By rosebell
The US’s largest irrigation district has formally backed California’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project.
In order to modernising the State Water Project and secure water supplies for seven out of 10 Californians, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) board of directors has adopted a resolution in support of the project.
Considering that the project faces key legislative votes this month, currently the resolution is going to be transmitted to Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders.
While Imperial County is the only county in Southern California that does not receive State Water Project water, IID says its move is notable and the district draws exclusively from the Colorado River. It says its endorsement underscores recognition that the state’s two major water systems – the Bay-Delta and the Colorado River – are deeply connected, and that improving reliability in one provides relief to the other.
According to IID chairwoman Gina Dockstader: “A stronger Delta relieves pressure on the Colorado River, and that benefits us all.”
Adding Sacramento River intakes and constructing a 72.5km tunnel to move water beneath the Delta, the Delta Conveyance Project is critical to capturing storm flows, reducing seismic and levee risks, and ensuring reliable supplies for 27 million people and around 303,500ha of farmland.
For Southern California, Delta reliability directly affects the Metropolitan Water District and the Coachella Valley Water District, both of which rely on the drought-stricken Colorado River, particularly when State Water Project deliveries falter. IID leaders said stabilising the Delta helped ease that strain on a river already stressed by historic drought.
IID director Alex Cardenas said: “One system supports the other – and California needs both to succeed. When the Delta is stable, the Colorado River is stronger.”
