Water returns to local canals on April 15, signaling the start of irrigation season for thousands of foothill farmers and ranchers who depend on it each year. As the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) turns the system back on, the annual flow once again brings life to fields, pastures, and gardens across the region.
From ranches and vineyards to family gardens, more than 5,200 agricultural customers rely on this moment. Water released from Scotts Flat Reservoir serves Nevada County, while Rollins Reservoir supplies Placer County—together supporting the irrigation of more than 30,000 acres.
“We’re excited to get the system up and running again,” said NID Assistant Manager Greg Jones. “These flows are what keep our farms and fields thriving every season.”
NID’s canal system is a remarkable feat of engineering rooted in California’s early water history. Capturing snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada, the system moves water by gravity through nearly 500 miles of canals and more than 400 miles of pipes.
That water supports a diverse agricultural landscape shaped by the region’s varied terrain, soils, and microclimates. Many NID customers operate on smaller parcels, often 10 acres or less, growing everything from pasture and hay to orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops.
Preparing for the First Flow
Getting water to customers on April 15 takes months of preparation. In the weeks leading up to the season, NID crews have been clearing vegetation, removing debris, and “mucking” canals to restore depth and improve water quality. These efforts help increase oxygen levels while ensuring the system runs efficiently from day one.
At the same time, the District continues modernizing its structure that measures water flow, paired with radar technology that sends real-time data to operators.
“These upgrades allow us to deliver water more accurately and efficiently,” Jones said. “It’s about improving reliability for our customers while making the best use of every drop.”
Full reservoirs, but a missing snowpack
This year’s irrigation season begins under unusual conditions.
Despite a severely diminished snowpack – just 15 percent of average – NID’s reservoirs are nearly full, thanks to a winter where most precipitation fell as rain rather than snow.
As of April 1, reservoir storage stood at 98 percent of capacity, or 118 percent of average. That contrast has led to questions about the District’s decision to declare a “surplus” water year.
Each year, the NID Board of Directors reviews water supply conditions to ensure there is more than enough water to meet in-district demand before any surplus is identified. That designation allows the District to sell excess water to nearby communities, such as Grass Valley and Nevada City.
“Declaring a surplus this year is the right call,” Jones said. “Our reservoirs are full and the water is already in the system, so we have more than enough to meet in-district demand while responsibly managing any excess.”
NID Water Resources Superintendent Thor Larsen noted: “Although snowpack is well below average, our reservoirs are strong, giving us enough water to meet demand this year. Without typical snowmelt runoff this spring, we do anticipate lower carryover storage, which could affect water supplies next year. That’s why conservation remains important, even in a surplus year.”
Measuring water the Gold Rush way
While NID continues to modernize its system, some traditions remain unchanged.
Most irrigation customers purchase water using a “miner’s inch”—a measurement dating back to the California Gold Rush. One miner’s inch equals 11.22 gallons per minute flowing continuously, day and night, throughout the irrigation season. Water is delivered through standardized boxes and calibrated openings, ensuring each customer receives the precise amount they’ve purchased.
What’s Growing Across NID
Across the District, irrigation supports a wide range of crops. According to NID’s latest crop report, the top crops by acreage include:
- Irrigated pasture (19,547 acres)
- Family gardens and orchards (6,216 acres)
- Hay (825 acres)
- Golf courses (788 acres)
- Non-table grapes (672 acres)
- Nursery – 335 acres … 202 miner’s inches
- Apples – 276 acres … 111 miner’s inches
- Forage (other) – 227 acres … 49 miner’s inches
- Parks – 225 acres … 46 miner’s inches
… and a bit lower on the list, the classic Nevada County Bartlett Pear (117 acres, 35 miner’s inches).
The full list reflects the region’s agricultural diversity, from grapes and apples to alfalfa hay and nursery plants. See the entire “Top Crop” list, click here. https://www.nidwater.com/top-crops-2025
Looking Ahead
For now, water will flow, fields will green, and the irrigation season will begin as it has for more than a century. But this year carries a note of caution. Without the steady runoff typically provided by melting snowpack, the system will rely more heavily on stored water—making conservation and careful management increasingly important.
“We’re in a good position today,” Jones said. “But what happens this spring, right now, will shape what next year looks like.”
This article appears in NID.
