Water District 63 Drains
Treasure Valley Water Supply Project
Objective
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The drains in the Treasure Valley are our Thousand Springs.
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Surface water delivery relies on drain return flow.
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Changes to the Treasure Valley landscape (Land use, irrigation practice, delivery systems, operations) impact drain flow.
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Water district 63 is leveraging data collection, automation, and analytics to understand the changes and improve water management in the Treasure Valley.
Benefits to water users
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Develop dashboard and data to see real-time flow trends and projections in drains and Boise River
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Monitor flow in drains that are reused for water supply
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Project Boise River flow shortages before they occur
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Manage and mitigate water shortages
History of the Drains in the Treasure Valley
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In the 1860's-1900's Irrigation systems were built; the Treasure Valley was settled.
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1890's-1900's Irrigation Districts are formed.
1910-1925 Solving the Drainage Problem
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Rising water table resulted in waterlogged lands
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Natural waterways were straightened, deepened, and widened to convey water, and drop the water table.
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This water then returns to the Boise River through the drains and supplies all the natural flow water in the river below Caldwell.