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Stockton East Water District Ag-Water Report for Fall-Winter 2009/2010 Click to jump to an article:
We had enough surface water (New Hogan & New Melones Reservoirs) to make it through another irrigation season. The storage at New Hogan on October 1, 2009 is expected to be approximately 62,000 AF. The level has not been this low since 1994, when it was at 40,636 AF. Prior to then, New Hogan was also lower on this date in 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, and 1977. New Melones storage levels have been stable for the last two years. Surface water users are to be congratulated for working with water district staff in order to conserve the water that was available this year and making it last for this irrigation season. With your help, we met our goal, thank you! Climatology experts vary in their predictions for the coming winter. If we receive another average year of precipitation, the storage in New Hogan Reservoir is expected to increase from the estimated 62,000 AF projected for October 1, 2009 to about 145,000 AF by April 1, 2010. That would be sufficient to get us comfortably through the next irrigation season. Those who have read this type of message before know these estimates are based on average inflow figures, and only time will tell how the 2010 irrigation season will play-out. Stimulus Funding & Construction Progress Congress and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have provided Stockton East Water District (SEWD) with funding support in the amount of $278,000 from the current budget and stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in the amount of $835,000. Our Congressional representatives (McNerney, Cardoza, Boxer and Feinstein) all should be thanked for this support and for recognizing the need to fund this vital program. Working with the USACE regional office in Sacramento, SEWD is developing plans to increase the acreage of land it has available for direct recharge of available surface water. A 35-acre site has been prepared for construction and the USACE plans to begin installing pipelines and building recharge basins soon. This site will complement the existing 60-acre site put into operation in 2003. The remaining funding is designated for the design and construction of additional recharge facilities, construction of recovery wells for use in dry years, and construction of distribution pipelines to bring water to agricultural lands not currently accessible to surface water. Lower Calaveras River Anadromous Fish Passage Improvement Proj We are pleased to announce that the District has received a matching grant for $462,395 from the US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. This grant and other local funding sources will allow barriers to anadromous fish migration to be removed at the first three identified sites. The Budiselich flashboard dam, the Central California Traction Company bridge over the diverting canal and the Caprini low flow crossing will be reconstructed. Permitting is under way and it's anticipated construction will begin soon. Passage structures will consist of "v" shaped rock weirs designed to allow the fish to travel upstream in a way in which they are accustomed. Stockton East Water District Policy Regarding the Peripheral Canal (PC) In case you did not know, SEWD has taken a position regarding the PC. SEWD encourages statewide and regional planning that focuses on regional self-sufficiency, that state funding be a reward to regions that can be self-sufficient, and opposses any ballot initiative or legisalation that includes an isolated conveyance facility through the Delta. This position is consistent with other local and regional water interests. If you would like a copy of Resolution No. 07-08-12, please email us at sewd@sewd.net or give us a call at 209-948-0333. SEWD Honors Employees for 25+ Years of Service On Friday, September 18, 2009, SEWD honored two employees for 25+ years of continous service. Mike Price, Irrigation and Conveyance System Operator began employment November 2, 1983 totalling 26 years of service and John "Eddy" Morley, Water Quality Control Analyst began employment April 2, 1984 totalling 25 years of service. The celebration included a BBQ luncheon prepared by the district's Board of Directors, certificates of service recognition from Federal, State and local public officials and stories of camaraderie shared by fellow staff. The SAWS Water Education Program went to college over the summer...Kid's College, that is! Sponsored by San Joaquin Delta College, Kid's College is a unique summer program that offers children and teens academic and enrichment workshops designed to teach new and meaningful skills, develop new interests and hobbies and excite students about learning. When SAWS was invited to participate in this innovative program last spring, we saw it as a fantastic opportunity to deliver our message of water awareness and conservation in a fun and engaging way, so we put together a two-day workshop entitled "The Wonders of Water." Using visual aids, educational videos and games, map interpretation and hands-on activities, our water education specialists helped students understand water's scientific properties and the concepts of water treatment, distribution and conservation. We are pleased to report that "The Wonders of Water" was enthusiastically received and has been invited to return to return to Kid's College in the summer of 2010. What are the 2009 water rates? On or before April 15th of each year, at a meeting open to the public, the district examines all water assessments and determines the rates for the then current year. The 2009 groundwater rate is $4.58 per AF, the surface water rate is $20.00 per AF, the domestic rate is $37.50 per unit (occupied or not); M&I rate is $144.71 ($3.60 for groundwater production assessment and $141.11 for the rate equalization). When is the bill due? Payment is due upon receipt. Unpaid progress bills become past due after October 31, 2009. Why do I have to fill our the Owner's Water Use Statement every year? The district requires all Owner's Water Use Statements (OWUS) to be submitted by January 15th of each year. The district uses the OWUS to determine your groundwater assessment/surface water bill. The prior year information is pre-printed on the form. Please review it for accuracy, make any necessary changes and return the completed form with your signature, date, email address and telephone number to the district.
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Stockton East Water District Mailing Address: Treatment Plant Site: (209) 469-3335 Ag Call-In |
