IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has reached an agreement with the federal government to receive more water in Lake Mead over the next three years.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will provide funding for the implementation of conservation programs through 2026.

This leaves up to 700,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead.

“And we will protect our families from the impending drought or other impacts and provide some stability to the Imperial Valley’s water supply,” said Tina Shields, IID’s water division director.

To achieve this goal, IID will expand the existing Farm Efficiency Conservation Program, which includes field-level conservation measures, and the new Deficit Irrigation Program, which pays farmers to temporarily stop growing their crops, such as alfalfa, bermuda grass and small grasses.

“These measures will save 250,000 acre-feet of water annually. This water will stay in Lake Mead and result in a higher water surface, so the effects of a drought are less likely to cause long-term problems,” Shields explained.

These protections will provide a remaining balance of $250 million in federal funds for Salton Sea restoration.

“Accelerating the projects in the playa and addressing some of the challenges of the Salton Sea was one of our conditions for these additional conservation efforts,” Shields said.

The head of IID’s water department said the company is confident it can meet its commitment over the next three years and avoid negative impacts in the long term.