BITTER ROOT IRRIGATION DISTRICT              

1182 LAZY J. LANE     CORVALLIS, MT.   59828            

 

          2005 NEWSLETTER

 

ELECTIONS

            ELECTIONS ARE HELD EVERY YEAR FOR MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THE DISTRICT HAS 5 DIVISIONS. COMMISSIONERS SERVE A THREE YEAR TERM. THIS YEAR, KEITH DAVIS WILL RETAIN HIS SEAT ON THE BOARD FOR DIVISION THREE & JOHN SCHMIEDEKE WILL RETAIN HIS SEAT ON THE BOARD FOR DIVISION FOUR.

 

DISTRICT POLICIES

            THE DISTRICT DELIVERS ½ MINERS INCH OF WATER PER IRRIGATED ACRE. THIS IS EQUAL TO 5.625 GALLONS PER MINUTE, PER IRRIGATED ACRE. IF YOU IRRIGATE WITH SPRINKLERS THAT ARE CALIBRATED TO DELIVER 5 ½  GALLONS PER MINUTE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN 1 SPRINKLER PER IRRIGATED ACRE.

 

WATER OUTLOOK

            LAKE COMO IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 57% FULL COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME WHEN IT WAS AT 45% OF CAPACITY. OUR SNOWPACK THIS YEAR IS AT 60% OF NORMAL BUT THE  LACK OF SNOW AT LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL PROBABLY MEAN A DELAYED RUNOFF INTO THE LAKE, WITH THE FORECASTERS PREDICTING MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL STREAM FLOWS. PRECIPITATION FOR THE SEASON IS ALSO WELL BELOW NORMAL. WE ARE EXPECTING A SHORTER THAN NORMAL IRRIGATION SEASON BUT WE MAY GET A LITTLE HELP FROM MOTHER NATURE IN THE FORM OF SPRING AND SUMMER RAINS.

 

SUBDIVISION

            PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU SUBDIVIDE YOUR LAND, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF DELIVERY OF WATER TO EACH SUBDIVIDED PIECE AFTER A PROPERLY FILLED OUT AND APPROVED WATER ALLOCATION FORM IS COMPLETE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN FOLLOWING THESE PROCEDURES AND CONTINUE TO ASK

YOU TO CONTACT THE OFFICE WHEN YOU MAKE ANY BOUNDARY CHANGES.

 

DISTRICT WEBSITE

            THE DISTRICT IS STILL WORKING ON DEVELOPING A WEBSITE FOR USE OF ANY INTERESTED PARTIES. PLEASE VISIT US AT bitterrootirrigationdistrict.org CHECK OUT THE LINK TO MONTANA SNOWPACK NUMBERS. FEEL FREE TO CALL AND GIVE US ANY IDEAS OF GENERAL INFO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDED.

 

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

            THE DISTRICT IS LOCATED AT 1182 LAZY J. LANE IN CORVALLIS. OFFICE HOURS ARE MON-FRI 8-4. THE DISTRICT PHONE # IS 961-1182. PLEASE FEEL FREE  TO LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE ANSWERING MACHINE.

 

2005 DITCHRIDERS ARE:

            RIDE 1 - LAKE COMO TO WILLOW CREEK - JOHN CROWLEY

            RIDE 2 - WILLOW CREEK TO BURNT FORK - BARRY AXTELL

            RIDE 3 - BURNT FORK TO EAGLE WATCH - ROD SACKS