Irrigation water shutoff date announced

BASIN CITY — With the end of the growing season looming, the South Columbia Irrigation District will be shutting off water Friday, Oct. 21.

The announcement made Friday, Aug. 12, also came with the announcement that ditchrider services will drop from six days per week to five effective Sept. 17.

Irrigation officials said the reduced service comes as the end of the irrigation and growing seasons loom.

The final day the district will deliver irrigation water to Franklin County and southwestern Adams County will be Friday, Oct. 21, officials said.

All farm unit and water service contract turnouts will be closed for the season on Monday, Oct. 24, the day the irrigation utility begins draining its canal system.

Last year, irrigation water was delivered until Oct. 25 and the canal system draining began Oct. 26.