Flows in the Tule River, including what was coming over the spillway peaked at 10,693 cfs at 4:00 pm yesterday and hung around that level for several hours before finally starting to recede. Flows are still currently over 9,000 cfs.

There are many breaches along the river due to those high of flows. The water velocity and elevations are very high even in the areas that aren’t broke out. District staff has been working 24 hours a day since last Friday. We have also been amazed at how everyone has pulled together through this. There are many farmers out there who have been running 24 hours a day helping the District, helping their neighbors and trying to protect their land at the same time. Absolutely incredible.

Last night was particularly devastating. Breaches in the river ran through fields and across roads and got into other parts of the District distribution system which then busted out and flooded other areas as well. It will take us a day or two to assess damages and resume regular water deliveries in parts of the system. Please bear with us.

Also, everyone must understand this flood event has destroyed parts of our system and diversion structures in certain areas. That means, even when Success Reservoir gets under control, there are some major repairs to the system that must take place to resume normal water deliveries and there will be times throughout this year where parts of the system do not have water in them.

As always if there are any questions please call the office.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

Tule River Flood Operations Update

Due to historically high inflows, Success Reservoir has filled and is expected to start spilling over the spillway before morning. In addition to filling the reservoir, the storm system from yesterday brought a lot of debris along with the water. As the water goes over the spillway, we anticipate the debris coming with it into the river channel. There is also a storm forecasted for Tuesday which will again increase inflow into the reservoir.

Given all of that, the decision has been made to pull the channel guides at the District control structures and road crossings. This will enable the higher flows and debris flow through a little easier. This will be a night long process that is expected to be complete prior to the increased flows making it to the District. With the increased flows and debris, there will be no way to avoid flooding along the river, though there is no way to determine when, where, or how much.

Please be aware and be as prepared as possible if you live or have property along the Tule River.

District staff has been working around the clock clearing debris and keeping the water flowing and will continue to do so.

Please stay safe and keep our employees who are out there in your thoughts.

As always if there are any questions please call the office.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

The Bureau gave us our initial allocation for the 2023 Water Year, which starts March 1. The initial allocation is 100% Class 1 and 20% Class 2. With that allocation, we believe Lower Tule will be running for most of March. We will continue to update as things develop.

As always if there are any questions, please call the office.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

As a reminder, to insure you guys are maxing out your opportunity to recharge water in a designated sinking basin. You should be checking your meters to make sure that they stay working. staff checks meter readings at the end of the month NOT on a daily basis. if your meter fails during that time you will not be able to get credit for designated sinking basin.

as always if there is any questions please call the office. thanks

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

LTRID Update

 The Bureau of Reclamation announced that Uncontrolled season releases will end on February 9. At that point, they are increasing the Class 1 allocation from 35% Class 1 to 50% Class 1 through the remainder of February. The March 1 allocation will be announced at a later date. The increased allocation, in addition to agreements the District has in place to take water, means Lower Tule will be running through the end of the month and potentially into March.

The Friant Kern Canal is anticipated to be at full capacity for the next several days and potentially moving forward so the flows into the District may fluctuate from time to time. If flows into the District are reduced, District canals will have to be prorated and waiting lists for orders instituted.

As always, with Flood Operations, things change quickly. Keep looking for email updates.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call the office.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

As of today March 2, 2023. Pixley has enough water to get us to Wednesday March 8th. At this point in the season things change quickly and daily. We will keep you informed as quickly as we can. Thanks

As always if there are any questions please call the office.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

PIXLEY IRRIGATION DISTRICT SELECTED AS PRIORITY AREA, $500,000 AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT LANDOWNERS

Pixley Irrigation District has received information from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the recent announcement of the WaterSMART Initiative funding of $500,000 for PIXID landowners. NRCS is accepting applications from PIXID landowners for this special funding NOW through April 3, 2023 (deadline). Landowners in PIXID can apply for these funds through the NRCS for conservation practices such as irrigation water management, irrigation pipelines, structures for water control, pumps, micro irrigation systems, cover crops, and additional practices. 

The program is an amazing opportunity for PIXID landowners, we encourage everyone who is interested to contact the NRCS and apply!

Applications for these funds will be taken at the Visalia NRCS Field Office located at 3530 W. Orchard Ct., Visalia, CA 93277. You can also contact the Visalia NRCS at 559-754-3183. 

For more information on this funding, please visit the NRCS website here.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

With the initial allocation of Friant water and a long-term agreement the District has with Delano Earlimart, Pixley has been running throughout February and will run at least until this Friday, March 3. We will have further updates later this week.

As always if there are any questions, please call the office.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

Pixley Irrigation District is still planning on shutting off Tuesday at midnight 2/28/2023 with Friant water. With that being said, we are anticipating that Deer Creek natural flows will still be running with the current storms lined up and could keep Pixley running for the remainder of the week. With the exception of Ave 116. It has no ties to Deer Creek and will not be able to run. As always when dealing with flood operations and natural run off on Deer Creek things could change quickly. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on any changes as soon as I can.

As always if there are any questions please call the office.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

Pixley Irrigation District will be able to turn back on Friday. The District is now taking orders for Friday morning. We will make this transition back on, as quickly and as smooth as possible. If you are ordering water on the westside please expect some delays in deliveries from the normal on and off times. All water must be re-ordered to come back on.

As always if there is any questions please call the office.

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

As of 6:00am Wednesday 2/22/2023 the Friant Kern Canal is at capacity. Pixley Irrigation District will be getting cut out of the Friant based on priority with class 1 contracts. Gowers will need to keep an eye on there pumps. I’m anticipating Pixley’s westside users will have water most of the day, ending in the evening some time. Pixley’s eastside users will run out of water sometime early afternoon. I am anticipating being able to get our water back in the canal Thursday or Friday 2/23-2/24. With that being said, you will need to order your water back on once the District has available water. Thanks for your patience the District has done everything we can to stay in the canal.

as always if there is any questions please call the office. thanks

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

As a reminder, to insure you guys are maxing out your opportunity to recharge water in a designated sinking basin. You should be checking your meters to make sure that they stay working. staff checks meter readings at the end of the month NOT on a daily basis. if your meter fails during that time you will not be able to get credit for designated sinking basin.

as always if there is any questions please call the office. thanks

Sincerely,

Kirk Masters

Water Resources Superintendent

An update on the price of Pixley water. At their February Board meeting, the Board, after review of cashflow and water supply projections, set the price at $100 per acre-foot.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call the office.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

Pixley Update

With the change in Friant allocations, Pixley has some agreements in place to take water deliveries from others. It currently looks as if Pixley will run through the end of February. 

The Friant Kern Canal is anticipated to be at full capacity for the next several days and potentially moving forward so the flows into the District may fluctuate from time to time. As a reminder, Pixley has a low priority for flows out of the Friant Kern and is one of the first Districts who have to reduce when the canal is being prorated. If flows into the District are reduced, District canals will have to be prorated and waiting lists for orders instituted.

As always, with Flood Operations, things change quickly. Keep looking for email updates.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call the office.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager

The Teapot system and the Friant Kern Canal are back in service.

You can begin placing orders. Deliveries will start Thursday morning, February 9. You must place an order by 9:30 am on February 8, to receive water February 9.

Below are reminders on rates and carryover:

1) The current water rate, through February 28 is $400/AF. The Board will be reviewing the Post March 1 water rate at their February meeting.

2) Back in October, some landowners signed up for carryover water beyond March 1, subject to the following conditions;

• Landowners must have unused 2022 allocation in their account to be eligible.
• Landowners must sign up with the District by 10/26 to carryover water.
• The carryover water will be the first water used in 2023.
• The rate for the carryover water will be $400/acre-foot
• During flood operations at Millerton Reservoir, carryover water is the first water spilled from the Reservoir.

As always, please call the office, 559-686-4716, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Eric Limas

General Manager