Ridenbaugh Canal renewal
The earliest parts of the Ridenbaugh Canal date back to 1877. The canal draws water from the Boise River, and on October 14th the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District broke ground on a $20 million project to modernize the headworks of the canal, to make it safer and more efficient.
“So today, with the groundbreaking for a project that's been several years in the workforce, we're rebuilding the head works to the Ridenbaugh Canal,” said Greg Curtis, Capital Project Manager for the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District.
“Some of this structure dates back to 1877, Some of it's approaching 100 years old. We've done maintenance on it over the years, but the concrete becomes undermined. There's water seeping under it, so over the past three years we've come up with a plan to replace this structure with another one that takes a lot less manual labor. We can automate the gates,” said Curtis.
“Welcome each of you. We’re appreciative that you've taken the time to join us in our new endeavor of replacing our headworks. Our current one that served us well for about 100 years,” said Donald Barksdale, President of the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District Board.
“Water and irrigation built this state, and it and it still is, at least my opinion, the most important part of this economy, it’s the backbone of the economy,” said Idaho Water Resource Board Member Brian Olmstead.
“Because there's not a there's not a happy future for Idaho if we don't take care of this water resource and develop it and sustain it and enhance it for future generations,” said Olmstead.
“This project highlights the national importance of investment in water infrastructure,” said Roland Springer, Bureau of Reclamation.
“These types of projects are needed, you know, throughout the state, throughout the nation, and we have to work together to make them happen.,” said Springer.
“This is a project where it's about half state, a quarter local money, and a quarter BOR money. That's the way it should be,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “And that's also a good template for the other projects we have going forward,” said Little.
