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