Boise Real Estate's Pressurized Irrigation
Newcomers to the Boise area often ask “what’s pressurized irrigation water?”, so here’s a brief explanation.
Before we had subdivisions in the Treasure Valley, three dams were built up in the mountains for flood control and irrigation purposes.
They are Arrow Rock, Anderson Ranch, and Lucky Peak.
Then, a network of open irrigation canals (ditches) were built to distribute the water to land owners in the valley with water rights.
Which begat us the term “ditch water”.
Back in the old days, the farmers used their water rights from the reservoirs to irrigate their crops in what was originally arid desert land.
As growth occurred in the Treasure Valley (Boise area), those farmers sold out to developers and their water rights went with their land.
Then, as the developers converted the farm land into subdivisions, they installed pumping/pressurization equipment in their new subdivisions and provided piped, untreated, pressurized irrigation water to each lot in their subdivisions.
Thus, the term “pressurized irrigation water” came into existence.
The advantage of watering landscaping with this water is that it’s cheaper than treated city water.
Ditch water delivery usually starts in April, and ends in the Fall, depending upon how much water is available in the reservoirs.
Some subdivisions provide pressurized irrigation water at no additional cost as part of their homeowner association dues.
Others assess an extra charge, often based upon lot size.
Sadly, several people drown in our irrigation canals each year.
It’s often small children, left unwatched for even a moment, but every now and then we lose an adult who has consumed an adult beverage or three and thinks it’s a terrific idea to go for a swim.
The current in those canals is often strong and the sides of the canals are slippery.
It’s best to keep your kids, pets, and your favorite squeeze away from those canals if you want to have them around in the future.
Now you know all about ditches and pressurized irrigation water.
September 23rd, 2009 Posted in About Our Area
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