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Watering - Agricultural

The District is licensed to provide irrigation water only from April 1 to September 30 of each year, with irrigation valves turned on/off each year by District crews.

The water allotment is different in the Glenmore & Ellison areas due to different soil composition and  water absorption rates. Water meters and master dole valves have been installed by the District on most irrigation valves throughout the District.  The size of the dole valves & meters match the water allotment for each property, and are based on the amount of "A" grade (land with water) land.  "D" grade land cannot be watered. Water allotment for  "A" grade lands is  as follows:

Glenmore users are allowed 4.5 gallons/acre/minute;  

Ellison customers are permited 5.0 gallons/acre/minute.

If a Glenmore customer has10 acres of "A" grade land, the formula would be as follows:

  • 10 acres of Grade “A” x 4.5 US gpm = 45gpm total allowable water

  • To calculate the number of sprinkler or dole valves allowed, divide the number of sprinklers per zone into total allowable gallons per minute. This will provide the dole valve size for the acreage. For example:

  • 45gpm divided by 9 sprinkler heads = 5 gpm dole valve size

  • or 45gpm divided by 15 sprinkler heads = 3 gpm dole valve size

For an Ellison customer with 10 acres of "A" grade, the formula would be:

  • 10 acres of Grade "A" x 5.0 US gpm = 50 gpm total allowable water

  • Using the same formula above, but based upon 50 gpm, the Ellison customer can calculate the dole valve size for the acreage, plus the size of dole valves per sprinkler head.

Agricultural Customers should check and repair any leaks within the irrigation system and  keep all sprinkler heads in good repair. No watering is permitted outside the property or on roadways. Please check to ensure water is not pooling and running onto adjacent lands.

Dole valves are required on each sprinkler head to regulate water flows throughout the on-site irrigation system.  Lack of individual dole valves will result in uneven flow of water throughout the farmer's irrigation lines.  The master dole valve will not help in this regard.

The District is licensed to provide irrigation water from April 1 to September 30 of each year.

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