CALIPATRIA, Calif. – The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors saluted the district’s completion of its newest water conservation and operational reservoir located just east of the city, which will conserve 400 acre-feet of water annually and provide water operational flexibility to growers in the valley’s Northend.
The new operational reservoir, recently dedicated by the IID Board as the Lloyd Allen Water Conservation Operational Reservoir, is the first mid-lateral canal reservoir constructed through IID’s System Conservation Program. It has a total storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and is located along the district’s E Lateral Canal — the longest in the district’s delivery system at 13 miles in length.
In addition to conserving water, the new reservoir supports the district’s On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program, providing improved water delivery service to growers.
The IID Board visited the site of the new reservoir on Friday, June 30, as part of a larger tour of water operational facilities in the Valley’s Northend.
Dedicating the reservoir
Prior to the site visit, the IID Board followed tradition in naming the reservoir after a local person who has made meaningful, lifetime achievements for the benefit of the Imperial Valley. During its June 20 meeting, directors unanimously passed a resolution dedicating the new reservoir as the Lloyd Allen Water Conservation Operational Reservoir.
“Today we recognize former IID Director Lloyd Allen as a tireless champion of Imperial Valley’s water rights who served the valley during critical times and was a friend and generous pillar of our community,” said Director Gina Dockstader who, like Allen, occupies the Division 3 seat.
“Director Allen was a dedicated, influential leader in shaping numerous agreements affecting current and future use of water throughout Southern California and along the Colorado River. We are in deep gratitude for his legacy of dedication and leadership to the district,” said IID Board Vice President JB Hamby, who follows Lloyd Allen in serving as the Chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, which Allen held from 2002-2006 as IID’s last member to chair the board.
Allen provided direction during negotiations that resulted in the 1988 Water Conservation and Transfer Agreement between IID and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He also played a key role as part of the negotiating team instrumental in finalizing the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement and the IID/San Diego County Water Authority water transfer program, which were signed 20 years ago this October.
He also represented IID on the California Farm Water Coalition, Association of California Water Agencies, Colorado River Water Users Association, National Water Resources Association and as IID’s member of the Colorado River Board of California where he worked diligently to protect the state’s interests as the board’s Chairman and Colorado River Commissioner for California.
Allen was elected to five terms as IID Division 3 director. He was a longtime Calipatria resident, serving seven years on the City Council. He was also a businessman, farmer and community leader. He passed in May 2006, while he was an active director.
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