IRRIGATION ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE STUDY
(Project No. EI.D4.4)
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
This is a report on the findings of a three-year study commissioned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The study reports on various issues affecting irrigation districts and mutual canal companies in the intermountain region (Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming).
A key issue is the rapidly increasing cost of operating an irrigation district or canal company. These costs are financed through annual land taxes or water assessments paid by water users, which in turn are paid with farm income. The study also reports on (1) various aspects of the daily governance and management of these two principal forms of nonprofit irrigation enterprises, and (2) current policy concerns voiced by representatives of these enterprises while conducting fieldwork for the study.
Finally, as part of the overall study, an additional in-depth analysis was conducted on conservation investments made by irrigators on irrigated farms served by irrigation districts and canal companies. This was accomplished through a cooperative agreement with U.S.D.A.'s Economic Research Service. The analysis of conservation investment is reported in an accompanying volume.