NEWS RELEASE
Bill Stretch, General Manager
(559) 233-7161
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2025
The Fresno Irrigation District (FID) Board of Directors made the decision at a special meeting on March 20 to begin scheduled water deliveries to agricultural customers on April 1. FID will begin filling the canals late-March in preparation for a successful delivery season.
It is too early to tell how long the irrigation season will last, but FID projects enough water supplies to extend irrigation deliveries at least through the month of July. FID will have a better estimate on the length of the irrigation season by early summer and will provide updates to users as soon as they are available. This year, FID will prioritize direct deliveries to customers over groundwater recharge in basins in an effort to maximize the length of the water delivery season.
The March 1 state-wide snow survey indicated that the snow water content in the Kings River watershed was 60 percent of the April 1 average, slightly less than at that same time in 2024. However, significant storms in March after this snow survey added much needed snowpack to the Kings River watershed, increasing the estimated April through July projected Kings River runoff to be at least 70 percent of historic average (2024 was approximately 100 percent of average). Additional future storms will further increase this projected runoff amount. FID continues to track updates from the Airborne Snow Observatories (ASO) models, National Weather Service and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Pine Flat Reservoir on the Kings River, the source of the majority of FID’s water supply, is at 62% of capacity due to stored water being carried over from the prior 2024 water year. An April 1 irrigation season start will help protect FID from losing stored water to flood releases as a result of the upcoming spring snowmelt.
“Prior to March, the only significant storms to reach our region occurred in November and mid-February, and we experienced an extremely dry December and January. March storms added much needed snowpack to the Kings River watershed,” said Bill Stretch, FID General Manager.
FID’s Kings River entitlement depends upon each day’s natural river runoff. While FID receives most of its surface water supplies from the Kings River, FID also receives San Joaquin River supplies via the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project. The Bureau has announced a 80% allocation for CVP Friant Class 1 contractors and no Class 2 allocation at this time.
FID urges agricultural customers to contact their Water System Operators (WSO) for all water delivery scheduling questions and concerns. Questions may also be directed to the District office by phone at (559) 233-7161.
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Since 1920, the Fresno Irrigation District has proudly delivered water to agricultural and urban communities within Fresno County. Today, the District encompasses over 250,000 acres of prime farmland and municipal areas, including the cities of Fresno and Clovis. As the premier irrigation district in the Central Valley, the District is extensively involved in a host of local, state, and federal water issues.