On January 20, the Oneida County Extension Office hosted an Irrigation Seminar

featuring a number of guest speakers. Topics covered during the seminar included renewable

energy systems, irrigation systems inspections, conservation basics, and other issues related to irrigation systems around the county.

Terrell Sorensen, who has managed canal and well irrigation systems for over thirty

years, spoke to the audience about a number of renewable options for operating irrigation

pump systems. Sorensen explained the advantages of solar powered pump systems, which

have the benefit of relatively low cost and maintenance after initial installation.  “Once you get these things in, they can last an awfully long time without a lot of upkeep,” Sorensen said.

In addition to solar powered pumps, Sorensen discussed options such as wind power, which are currently spreading across Bonneville county as well as the Snake River plain west of Oneida county, and micro water power systems, which can generate electricity from streams and creeks, with as little as 3 gallons per minute flow.  

Sorensen advised anyone who might be using solar power to observe a few basic points—keep solar collectors out of the shade, face them south, and make sure that the panels are in the right position to absorb the most light at around three in the afternoon when the sun is strongest.

Most of Oneida county’s residents, however, use conventionally powered systems to run their pumps, and an representative from Rocky Mountain Power spoke about the current irrigation load control incentive programs offered to those using the power grid for irrigation pump control.  During the peak months of power usage, which overlap with the summer watering season, Rocky Mountain Power offers a program by which farmers can voluntarily reduce or shut off their power usage during moments of peak demand.  This results in a financial benefit to those who subscribe to the program for demand response activity.  The season for the program runs from June to September, and applies to the hours between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.  Anyone who participates is given a four hour notification to voluntarily suspend their power usage, and is able to opt out during any deamdn response event.

Sorensen returned to discuss proper maintenance and inspection of various irrigation

elements.  A number of components of irrigation pumping systems can be subject to wear and tear, as well as potentially unexpected issues.  Recently in Bingham County, for instance, a pumping system which had gone to ground resulted in the electrocution deaths of three individuals in a canal.  Motors, turbines, pump housings, and other elements can become dangerous without proper maintenance and inspection.  

Sorensen also spoke about the success of the boat inspection service south of Malad, which has intercepted several vehicles containing invasive mussels.  A display of how the mussels affect existing water pipes was passed around to those in attendance.

Chris Banks spoke to the audience about a variety of options for receiving grant funding for upgrades to irrigation systems under the state BMP (Best Management Practices) program.  The program provides funding for projects within the state that seek to improve water quality and/or efficiency.  Several other programs available to local farmers and ranchers for grant opportunities were also discussed.