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~-'.~-""",.......' -.-...~.~ (1'{)'~?,''':'~'.-:-'-''':''' ..01......,:)._ .;:. Y'l.....~. ..-~'.."=- ';.-:o(._~;;"- ........, ~~- .,....,. "... . J :;(~ -'j :;,; Several days before the end of the season, the district estimated how much water would be needed to fill orders through the end of the season. They then estimated how much of that demand could be met by using the amount of water already in the canal system. Based on these estimates, the releases from the dam were shut off two days before the end of the season. All remaining deliveries were then made from the water left in the canals. The result was so successful, the district intends to refine their estimating procedures and feel that they can shut off releases from the dam three days before the end of the season (assuming the same demand occurs) and save additional water. Historically, the irrigation season was started on March 15 and, ended on November 15 of each year. In order to reduce losses, the District now establishes the starting and ending dates of the' irrigation season based upon demand, weather conditions and soil ,moisture. This delays the starting of the season with subsequent watering up of the delivery system by as much as two weeks with an estimated savings cif 4.9 million m' (4,000 acre-feet). Ending the season earlier using the same evaluation factors results in similar savings from reduced system loss. The district is repairing or replacing turnouts and check structures to reduce leakage losses. This is being done as part of their normal ,maintenance procedures but does receive more emphasi& than it has in the past. It is no longer sufficient that a gate be operable, it must also, be' water tight. Other maintenance activities that have been improved to reduce water losses are control of water weeds and repair of canals to reduce leakage. Evaluation of the system showed that measurement of water delivered to the users was, a problem. Most of the available measuring devices were installed when the project was constructed over 80 years ago, while other delivery, points were not even measured. Improperly maintained measuring devices usually measure water inaccurately in favor of the user. In other words, they deliver more water than that measured. This made accurate accounting for water delivered a very difficult task. Efforts were initiated to improve the water accountability. Procedures were undertaken to rate existing measuring devices to improve their accuracy, and new measuring devices were installed where possible with limited money resources. In addition, existing cheCk structures and turnouts were rated"-to act as measuring devices where possible. Ditch riders were' then given training sessions on use of, measuring devices and calculation of flows using water flow equations for various types of devices. The exact water savings resulting from these actions cannot ,be determined but has been estimated at 7.4 million m' (6,000 acre-feet) per year to date. Measurement of water being delivered to and flowing from a sub- district was found to be important in developing a method of helping determine where and why efficiency was low or high. By j a ,j ;~ a ~'.~ .';J :~:: fl:i '~ \ ~' .J.) :... .;,' \j" " ", ~~;.: ~::}~ . ~':~l 1~,7 ~<. .r. ~j,~" t.' ,.- .~~ ". ':.I ~~j .' .~ 'j :,i: ':i ~: :} .'i: ~ ..:1 <~ , ,', .:< ,:,} ~: . " .:.~ 7 ,; '.~: '..J