Q: Why Can't I have the water on the same day and at the same time each week?
A: It Depends on the supply and demand.
Q: How long can I have the water?
A: The amount of time needed to irrigate depends on the type soil and the amount of acres to be irrigated.
Q: Why can't I just take the water when I see it in my ditch or flowing by in the canal?
A: Because the water is headed to a patron. Once we have your order it takes approximately forty-eight (48) hours for us to get it to your land from our sources
Q:When are the tax assessments due?
A: Your assessment is sent out around the first part of November and your taxes are due by the 20th of December. We do offer the option of paying your taxes in two installments; with the first half due by December 20th and the second half due on June 20th of the following year. Taxes are paid in the arrears and since we are a taxing district under the laws of the state of Idaho, you are subject of the same code as real property taxes; such as, if your taxes are not paid for three consecutive years, you are eligible for a tax deed to be taken on your property to recover the outstanding taxes.
Q: When is the irrigation season?
A: The beginning of the irrigation season varies each year depending on the weather and the water supply. The end of the irrigation season must end by October 31 but may end earlier depending on the water supply and canal maintenance. Water delivery can not start until Apr 1.
Q: Why do some landowner have to pay the assessment when they can't get water?
A: All land in the boundaries of an irrigation district is under contractual obligations for money borrowed from various sources, including the United State government for construction and maintenance of dams, canals and laterals. Thus the land is held liable for the assessments. In some cases the sub divider of the property has failed to provide any way for water to be delivered to the individual lots. If the sub divider has failed to provide a system for distribution of water to lots within the subdivision, it is the obligation of the owners of the land in the subdivision to provide a method by which water may be delivered to their individual lots from the diversion from the canal or lateral if they wish to use the water.
Q: Can I get out of paying my assessment?
A: Probably, the board of directors must approve all request for exclusion, and the following criteria must be met. You must not be able to receive water and your taxes must be paid current. There is a fee which is set by Idaho Code, to exclude from an irrigation district in the State of Idaho. The fee is $50.00 per acre and a $35.00 filing fee. If the land to be excluded is a lot in a subdivision and that lot is under one acre the fee to exclude is $30.00 per lot and a $5.00 filing fee. A Petition for Exclusion form needs to be signed and notarized before the board will consider the exclusion. This form is available at the irrigation district office. Simply not paying the assessment does not mean you have excluded from the district.
Q: How does an irrigation district differ from a canal company?
A: An irrigation district is a political subdivision of the State of Idaho and is often referred to as a quasi municipality. An irrigation district generally has established boundaries and assessments are based on the amount of land a person owns within the district's boundaries. Canal or ditch companies generally issue stock certificates for shares of the company. The amount a person pays depends on the number of shares that a person owns in the particular company. In some instances, these shares may be transferred to other lands, but in an irrigation district the water is attached to the land and may not be transferred.
Q: Do you have regular board meetings?
A: Yes, the Board of Directors meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am at the district office located at 2585 N Ammon Road. These meeting are open to the public. If you wish to attend you are welcome. If you want to participate in the meeting, you need to be added to the agenda. You can contact the office at 208-522-3102 for that purpose.
Q: Why do you cut down the trees and brush along the canals?
A: Although the trees and brush along the canal may be aesthetically pleasing, they can present a problem for the irrigation district. The purpose of the canal is to carry water to the persons entitled to use the water. The trees and brush reduce the efficiency of the canal and a large percentage of the water in the canal is "lost" due to this vegetation. It has been recorded that an mature tree can use 150 gal of water per day. By reducing the amount of vegetation along the canal bank, more water is available for irrigation.
Q: Who owns the canals and ditches and who maintains them?
A: Community ditches are normally owned by the individuals using the ditch and were created as a result of farm units being divided into multiple ownerships. Normally, it is the responsibility of the landowners using these community ditches to operate and maintain them. Idaho Code states that the water district is not required to deliver water to unkempt ditches. Generally, canals are owned by the irrigation district or at least have a right-of-way along each side to maintain them.
Q: How wide is your right-of-way along canals?
A: Idaho Code states that the right-of-way is whatever is deemed necessary to maintain it. At this time, the irrigation district needs 15' from the decline of the bank (think of where you would drive) to maintain it. This is due to the size of our equipment.
Q: Who owns the water?
A: The water is held in trust by the irrigation district for use on the lands for which the water is designated.
Q: Who can become a director?
A: Any patron of the district can become a director for the precinct that they live in as long as they meet the criteria required by the State of Idaho Statutes. For more information contact the District Office at 208-522-3102 or see Idaho State Statutes 43-201.
Q: What are the assessments for the district?
A: The board of directors "set" the assessments in a board meeting between August 1 and November 8 of each year. The assessment that is set for 2021 is a minimum user assessment for acreage under 8 acres is $100.00. For each acre over 8 acres, the assessment is $12.50 per acre. See State Statutes 43-701
Q: Who needs a pump permit?
A: A pump placed in a canal owned by the district requires a pump permit. A pump permit is not required for private ditches. The permit is only required once and there is no charge. There are specifications for where a pump can be placed in a canal and will be discussed as the permit is issued.
Q: What are the office hours at the district office?
A: The hours for the secretary at the office are from 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. The office is closed for all federal holidays. It might be a good idea to call first due to trips to the bank or other errands. The manager is in and out all day but can be reached by phone at 208-521-1100.
Q: How do water rights transfer upon new ownership?
A: Through the deed at closing
Q: Where do you post notices?
A: All notices are required to be posted in the legal section of the local newspaper. We post in the Jefferson Star and the Post Register. Recently we have posted on HOME page of this web page.
Q: Why do you turn the water off in Oct.
A: Bureau of Reclamation put into effect winter savings to fill reservoirs from Nov. 1 to Mar 31
A: It Depends on the supply and demand.
Q: How long can I have the water?
A: The amount of time needed to irrigate depends on the type soil and the amount of acres to be irrigated.
Q: Why can't I just take the water when I see it in my ditch or flowing by in the canal?
A: Because the water is headed to a patron. Once we have your order it takes approximately forty-eight (48) hours for us to get it to your land from our sources
Q:When are the tax assessments due?
A: Your assessment is sent out around the first part of November and your taxes are due by the 20th of December. We do offer the option of paying your taxes in two installments; with the first half due by December 20th and the second half due on June 20th of the following year. Taxes are paid in the arrears and since we are a taxing district under the laws of the state of Idaho, you are subject of the same code as real property taxes; such as, if your taxes are not paid for three consecutive years, you are eligible for a tax deed to be taken on your property to recover the outstanding taxes.
Q: When is the irrigation season?
A: The beginning of the irrigation season varies each year depending on the weather and the water supply. The end of the irrigation season must end by October 31 but may end earlier depending on the water supply and canal maintenance. Water delivery can not start until Apr 1.
Q: Why do some landowner have to pay the assessment when they can't get water?
A: All land in the boundaries of an irrigation district is under contractual obligations for money borrowed from various sources, including the United State government for construction and maintenance of dams, canals and laterals. Thus the land is held liable for the assessments. In some cases the sub divider of the property has failed to provide any way for water to be delivered to the individual lots. If the sub divider has failed to provide a system for distribution of water to lots within the subdivision, it is the obligation of the owners of the land in the subdivision to provide a method by which water may be delivered to their individual lots from the diversion from the canal or lateral if they wish to use the water.
Q: Can I get out of paying my assessment?
A: Probably, the board of directors must approve all request for exclusion, and the following criteria must be met. You must not be able to receive water and your taxes must be paid current. There is a fee which is set by Idaho Code, to exclude from an irrigation district in the State of Idaho. The fee is $50.00 per acre and a $35.00 filing fee. If the land to be excluded is a lot in a subdivision and that lot is under one acre the fee to exclude is $30.00 per lot and a $5.00 filing fee. A Petition for Exclusion form needs to be signed and notarized before the board will consider the exclusion. This form is available at the irrigation district office. Simply not paying the assessment does not mean you have excluded from the district.
Q: How does an irrigation district differ from a canal company?
A: An irrigation district is a political subdivision of the State of Idaho and is often referred to as a quasi municipality. An irrigation district generally has established boundaries and assessments are based on the amount of land a person owns within the district's boundaries. Canal or ditch companies generally issue stock certificates for shares of the company. The amount a person pays depends on the number of shares that a person owns in the particular company. In some instances, these shares may be transferred to other lands, but in an irrigation district the water is attached to the land and may not be transferred.
Q: Do you have regular board meetings?
A: Yes, the Board of Directors meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am at the district office located at 2585 N Ammon Road. These meeting are open to the public. If you wish to attend you are welcome. If you want to participate in the meeting, you need to be added to the agenda. You can contact the office at 208-522-3102 for that purpose.
Q: Why do you cut down the trees and brush along the canals?
A: Although the trees and brush along the canal may be aesthetically pleasing, they can present a problem for the irrigation district. The purpose of the canal is to carry water to the persons entitled to use the water. The trees and brush reduce the efficiency of the canal and a large percentage of the water in the canal is "lost" due to this vegetation. It has been recorded that an mature tree can use 150 gal of water per day. By reducing the amount of vegetation along the canal bank, more water is available for irrigation.
Q: Who owns the canals and ditches and who maintains them?
A: Community ditches are normally owned by the individuals using the ditch and were created as a result of farm units being divided into multiple ownerships. Normally, it is the responsibility of the landowners using these community ditches to operate and maintain them. Idaho Code states that the water district is not required to deliver water to unkempt ditches. Generally, canals are owned by the irrigation district or at least have a right-of-way along each side to maintain them.
Q: How wide is your right-of-way along canals?
A: Idaho Code states that the right-of-way is whatever is deemed necessary to maintain it. At this time, the irrigation district needs 15' from the decline of the bank (think of where you would drive) to maintain it. This is due to the size of our equipment.
Q: Who owns the water?
A: The water is held in trust by the irrigation district for use on the lands for which the water is designated.
Q: Who can become a director?
A: Any patron of the district can become a director for the precinct that they live in as long as they meet the criteria required by the State of Idaho Statutes. For more information contact the District Office at 208-522-3102 or see Idaho State Statutes 43-201.
Q: What are the assessments for the district?
A: The board of directors "set" the assessments in a board meeting between August 1 and November 8 of each year. The assessment that is set for 2021 is a minimum user assessment for acreage under 8 acres is $100.00. For each acre over 8 acres, the assessment is $12.50 per acre. See State Statutes 43-701
Q: Who needs a pump permit?
A: A pump placed in a canal owned by the district requires a pump permit. A pump permit is not required for private ditches. The permit is only required once and there is no charge. There are specifications for where a pump can be placed in a canal and will be discussed as the permit is issued.
Q: What are the office hours at the district office?
A: The hours for the secretary at the office are from 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. The office is closed for all federal holidays. It might be a good idea to call first due to trips to the bank or other errands. The manager is in and out all day but can be reached by phone at 208-521-1100.
Q: How do water rights transfer upon new ownership?
A: Through the deed at closing
Q: Where do you post notices?
A: All notices are required to be posted in the legal section of the local newspaper. We post in the Jefferson Star and the Post Register. Recently we have posted on HOME page of this web page.
Q: Why do you turn the water off in Oct.
A: Bureau of Reclamation put into effect winter savings to fill reservoirs from Nov. 1 to Mar 31