MID’s Sweigard talks drought with state, federal officials
John Sweigard, the Merced Irrigation District general manager, provided local perspective on the state’s historic drought while serving as a panelist during a formal discussion with top water officials from around the nation.
Sweigard was one of dozens of water authorities who gathered last week at Sacramento’s Crest Theatre to discuss the vast effects of the drought, which is in its fourth year, and to propose strategies for limiting the damage to the state’s economy and environment.
Sweigard said farmers understand some pain is inevitable in an arid climate but hope some environmental restrictions can be relaxed on the state’s profoundly limited water supply.
“We have always been good partners with regard to environmental water transfers. We also know there are a lot of ways to use water more efficiently,” Sweigard said after Thursday’s meeting. “There are many inefficiencies in the operation of the reservoir system that are outside our control.”
The discussion was sponsored by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with other groups, including the California Office of Emergency Services, the state Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Sweigard said he focused on illustrating the importance of Lake McClure in the San Joaquin Valley. Merced is one of the nation’s key agricultural communities, according to a report published by the UC Merced Cooperative Extension in 2011.
The discussion came nearly six weeks after MID confirmed no water from Lake McClure would be available this year for crop irrigation, a potentially disastrous blow to Merced farmers that many had long feared and expected. The conference also came on the heels of an order from Gov. Jerry Brown for historic water-use cutbacks statewide.
The region’s scrambling farmers will rely heavily on groundwater from the dwindling aquifer.
“There are going to be many challenges, we all know that,” Sweigard said. “There are some options, some things we can do – dual water uses and other measures – which can improve efficiencies.”
Sweigard said MID authorities would like to make certain reservoir operations more efficient, but their hands are tied by regulatory restrictions.
He said the district this week will formally request the State Water Resources Control Board loosen water flow requirements used to benefit fish at the expense of pushing fresh water into the ocean.
He said the move could save some water at a time when even the smallest amounts matter.
“It is absolutely critical that leaders at the state and federal levels understand our local crisis,” Sweigard said in a prepared statement. “The impacts of the drought are directly harming agriculture and the groundwater-recharge benefit we provide our region and our cities.”
This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 12:57 PM with the headline "MID’s Sweigard talks drought with state, federal officials."