho Company

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Jerry Gregg, jgregg@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: January 26, 2005

Reclamation Commissioner John Keys will present the Commissioner's Water Conservation Award to the Burgess Canal and Irrigation Company of Rigby, Idaho, during the Idaho Water Users Association Convention in Boise, Idaho on January 26.

"I'm pleased to recognize the Burgess Canal and Irrigation Company and present this award for their outstanding effort in water conservation in Idaho," said Commissioner Keys. "Their superior efforts in water conservation planning, irrigation system improvement, and farm delivery management represents the kind of technology we need as future demand for water continues to increase."

Burgess is recognized for developing a five-year comprehensive water management plan in 2001 that identified system improvements and major maintenance to reduce losses by 25 percent, saving approximately 10,000 to 12,000 acre-feet per year.

In the initial implementation the BCIC has constructed a broad-crested weir and automated the company's main diversion and seven check structures. These modifications have helped control canal levels and minimize spills. In addition to saving water, the improvements allowed them to continue making deliveries throughout the 2004 irrigation season during historically low water supplies.

The canal company constructed a broad-crested weir at the Burgess Canal head that provides system operators with real-time water accounting information and improves measurement accuracy. Other improvements that reduce operational losses include trash control, regular canal shaping and cleaning, and vegetation control.

"The BCIC has employed a mixture of system improvements, on-going maintenance efforts, and management to enhance water use efficiencies on an historic system whose initial water rights date to 1886," Keys said. "Their leadership, coupled with the success of their program, has prompted neighboring canal companies to launch automation projects." Lloyd Hicks, President of the BCIC, is expected to accept the award on behalf of the canal company.

Reclamation is an active participant in the Idaho Water Users Association annual convention and looks forward to continued cooperation and partnership with its active members.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.