Your ditchrider is the first and best person to help you in regards to anything water related. If you happen to get their voicemail, leave a message or send them a quick text. Due to the exponential increase in spam and scam calls, they will not return calls without a message.  Find your ditchrider's number here.

There are many times when ditch issues can be resolved by simply talking to your neighbor. At times, there are issues beyond MID's control, especially on private ditches. These waterways fall under a different classification, and the District cannot participate in these disputes. The District's suggestion in these situations is to contact an attorney knowledgeable in Idaho Water Law to see what your options are in the situation. 

 Idaho’s waterways are owned by the State as a public trust resource.  A water right is the right to divert the public waters of the State and put them to beneficial use.  A water right is a “usufructuary right,” meaning a right to use, as opposed to a right to possess.  The owner of a water right does not own the water itself, just the right to use it.

Water right is a right to water in an irrigation district, and it stays with the ground.   Water shares are portions of a canal company's share of water and may be bought and sold in accordance with the company's set policy.  There is a process to move water right within the district.  This is on a case-by-case basis, so reach out to the office for more information on how that process works. 

Water turn-in and turn-off is regulated by the Board of Directors and varies year to year based on weather patterns, storage availability, and natural flows. For the most up to date information, please check out this page

Prior to using any water, you must be in contact with your ditchrider. All water in any part of the system is accounted for and allocated to a water user. To order water, call your ditchrider.

The assessment is set each year at the October Board Meeting. Assessments are then sent out to water users by mid-November. 

 Minidoka Irrigation District issues an assessment on every piece of ground within district boundaries that holds water rights. Water can be accessed through either surface water (delivered through a ditch or pipe) or shallow groundwater via a sandpoint well. Both of these types of access fall under MID's assessment. 

If you are unable to access water due to eliminated access, please reach out to the office to discuss options for water right transfer. 

According to Idaho Code when a property is three (3) years delinquent, the process of taking the property through tax deed will be initiated. 

NO!! Canals and laterals are fast-moving and COLD. Not only are they deadly, canals and laterals are also private property. By being in them, you are trespassing. 

MID visits local schools each spring talking about the dangers of playing in and around canals. Please check out the outreach program here.

The ditch banks alongside MID facilities are private property. Permission to access the sites must be secured from the land owner.  Using the ditch banks for any reason other than water delivery purposes is considered trespassing and criminal charges can be filed at the discretion of the landowner. 

... get a building permit signed?

 Minidoka and Cassia counties require that the applicable irrigation district sign off on building permits. To secure this approval, please bring or email to the office the following items:

1. Filled out (and signed) permit application
2. Building specifications 
3. Site plan

A copy of these items will be taken so that you may continue collecting signatures. Once MID has the required information, the office will review the request. Upon approval, MID will email the signed permit to the appropriate county and CC the applicant on the email. 

... pipe a waterway on my property?

 The process of piping a waterway is fairly straightforward. The water user/property owner will need to be in contact with the water delivery team (call your ditchrider) to ensure pipe sizing and configuration. After establishing the appropriate sizing, the applicant will need to;

1. Fill out a Request to Alter permit request
2. Sign the permit request in front of a notary
3. Have their spouse (if applicable) sign the request in front of a notary. This is regardless of how the property is deeded. 
4. Receive a list and map of applicable affected water users
5. Have all affected (up or downstream water users) sign an agreement stating they are aware of the project taking place. This must be notarized as well. 
6. Once this has taken place, the request must go in front of the Board of Directors at the monthly meeting. The deadline to submit permits and requests is seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Once the Board has approved the permit, the applicant can move forward with the project. 

... get a new headgate? 

The first step to getting a new or replaced headgate is to get in contact with your ditchrider. Working with them and the Watermaster, they will determine eligibility as well as sizing and pricing. Once the predetermined New Headgate Fee has been paid, the project will be placed on the Maintenance list to be completed as soon as scheduling allows. 

... access the water?

Call your ditchrider. All of our ditchriders are intimately familiar with their rides and are able to help in most circumstances. In many circumstances when water delivery has been eliminated due to subdividing ground, the easiest and most economical method to access water is through a sandpoint well. 

... get weeds on the easement sprayed? 

The land is still owned by the land owner, therefor they are encouraged to spray and maintain the bank. MID attempts to maintain all easements through mowing and spraying noxious weeds. If there is an area that the landowner is requesting help with, please call the office at 208-436-3188. 

... move water from one place to another?

Reach out the the office at 208-436-3188. We are happy to discuss all options that are available to you.