News
As of early February, the Hood River Basin is forecasted to have lower than normal water supplies this summer (~80% of median streamflow). Read more here.
Check out the 2025 Annual Newsletter to learn about updated rates, staff changes, and more.
Learn about water levels, anticipated 2026 irrigation assessments, and the August 21st Information Session here.
While the snowpack and precipitation for the Hood River Basin was looking good through March, the situation began to change in April. Hotter and dryer than normal weather through April and May has resulted in a quickly dwindling snowpack (an important form of stored water that would normally boost streamflows through the summer), higher than normal water use, and a dry outlook for the rest of the irrigation season.
As of June 1st, Basin snowpack was half of what it would normally be, meaning half as much water was stored in upper elevation snow “reservoirs”. In addition, April precipitation was less than half what it would normally be, and May precipitation was only 71% of normal. NRCS predictions for streamflows through September dropped from about average (predicted on 4/1) to about 75% of average (predicted on 6/1). FID has been seeing lower than normal streamflows at all our diversions, and expects this to continue throughout the summer.
As a result of these natural conditions, District patrons began watering earlier in the season, and use has been much higher than during a normal spring to early summer. FID has begun using reservoir water to meet demand about three weeks earlier than normal. State-enforced conditions on the new storage water right do not allow FID to use any of the expanded reservoir capacity this summer, so the District and District patrons must stay within our historical use limits.
Given the high water use and low water supplies, FID asks patrons to please be conservative with your water use. Inspect your system frequently for leaks and breaks, and repair those issues promptly. Ensure irrigation water is being applied only where it will assist plant growth (e.g. don’t water pavement, wash cars/other equipment, or fill pools), and please only apply as much water as your crop needs. If possible, consider allowing your lawn to go dormant this year. Conscientious water use, and cooperation with your neighbors and community, can help us all get through this season safely. Thank you for doing your part.
Check out the Annual Newsletter to learn about updated rates, cost-share opportunities, and other District updates.
FID will be increasing patron assessments for the 2025 irrigation season. The key factor driving this need is the change in revenue generated by the District’s hydropower plants. FID currently sells the power it generates to Pacific Power through a contract which needed to be renewed. Unfortunately, under the rules governing the new contract, our rate for power is going to drop from 8.2¢/kilowatt hour to 4.8¢/kilowatt hour. This will result in an approximate loss of $800,000 in revenue.
While Pacific Power has requested another rate increase for all end users (residential and commercial alike), FID’s new contract represents a substantial decrease in the rate paid to the District for the renewable power that we produce. Patron assessment increases are necessary to compensate for this significant loss in revenue and keep the District operational. The District will continue to assess the budget closely with an eye to additional sources of revenue, minimizing operational costs, and opportunities to reduce debt load in the hope of reducing the costs to patrons in the future.
Invoices are scheduled to go out in the mail on November 5th, 2024. For further information please contact District Manager Alexis Vaivoda at 541-387-5261 or email alexis@fidhr.org.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Farmers Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
Check out the Annual Newsletter to learn about the 2023 season, cost-share opportunities, and other District updates.
The District was featured in a KGW8 news story about irrigation district modernization efforts. Check it out here.
Check out the Annual Newsletter to learn about 2022 operations, 2023 rates, cost-share opportunities, and other District updates.
The District has partnered with Farmers Conservation Alliance, the Hood River Watershed Group, and others to explore development of pollinator corridors along our pipelines. A trial project is currently ongoing. Learn more about the project in this FCA produced video.
Learn about the moderization efforts of Farmers and other Hood River Basin irrigation districts here.
Learn what's new with Farmers Irrigation District in our 2021 newsletter.
Updates on recent projects, policies, and operations are available below.
Plant 2 and Plant 3 were approved for recertification by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) for a 10-year term. Low impact hydropower certification allows FID to receive a higher price for the energy produced, helping to keep rates lower for District patrons. Learn more about the plants and the certification here.
International hydropower professionals were recently toured through FID's system to learn about our irrigation modernization efforts and in-conduit hydropower system upgrades. Read the article here.
FID's Davenport Farmers Screen was used as a test site for a new mode of evaluating safe fish passage. This study, published in the Marine and Freshwater Research journal, confirmed that the Farmers Screen provides safe downstream fish passage.