Dead Ox Pumping Plant is back up & running - June 1st, 2023

• On Friday May 26th around 7:30pm the main electrical panel malfunctioned.  A wire within the bus caused an arc flash & arc blast that destroyed a large portion of the wiring & components in the main electrical panel.  Luckily no-one was in the building at the time of the failure & no one was injured.
• OID staff had diligantly worked to clean components and assess the damage.  After a few days of cleaning & testing, the Crew was able to identify all needed repairs & supplied.  By Thursday June 1st, the 1st Pump was turned on & by Friday June 2nd all pumps were primed & running.
• It was thanks to the hard work & devotion of our Team that we were able to get things back to working order so quickly!  

"Outage Alert" notification list

We have set up a notification process so you can be aware as soon as possible if water delivery has to be interrupted due to major canal breaks, pumping plant malfunctions, or other unexpected interruptions.  If you would like to sign up to be on the "Outage Alert" notification list;

• Visit our website & sign up: Outage Alert Notification List
• Call the Office to be added to the Notification List

 Follow us on Facebook or Instgram for details & updates.

• We have begun posting updates when the Owyhee Dam is changing the amount of flow being released into the Owyhee River based on Irrigation Water orders.  Interested in being notified about these changes & more?  Click the links below to access our pages & follow us.

• Facebook
• Instagram

 Gopher Bounty Program

• Each year we pay YOU to catch gophers within the jurisdiction of Owyhee Irrigation District to help reduce gopher holes that can severely damage the canals & ditches causing damage to surrounding lands as well as possibly inhibit water delivery.  

 Owyhee Reservior Storage

• Ever wonder how to find out how much water the Owyhee Reservior is currently holding?  You can visit our website for a direct link to the details of the Owyhee Reservior & the other major Eastern Oregon storage details:
• US Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region

Next Board Meeting

• A meeting of the Joint Committee of the Owyhee Project will be held on Tuesday, June 20th, at 7:00pm at the district office located at 422 Thunderegg Blvd. Nyssa, Oregon 97913.  A meeting of the Board of Directors of Owyhee Irrigation District will follow.  If you wish to attend by telephone, please call our office by 3 p.m. the day before the meeting to get a call-in number.

Looking for a summer job?

• We are currently looking to hire 1-2 more individuals for our seasonal pumping plant attentant position.  Click the link below for details about the position & to fill out your application!
• We will have a Ditch Rider Position open up at the end of the water season.  We are looking to hire 1 interested individual to start out as a season employee & work towards moving into the Full Time Ditch Rider Position at the end of the season.  Click the link below for details about the position & to fill out your application!
• Owyhee Irrigation Employment Opportunities

Water Usage Reports

• As of 2023 the District will NOT be mailing out the monthly water usage statements.
• Water users will need to view water usage details through the Customer Portal or contact the office for assistance and/or an alternative option to view water usage data.
• Click the link below to access your Customer Portal!

Owyhee Irrigation District Customer Portal

Taking a Dip could be your Last Trip!

Irrigation Ditches & Canals may look refreshing but they could be deadly....

As the weather gets warmer it may be tempting to jump in and cool off in the ditch or canal near your home, BUT don't be fooled by the inviting looking stream! Fast underwater currents, especially in irrigation canals, can knock a person down-even a fully grown adult who is an experienced swimmer. The currents & lining of a canal/ditch are designed to maximize the flow of the water making it extremely difficult to get your footing & the steep, slippery sides make it near impossible to climb out. Even if you could withstand the current & find a place to get out, many of the canals have culverts & grating that can trap a person.

While not as large, irrigation ditches are also hazardous, because they may contain trash or debris like glass that you cannot see from the surface. Pesticides, herbicides, and other pollutants are found in irrigation ditch water, and it is definitely not safe to drink!

Children are especially at risk for drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death for those 1 to 14 years of age. Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.

Every year over a half dozen people drown in irrigation canals & ditches. More children drown in irrigation canals in Idaho then in any other body of water.

It is up to you to teach & watch your kids to be safe around canals & ditches, NEVER take a swim in one.

How can you protect yourself and family from drowning or accidents in irrigation canals and ditches?

• Never let young children go near irrigation canals or ditches without a personal flotation device and adult supervision.
• Never swim in canals or ditches or play around them.
• Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or ditch.
• Never jump in to rescue pets or objects, such as toys. Instead, call for help.

Lets all enjoy the sunny summer months & find a safe, fun place to go for a swim & stay out of the canals & ditches!