5/13/2013

The 2013 3.5” allotment will not go far, however, with communication, scheduling and delivery, it is EBID’s goal to make water last as long and go as far as possible. Stay tuned for further information and visit this website.  Notice: The Water Order Application is not an order for water. This form is intended for irrigation and crop information for EBID only.

Farm Rate Accounts

A release date for water is scheduled for June 1, 2013 and we will run until we are out of water. All farm accounts that intend to use their 2013 surface water should place orders beginning May 28, 2013. The last day to place your orders will be June 21. Get your water orders in early so that EBID can make every attempt to deliver it to you. By placing your order you are telling EBID you are ready for it. If you are making any transfers of water to your accounts, do so before you place your order to ensure you have the water in your account before the time of delivery . At the time of opening in your area, be ready to take all the water allotted and ordered for your account, and understand that the irrigation will be shut down when your 3.5 inch allotment is done. Additional acres will not be added to your original order for delivery. If you have sufficient alloted water, place an additional water order and EBID will attempt to deliver when and if possible. If you are not ready you may not get another chance to irrigate again this season, because the water supply is so limited. Please refer to the operation calendar below for important dates.  You must contact EBID Water Records Monday thru Friday from 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM at 575-524-8003 to place an order for water.

Flat Rate Accounts

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) has scheduled the only small tract irrigation (flat rate, less than two acres) of the 2013 season for ONE DAY - June 8th, 2013.  Due to the lack of rainfall and snowmelt this year, the water supply is extremely tight. The average delivery charge for small tracts is 6” so this will be the only small tract irrigation for the season. Don’t expect to water more than one time. Small tract irrigations will need to be extremely efficient, and water will be delivered simultaneously with farm irrigations. Farm and flat rate irrigators need to be prepared to irrigate when the water becomes available, or they may be passed up. To ensure you get your water, we make the following recommendations:

• Make sure your ditch is clean or don’t expect to get your water.
• If you are on a community ditch, coordinate and schedule with your neighbors so that you will be ready when the water becomes available, and can irrigate continuously to water all interested small tract users (and any farm rate irrigators on the ditch with orders in), then shut off.
• Be ready to take water on short notice. If you are not ready, don’t expect a second chance to receive water.
• Be ready to irrigate at night. Flat rate schedule begins at midnight June 7 and ends at midnight June 8.
• Don’t expect to water on Saturday, shut down for the night, and start up again on Sunday, either for individuals or community ditches.
• Communicate closely with your ditchrider, neighbors on your ditch and your neighboring community ditches.
  

Important Dates

• First Order Day – May 28
• Last Order Day – June 21
• Last Water Ready Day – June 28
• Rincon Valley Diversion – June 2
• Mesilla Valley Diversion – June 6
• EBID Flat Rate Irrigation – June 8 ONE DAY ONLY

These dates are also shown in the attached, printable calendar.

(end of info)

Water Supply Outlook - May 2013