Irrigation season almost at an end
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News from the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project,
forwarded by the Flathead Joint Board of Control
The following is a brief summary of water availability for the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project and outlook per geographic area.
Camas: Current storage is 59 percent of capacity. It is expected that the quota of 0.8 acre feet per acre will be met in early September. At that time all deliveries will be shut off.
Jocko Valley: Current storage in the Jocko Valley is 3 percent of capacity with 350 usable acre-feet. Average July end-of-month storage is 3,973 acre-feet. Storage in the Black Lake and Lower Jocko is now depleted. This will result in a minimal supply of water (available runoff) for irrigation for the remainder of the season. Project management will continue to divert available water above specified in-stream flows for stock water for as long as possible.
Mission Valley: Current storage across the valley is 19 percent of capacity with 1,6861 acre-feet currently usable. It is expected that storage for irrigation will be near depleted, or depleted, the week of August 16. After this date, stock water may be available in some areas. However, project management cautions all water users that many canals may be dry and stock water deliveries may not be met. Pablo Reservoir discharge continues to be limited to what the Flathead River Pumps provide.
