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Conservation in the 1980s Long ago, IID embarked on a significant program of systemimprovements that resulted in conservation of 138,000 acre-feet of water annually by the mid-1980s. These improvements included: Canal lining: More than 900 miles of IID canals were lined with concrete, eliminating the seepage of trans- ported water into the ground and conserving 57,000 acre-feet per year. This program started in 1954. Seepage recovery: A major structural improvement was the installation of seepage recovery systems along the East Highline Canal, a main canal serving IID's irrigated area and near the All-American Canal. 25.000 AF/yr is saved through seepage recovery. Regulating Reservoirs: Beginning in 1976, liD constructed four regulating reservoirs with a storage capac- ity of 1,570 AF. An estimated 6,200 AF/yr of water is conserved by these reservoirs. World's premier gravity flow system: By using gravity, not only does the liD system avoid pumping costs, the system actually produces electricity through a series of hydroelectric power plants. Irrigation water management: The District provides resources, training and operational flexibility to en- hance efficient irrigation water management. An estimated 29,800 AF annually is conserved by using reservoirs, exercising extreme care in water deliveries andstressing conservation in operations. Tailwater assessment programs, which assess escalating charges for excess tailwater, were conserving 20,000 AFlyr in the mid-1980s and have continued. In addition to the above conservation measures, farmers have made improvements to their farms by con- crete lining their own ditches to prevent seepage and precise land leveling to maximize water use on-farm. The IID Board of Directors has gone beyond systems improvements in supporting conservation. Since 1984, it has pursued a formal policy of seeking outside partners for conservation and transfer programs. One result is the successful MWD program now in full bloom. MWD Water Transfer Program a Harbinger of the Future Negotiated in 1989, this pilot transfer program with the Metropolitan Water District is a model for those that will occur in the future. MWD paid the cost of numerous system and other improvements that now provide nearly 100,000 acre-feet per year in conservation. The program also resulted in an economic boon of at least $38 million to Imperial Valley vendors and contractors. It includes: lWelve-hour delivery: Prior to 1991, lID delivered water tofarmers on a fixed, 24-hour schedule. Now, farm- ers can order smaller amounts for a fixed twelve-hour basis and allow for cut-off of delivery within the last four hours if canal capacity permits. This makes water use more accurate and efficient, and conserves 27,000 AF of water annually. Carter Reservoir, a $2.1 million, 32-acre regulating reservoir which has eliminated operational discharge at the end of the Westside Main Canal, saving 4,550 acre-feet of water annually. Major Supply Canal Concrete Lining Projects, eliminating seepage of water through the earthen banks of the large supply canals and conserving more than 1,810 acre-feet of water annually. Lateral Interceptors, collecting lateral operational discharge, depositing it into a reservoir and them pumping it into another system for use on nearby fields. Conserving 15,200 AF/yr. Galleano Reservoir, a $2.8 million project that captures operational discharge in a 40-acre reservoir at the end of the East Highline Canal. Conserving 4,960 AF/yr. Lateral Canal Lining: liD has completed lining of more than 265 miles of lateral canals since 1990. By eliminating seepage and increasing the efficiency of the canal delivery system, this projectconserves nearly 25,000 acre-feet of water annually. Non-leak gates: This project replaced wooden canal check gates with non-leaking aluminum gates, saving 630 acre-feet per year. Irrigation Water Management: This program takes water conservation onto the farm by providing funds for the construction of water conservation systems such as tailwater recovery systems. It also provides training and support to teach farmers the most advanced irrigation management techniques. Estimated water savings is 4,540 AF/yr. System Automation: A wide array of projects included the building of a computer controlled water control center along with microwave and radio control structures on the canals and reservoirs. Conservation: 8,040 acre- feet annually. 2