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Water deliveries drying up

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News from the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — The following is a brief summary of water availability and outlook per geographic area from the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, as of Aug. 25: 

Camas 

Current storage is 56 percent of capacity. It is expected that the quota of 0.80 acre feet per acre will be met in September. It is expected that all deliveries will be shut off no later than Sept. 15. 

Jocko Valley 

Storage in the Black Lake and Lower Jocko is depleted. Water for stock water and irrigation is dependent upon natural runoff only, meaning what is in the river naturally is what is available for diversion. FIIP will continue to divert available water above specified Instream Flows for as long as possible. It is important to note that as the Jocko River moves toward Flathead River it naturally gains in discharge. As of now, the Jocko River discharge is insufficient for irrigation diversion purposes at the Upper S Canal. 

There has been a varying amount of stock water available at the K Canal diversion. This water is spread out as equitably as possible within the R Canal system as well as the K Canal System. 

River discharge has allowed the diversion of both irrigation and stock water for the Lower S Canal and the Lower J Canal systems. Again, the river naturally increases in discharge as it moves downstream. 

Mission Valley 

Mission South and Pablo Upper 

Due to depleted storage and insufficient runoff, deliveries for irrigation were essentially shut down Aug. 14 (plus or minus a handful of days). Most all reservoirs across the Mission Valley are at minimum storage levels. Current storage is only 7 percent of capacity. FIIP is continuing to provide stock water where possible; however, all water users are again cautioned that there may not be water available for stock water and many laterals and ditches will be dry. 

Pablo Reservoir 

This irrigation season lands served by Pablo Reservoir experienced two shut down periods. Because of this deliveries from Pablo Reservoir continued for a time approximately equivalent to the combined shut down periods. Irrigation deliveries to lands under the reservoir were shut down Aug. 24. Discharges could not continue because the reservoir had reached absolute minimum pool. Although deliveries have ceased, the pumps will continue to operate through September, which will allow the reservoir storage to be restored to an adequate carry over supply. 

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