The Voice photos by C. Colt Crane
Congressman Mike Simpson presents representatives of the Minidoka Irrigation District with a check for $4.55 million for the replacement of the Minidoka Dam Spillway.
By C. COLT CRANE
The Voice
MINIDOKA –Congressman Mike Simpson was on site at the Minidoka Dam Spillway to present the Burley Irrigation District and the Minidoka Irrigation District with over $7 million in loans for repairs to the 102-year-old spillway.
When the area was settled during the 1800s, the Federal government realized the irrigation potential of the Snake River. From 1889 to1890, the U.S. Geological Survey surveyed the Minidoka area for potential sites for large irrigation projects.
After Congress passed the Reclamation Act in 1902 to bring water to the West, the technical and financial means to develop such a large scale irrigation project were realized. The Act also specified that the beneficiaries of the irrigation project (in the form of power and irrigation water) would help to pay part of the construction costs as well as ongoing maintenance and operation costs.
Construction on the Minidoka Dam began in 1904 with several canals and farm delivery systems completed by 1906. The Minidoka Dam power plant began generating electricity for the area in 1909 with Lake Walcott supplying irrigation water during the same year.
With the construction of the American Falls, Island Park, and Grassy Lake Dams between 1927 and 1939, Reclamation had to relocate the city of American Falls and its residents due to its location on reservoir flood lands.
The onset of World War II saw the U.S. government’s relocation of thousands of Japanese-Americans from the West Coast.
“The evacuees built and repaired portions of the Minidoka Project’s canal system and assisted in clearing the land and planting crops,” Bureau of Reclamation records indicate.
At the culmination of the war, the Bureau of Reclamation offered the internment camp buildings and equipment to war veterans including Japanese-Americans who then settled on the project. Today the National Park Service manages the Minidoka Internment National Monument to preserve the historic site.
“We are the beneficiaries of our forefathers,” said U.S. Congressman Simpson of the area’s historical significance.
The Burley Irrigation District received two loans totaling $3 million for a 20-year term at a 3.75% interest rate. The Minidoka Irrigation District received two loans totaling $4.55 million for the same repayment rates and conditions.
Representatives of both irrigation districts and the Bureau of Reclamation expressed gratitude for the loans that will be essential in replacing the spillway as well as two irrigation district head-gates.
“A big thanks must go to the patrons of the districts,” said Chris Ketchum, of the Bureau of Reclamation, “A long-term delivery of these water resources is critical to the local economy.”
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Minidoka reservoirs “store flow of the Snake River system for later irrigation use, electricity production and to reduce flood damage.”
Congressman Simpson expressed his gratitude for the work of the irrigation districts and the Bureau of Reclamation in ensuring the appropriation of funds to replace the spillway.
“It always comes down to funding,” said Simpson, “I want to thank you all for the work you’ve done on this.”
Construction at the dam site will not only consist of replacing the 102-year-old spillway and two headgates but will also incorporate the addition of radial gate structures to provide discharge capacity and summer flows to the downstream habitat complex.
“It’s going to provide security for our area for years and years to come,” said Dean Edgar of the Burley Irrigation District.
Bill Thompson of the Minidoka Irrigation District echoed Edgar’s sentiment.
“I think this is going to be a great asset,” said Thompson.
The Minidoka Dam Project will provide fish and wildlife enhancement as well as outdoor recreation opportunities.
The yearly value of the project is approximately $622 million in irrigated crops, $342 million for the livestock industry, $5.6 million in power generated, $8.8 million in flood damage prevention and over 674,000 in recreational visits which amounts to $25 million in revenue.
Burley Irrigation District representative Dean Edgar is presented with a check for $3 million by U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson. Cassia County Commissioner Dennis Crane was also present to support both irrigation districts.
