As we prepare to welcome 2026 in just a few months, it’s a good time to reflect on what we accomplished this year. Here are some highlights:

Solar Project

The District completed the installation of a 500kW photovoltaic solar system and is currently waiting for PG&E to finalize their work to bring it online. The District is taking advantage of a special program that allows us to  offset consumed power at 50 different PG&E meters throughout the area. This approach enables the District to operate one large solar farm instead of several small systems, leading to annual savings of $200,000.

Canyon Tunnel Project

OID and South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) broke ground on the Joint Canyon Tunnel Project. This  three-year project involves tunneling two miles to eliminate a problematic stretch of the Joint Supply Canal that is the main water supply conveyance system for SSJID and roughly 40% of OID’s service area. This hazard poses an unacceptable risk to both Districts’ ability to transport water into our respective areas. The total estimated  project cost is $94 million, with OID covering 28% of that cost.

Paulsell Lateral Expansion

This two-year project will enlarge and automate six miles (Phase 1) of the 10-mile Paulsell Lateral canal, which runs from OID’s South Main Canal, under Warnerville Road, and into Paulsell Valley. These upgrades will 
allow OID to move surface water more efficiently and reduce reliance on groundwater pumping.  

This Project directly supports OID’s groundwater sustainability plan and water management goals under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). It also advances objectives in the Modesto Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) by facilitating in-lieu and direct recharge to offset groundwater use, help stabilize local groundwater levels, and improve long-term water reliability. 

Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion prior to the 2026 irrigation season. The Project is funded substantially with a $14.3  million State grant through Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Round 2 SGMA Implementation Grant, one of the largest awarded in the state.

Day-to-Day Stuff

A lot of work happens behind the scenes to deliver more than 247,000 acre-feet of water each year. While the Distribution System Operators (DSOs) deliver and schedule your water, many other departments are involved too, including Construction and Maintenance (C&M), Engineering, Finance, Fleet Maintenance, IT/Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Pesticide, Warehouse, and Water Utilities. The District receives about 845 work orders each year and completes even more, ranging from minor repairs to major projects. 

We’re looking forward to an even more productive year in 2026!