The Pathfinder Irrigation District announced on May 4, it will begin the transfer of Inland Lakes water from Guernsey Reservoir to Lakes Alice, Winters Creek, and Minatare through the Interstate Canal on May 15.
“We plan on bringing water down to the inland lakes and hitting them around the 19th or 20th of May,” said Rick Miller, general manager at Pathfinder Irrigation District.
The lakes, especially Lake Minatare, are popular summer destinations with space for boating, fishing, and camping. In wet years, Lake Minatare will lose its beach area to water, but not this year.
“The lakes are going to be lower this year. We have about 42,000 acre-feet to transfer down, but only get half of that down here,” he said. “The lake (Minatare) will not be quite full, but to the edge of the trees.”
It has been a dry winter, and the district will start deliveries of early irrigation water to its customers around May 23. This will also depend on the district’s ability to get laterals cleaned for delivery and the water demand.
“It’s going to be strictly on demand. If we don’t have enough users call in for the early run on the 23, then we have to be very cautious on how we manage the water,” Miller said.
He added the users will get charged for any water they use in the early run. The District anticipates having water available for delivery for approximately 14 days, depending on demand and water levels in the lakes.
The Bureau of Reclamation projects an allocated year for the 2022 water season. The projected water supply will come from the spring snowmelt and runoff and is not yet accounted for in the reservoirs.
The District expects to have water available for 75 to 80 days using the forecast put out by Reclamation. The District will adjust its plans accordingly if warranted.
