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‘It’s Hard to Be Optimistic.’ Here’s What Merced-Area Growers Face After a Dry Winter

/in , , /by /Merced Sun-Starby Abbie Lauten-scrivner

With surface water allocations down and costs up, Merced County’s new irrigation season is reflecting the impacts of statewide drought. Merced County isn’t alone. The nearby Fresno Irrigation District (FID) announced Tuesday that the ongoing parched weather, including a record-dry January and February, led the Board of Directors to postpone its planned start of water deliveries.

 

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Merced County Farms Looking at Drastic Water Shortages With Coming Dry Season

/in , , /by /Merced Sun-Starby Madeline Shannon

Local irrigation district officials and Merced County farmers are worried the current wet season isn’t wet enough to yield more than one acre-foot of surface water for many local farmers in the coming dry season.

During a Merced Irrigation District board meeting this week, officials discussed how to grapple with the expected water supply shortages this year due to the drought and water allocations from Lake McClure, which the MID board decides every year.

 

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