TID agrees to early water release for farmers starting Jan. 19

Farmers in the Turlock Irrigation District will get rare winter deliveries thanks to a board vote this morning.

Directors approved refilling the canals to deal with the severe lack of rain so far this season.

Deliveries will start Jan. 19 and likely last about 10 days, depending on the weather. Farmers will pay $15 per acre-foot but will not have this water counted against their 2012 allotments.

The Modesto Irrigaton District, which like the TID taps the Tuolumne River, already has started to fill its canals for what is expected to be two weeks of deliveries.

The Oakdale Irrigation District has made its large wells available to farmers, most of whom are close enough to benefit.

The board of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District also was to consider winter deliveries today.

Farmers also can use private wells if they own them, though pumping can be expensive.