Total Channel Control Pilot Project
As part of TID’s effort to conserve water and have more water available to farmers, TID has commissioned, Rubicon Water to install and pilot a Total Channel Control (TCC) system on a stretch of the Ceres Main Canal from south of Keyes Road to Harding Road.
The TCC Pilot Project will replace all manually operated gates in the pilot area, both side gates and drop structure gates, with automated drops and gates, which will all be controlled using a sophisticated new online water ordering & scheduling software.
Join Us For A Public Workshop
Growers who have parcels within the TCC Pilot Project area are invited to attend an in-person workshop to learn how the project will impact irrigation practices. RSVP by November 30th to reserve the time and date that works best for you. All workshops will cover the same information.
- Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. – Chatom School – 7221 Clayton Road, Turlock
- Wednesday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. – Chatom School – 7221 Clayton Road, Turlock
- Thursday, December 11 at 8:00 a.m. – TID – 333 E. Canal Drive, Turlock
Use the online RSVP button below to reserve your seat. We encourage you to invite, and RSVP for, anyone currently irrigating or assisting in the irrigation of your parcel.
Impacted Irrigation Area
The TCC Pilot Project area starts at the intersection of the Ceres Main Canal and Upper Lateral 3 at Drop 21 and extends to the Harding Drain at Drop 32. The project includes all drop gates between Drops 21 and 32, as well as all currently utilized side gates along this section of the canal. This area encompasses more than 6,800 irrigated acres across 287 parcels.
What is changing in the pilot project area?
The cutting edge TCC Pilot Project involves updating current irrigation infrastructure with an automated system that is remotely controlled. Customers will interact with the system by ordering water online and will be notified of their irrigation schedule by email and/or text messages. The new infrastructure will automatically open and close gates and adjust drops based on the optimized irrigation schedule the online system has developed.
Why is TID piloting the project?
TID is launching the TCC Pilot Project to save water and improve irrigation service to our customers. Through this pilot, TID plans to evaluate the feasibility of automating irrigation deliveries and scheduling services, while limiting unintentional spills to the river. TID’s previous installation of Rubicon In-Channel Automations along Lateral 8 resulted in less water level fluctuations, more consistent flows, decreases in water spills at the end of the system and faster response times to irrigation issues that arose by utilizing remote shut-offs.
What are the benefits?
The TCC Pilot Project will test the ability of the system to:
- Eliminate unintentional spills and water loss
- Increase water delivery reliability and consistency
- Provide real-time information and control capabilities
- Minimize usage of groundwater
- Improve water quality
- Improve water accounting
Pilot Project Mission Statement
The Ceres Main Canal Total Channel Control Pilot Project supports the initiatives of the TID Comprehensive Water Plan by building on existing automation and evaluating the feasibility of automating irrigation deliveries, while achieving water savings and enhancing current service levels. Results will inform future TID decisions regarding the broader implementation of canal automation.