SW Idaho irrigation district advances canal modernization

Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District crews are on track by April to finish a $20.9 million modernization of the Ridenbaugh Canal diversion on the Boise River, officials said. But a chunk of the southwest Idaho district’s work in the 2026-27 irrigation offseason involves the rest of the 42-mile canal. “We are focused on cleanup of the Ridenbaugh Canal and laterals now that the water is out,” water superintendent David Duvall said. Annual cleanup work includes removing canal-adjacent trees. which “do drink quite a bit of water during the irrigation season,” Duvall said. NMID irrigates about 69,000 acres. Infrastructure includes about 500 miles of canals, laterals and drains. Offseason work typically includes repairing flow-control headgates and repairing or replacing check structures that back up water to facilitate deliveries. The projects “are all just different ways to conserve water and to basically just update our systems and facilities,” Duvall said.

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