Irrigation Season Estimated Target Flow Dates and Rates - Annual Ramp-up Schedule

-April 1 (depending on weather and demand)............0% to 30% flow rate delivered (~2 gpm/ac)

-May 1 .....................................................50% flow rate delivered (~3.5 gpm/ac)

-May 15 - Sept 14..........................100% flow rate delivered (~5-7 gpm/ac)

-Sept 15...................................................50% flow rate delivered (~3.5 gpm/ac)

-Oct 1- 31 (depending on weather and demand)........30% to 0% flow rate delivered (~2 gpm/ac)

2025 Shutdown Date is set for Oct. 24th

*Flow rates are "targets", always subject to change, and not guaranteed. Rates may vary slightly from patron to patron depending on the circumstances. Please call the office for questions or concerns.

The Irrigation Season

Swalley's Irrigation Season runs from April 1st to October 31st. We typically start turning in stockwater flows for cattle and other livestock around the last week in March and then roll right into our irrigation season on April 1st per our annual ramp-up schedule. Delivery rates may vary across the District and some patrons may experience water shortages during the spring and fall 30-50% ramp-up & ramp-down periods. Shortages may be especially evident during warm, dry weather in April, May, and September. We do not ramp up our entire system all at once. We are demand-based, and typically startup our Main Canal/Pipeline first and then open up the branch-laterals as customers call in and request water. If it's cold and wet in the spring, we may delay running water until we have substantial demand, so it's important that customers call and let us know what their needs and concerns are. When ramping the system down in the fall, we also operate on-demand, and if enough water users on a branch-lateral request to be turned off early, we may need to shut down whole portions of our system early.  Finally, we do not make changes or adjustments to customer flows during the weekends unless it is a true emergency. If you wish for us to change the flow at your delivery gate please think ahead and call in your change requests early in the week, Monday through Thursday, so that we have at least 24 hours to make the necessary adjustments prior to the weekend.

Patron/Customer Maintenance Responsibility

Swalley delivers water to your delivery gate located on a District-owned canal or pipeline. Beyond the Swalley owned canal or pipeline, the conveyance leading to your property is usually privately owned and maintained by you and your neighbors -- unless there is some other sort of arrangement, as is the case for Avion customers and other private water user groups. Swalley does not maintain these privately owned irrigation systems beyond the initial delivery gate. Clogged private ditches and pipelines, grates, pumps, silted-in ponds, and/or filters are the joint-responsibility of landowners to keep free and clear and in good working order. The cleaner your private infrastructure is, the more efficient your flows will be. Please call the District office with any questions or concerns. We are here to help, discuss your concerns, and advise.

*Note: Turning water into and out of our system is always weather-dependent and per demand. Once we start turning flows in for the irrigation season, typically April 1st through April 8th, it may take 2-3 days for water to reach your private system. As we transition into summer, flows increase from 30% to 50% to 100%, and then in the fall, flows decrease from 100% to 50% to 30% to 0% with the same 2-3 day period of adjustment.  Your private ditch or pipeline clean-outs and irrigation maintenance during the fall and early spring shoulder seasons are key to you enjoying a reliable water delivery.

Privately owned ditches and pipelines are not the District's responsibility to maintain, clean, or upgrade. Neglect of these private systems is the #1 reason that customers experience water delivery shortages and inefficiencies.

---> Winter 2025 - 2026 STOCK RUN SCHEDULE <---

-No Stockruns are currently planned during the winter 2025 - 2026 off-season. Please let us know if you have any concerns.

*Any planned stock run dates are subject to change without notice and stock runs may be cancelled or modified at any time due to construction, maintenance, winter weather, inadequate river-levels, and/or for safety reasons. Stock runs are not guaranteed events and patrons are not charged for stockwater. In the past the District has had some patrons ask for refunds on their annual assessment when a stock run does not occur. Since the District does not assess charges for stock runs, nor can it guarantee them, reimbursement requests are not possible. Patrons should call and request stock water if needed, and to see if it is available. We will never assume that anyone needs stock water. Good communication with the District Office and our Field Crew is key if you would like to request a stock run. The latest updates will be posted here, but for more real-time info please call us.

*STOCKRUN NOTICE: In the event stock runs are planned and posted, they may be cancelled, delayed, or modified at any time due to weather, maintenance, safety concerns, and or inadequate river-levels. Stock runs are not guaranteed events and patrons are not assessed charges for stockwater. Always have a backup plan if you have stock that need water during the winter. Please contact the office for more info or concerns.