Irrigation

TID serves over 4,900 irrigation customers covering approximately 150,000 acres of farmland. TID owns and maintains more than 250 miles of canals and laterals. About 90 percent of the District's canals are concrete-lined to curb seepage and erosion.

On-Demand Irrigation

TID pioneered the concept of an on-demand water delivery system so farmers could avoid long waits between irrigations. With the exception of a small area in the Delhi area, all irrigation water is delivered via gravity through a system of canals and laterals between La Grange Dam on the Tuolumne River on the east and the San Joaquin River at the far western edge of the irrigation service area.

The Irrigation Season

The District's irrigation season typically begins in mid-March and continues through mid-October. Each year, TID's elected Board of Directors set a water allotment for the growers based on the amount of water in storage as well as the projected runoff in the Tuolumne River watershed during the preceding winter. District growers irrigate their land through a variety of means, including flood irrigation, drip and micro systems.

In dry years, the District may rely on the use of groundwater pumped into its canal system to supplement surface water released from Don Pedro Reservoir.

TID Water Call Center

Open 7 days a week from 7: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(209) 883-8456

TID Irrigation Facts

• Irrigation service area: 307 square miles
• Irrigated acreage: 145,559 acres
• Number of parcels: 7,500
• Number of growers: 4,904
• TID canals and laterals: 250 miles (90 percent concrete lined)
• Irrigation service boundary: Sierra foothills below Turlock Lake on the east, the San Joaquin River to the west, the Tuolumne River to the north, and the Merced River to the south.
• Predominant crops: Alfalfa, almonds, beans, corn, grain, grapes, oats, peaches, sweet potatoes, and walnuts.

Water Rates

TID provides growers with irrigation water based on a fixed charge per acre plus water charges.

Water Usage

Register online to be able to view your current and historic water usage.

Irrigation Tips

TID has put together helpful tips for growers on reducing tailwater drainage and preventing high water tables and localized drainage problems.

Irrigation Rules

Learn about TID's rules for the Distribution and Use of Water, Improvement Districts, Pump Improvement Districts, and Subsurface Drainage Improvement Districts.

Irrigation Standards

A downloadable pdf of TID's Irrigation Construction & Engineering Design Standards to be utilized when constructing or modifying irrigation facilities.

• TID Irrigation Construction & Engineering Design Standards (pdf)