FAQS
Q: Why was my irrigation bill so much higher this year?
A: FID currently sells the power it generates at our hydropower plants to PacifiCorp through a Power Purchase Agreement that will expire on December 31, 2025. This pending expiration date requires that FID enter a new power sales contract that will begin on January 1, 2026. Unfortunately, under the rules governing the new contract, our rate for power is going to drop from 8.2¢/kWh to 4.8¢/kWh. FID’s projected annual hydropower revenue is currently $1,826,616 and will drop to $1,085,136. At this time, FID’s only revenue sources are the sale of power and patron assessments. Losing almost $800,000 in hydropower revenue is a significant change to the District’s budget. The challenge for the FID Budget Committee and the Board was to replace the lost power revenue in a way that balances the needs of agricultural growers and small parcels alike. Raising rates in any form is never an easy decision. Moving forward, we will continue to look for alternative sources of revenue in the hope of reducing patron fees, but at this time the only way to keep the District from going bankrupt is to raise the irrigation rates.
Q: What happened during the Power Purchase Agreement negotiations in December 2023?
A: FID management worked with power sales attorneys and PacifiCorp to develop a new power sales agreement. Under federal law, PacifiCorp is required to purchase power from Qualified Facilities like FID, but is not required to pay more than the “avoided cost rate” for the power we supply to the grid. The “avoided cost rate” is defined within the federal law and is basically the lowest possible cost PacifiCorp could pay for another energy source (e.g. natural gas, wind, etc) and doesn’t include the costs of transmission, maintenance, or any other factors. At the time the contract was signed, the “avoided cost rates” were much lower than in past years. FID explored all options available and selected the best possible “avoided cost rate” of the limited options. In addition, FID explored a variety of contract lengths and chose the best option based on the rate schedule (rates slowly improve over a longer contract), lack of anticipated improvements in future “avoided cost rates”, and risk of federal law changes that would remove FID’s access to the market.
Q: Were there protections in the last contract to prevent such a dramatic drop in revenue and are there protections in the new contract to prevent another dramatic drop in revenue?
A: No, the contracts used for power purchase agreements are form documents and do not include protections to prevent drops in revenue.
Q: Does it make sense to keep operating the hydropower projects?
A: While a large hit in the revenue from the hydropower projects has caused a dramatic shift in the budget, FID’s two hydropower plants are expected to generate $1.1 million dollars in 2026. This outweighs the costs of operating the plants. For this reason, continuing to operate the hydropower plants is still reducing the costs patron assessments would need to cover and is providing a benefit to FID patrons.
Q: What is PacifiCorp paying other hydroelectric projects in the state?
A: PacifiCorp is required to pay whatever the “avoided cost rates” are for any power purchase agreement they enter under the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA). Other irrigation districts that produce hydropower, and other small producers, have faced similar changes to their revenue in the last few years.
Q: Can the contract be renegotiated?
A: No, the Power Purchase Agreement that was signed in December 2023 cannot be renegotiated.
Q: Are there other opportunities to sell the power to another entity?
A: In 2023, FID looked at several other options including selling the power to other entities, other contract structures, and options to generate additional power. The FID Board selected the option that was most financially responsible and provided the largest economic gains given the uncertainty of PURPA and future avoided cost rates.
Q: The distribution of the rate increase amongst patrons seems unequitable. How was the distribution of the changes decided?
A: The goals of the rate increase included 1) to keep the district operating while minimizing the risk of bankruptcy, 2) keep the total rate percent increase comparable between all patrons. The increase in account fees (+$200) is generally felt by patrons with small water right acres, while the increase in operation & maintenance fees (+$60 per acre) is generally felt by patrons with large water right acres.
Q: What will happen to my irrigation bill in the future?
A: FID is trying to find additional sources of revenue. At this point we have not found anything that will help lessen the changes to the irrigation rates. The bill for the 2026 season is expected to be the same or increased by 1-3% based on general inflation costs.
Q: Can I temporarily put a hold on my water rights so that I don’t need to pay my bill until later?
A: FID and the state of Oregon do not have the structure or policy established to put a temporary hold on water rights.
Q: How is FID regulated?
A: FID is a Special District of Oregon and follows ORS Chapter 545 (here is the link to ORS 545: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.html ). FID has a Board of Directors made up of five members elected from among FID’s patrons that represent the five different zones of the district.
Q: Who does the FID Board answer to?
A: The FID Board of Directors is mandated to follow ORS 545.
Q: How are board members elected?
A: There are five FID Board members that are elected for three-year terms. There is one board member for each zone of the district. FID announces the elections in the local paper and at the FID office in September each year. If only one patron files for a zone, that patron is deemed the winner. If two or more patrons file for the same zone, patrons vote by mail-in ballot.
Q: Can I use Ice Fountain water to irrigate?
A: FID cannot answer this question. Please contact Ice Fountain for questions pertaining to their system.
Q: I can’t/don’t want to pay my irrigation bill, what happens next?
A: If you simply do not pay your bill and do not communicate with the district (not recommended),
* A lien will be placed on the property.
* The irrigation line will eventually be capped.
If you don’t use and/or want the water rights anymore there is a process to sign off the water rights and remove them from the property. (Without the legal removal of the water rights, your property will continue to be billed). This process consists of:
• Notify FID at least a month ahead of time so we can prepare paperwork.
• Come to the FID office and sign and notarize an affidavit that removes the water rights from your property. (This paperwork can be notarized by another notary, if you live out-of-town).
• Pay a $360 transfer fee.
• Once completed, FID would cancel the bill, close your account, and cap the water line at your property.
Q: Does the removal of orchards in the community have an effect on the rates?
A: The removal of orchards in the community generally leads to large parcels of land being subdivided into smaller parcels. FID is required to modify the water rights for those properties so that the correct number of water right acres are filed with State and associated property descriptions. Landowners who subdivide their property are charged a fee to cover these costs, to ensure that FID patrons at large are not paying for these development costs. Over time, water right acres are removed from portions of property as development occurs. FID works to transfer these water right acres to open land, generally resulting in no to minimal impacts to FID’s revenue.
Q: Has FID considered metering the water?
A: FID has considered metering irrigation water. It would be prohibitively expensive to set up meters for all users in the district. The 2020 Water Management and Conservation Plan estimated it would cost between $500,000 and $1 million to meter parcels under 1 acre (we didn’t look at all parcels). This would just be installation of the meters, not ongoing maintenance or monitoring costs. This added infrastructure and operation costs would increase patron rates.
Q: How does Farmers Irrigation District determine the annual rate for property/land and is there a rate difference for actual farmers/orchardists versus residential users?
A: The Account Fee is a flat rate for all FID patrons that have an account with the District. The Operations and Maintenance Fee and Special Assessment Fee are per water right acre fees. Every account that FID has includes all three fees.
In the past FID's hydropower revenue paid for 100% of the loan payments and a fraction of the cost to run the District. Since our power purchase agreement rates are dropping substantially, we are needing to readjust our revenue. Understandably no one wants their rates to increase, but given FID's current situation, we need to raise the rates to keep the district afloat. Every patron within FID experienced an increase for the 2025 irrigation season. Both the account fee and the operation and maintenance fee were increased this year. The special assessment did not change. It was established in 2022 as a temporary fee and was dedicated entirely to debt reduction. This fee is scheduled to sunset after the 2026 irrigation season.
Q: Why does Farmers Irrigation District charge more for irrigation water than other districts?
A: Every irrigation district is different. Factors such as system configuration (pipe versus open canal, age of infrastructure, engineering, etc..), hydropower operations, water sources, safety factors, environmental factors, and debt service are some of the things that contribute to a district’s rates.
Q: Can I pay my bill in smaller increments?
A: Yes. The FID bill can be paid in smaller increments. It must be paid in full by January 10th in order to receive the 3% discount. Otherwise, the entire amount is due by April 15th.
Q: Was a tiered account fee considered?
A: No, a tiered account fee was not considered.
Q: How can I get involved and advocate for lower irrigation costs?
A: The way to get involved and advocate for lower irrigation costs would be to contact the following individuals regarding the power purchase agreement, the future of PURPA, and avoided cost rates:
• PacifiCorp (Matthew Chancellor: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
• Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board (Bob Jenks: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
• Oregon Public Utilities Commission ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
• Legislators
o Wyden Office: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/email-ron
o Merkley Office: https://www.merkley.senate.gov/connect/contact/
o Blumenauer Office (Blumenauer retires at the end of this year and Maxine Dexter will replace him. However, her office will not be set up until she is sworn-in come January): https://blumenauerforms.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/
o Jeff Helfrich email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
o Daniel Bonham email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Q: Can FID increase transparency and communication with patrons?
A: Yes, it is one of FID’s goals to increase patron communications and transparency. We plan to do this by using an email listserv to get information to patrons through email and the FID website. The information that we plan to include is:
a. Irrigation operations, including start dates, shut down dates, and known maintenance dates
b. Emergency situations, such as shutoffs due to repairs, canal failures, or equipment malfunction
c. Curtailment requests due to drought conditions
d. Anticipated rate changes
Q: Why is there a disconnect between Doxo and FID?
A: Doxo is the online platform FID has been using for the past few years to handle the online payments, and it has not worked well for patrons and FID staff. The District is preparing to shift to a new software platform for online payments next year. We anticipate that the shift will provide a simpler and easier way to pay your bill.
1) When is irrigation season?
April 15th - September 30th. April 15th is the first day that irrigation service may legally begin. Peak water use is usually around mid-July. The season may continue until September 30th. During very wet water years, the District may delay irrigation start-up if soil moisture levels are high and rain continues later into the spring. During the fall, if early rains come, irrigation water may be shut down prior to September 30th. OK, so why do I see water in the irrigation canals before April 15th or after September 30th? Water is introduced into the system in early March and various canals and pipelines are incrementally charged from then until mid-April. The water in the system during the initial fill can only be used for filling sprayers and frost control. This water cannot be used for irrigation. Similarly, in the fall, water is gradually cut back after the end of the irrigation season, with spray provided upon request, until sometime during the last week of October. At any given time, water in the main canal or pipeline is for hydroelectric generation use.
2) How do I determine my water right amount?
Your water right amount is shown on your statement and is determined by the amount of land that can actually be irrigated on your property. The Oregon State Water Master for our region oversees water use in the Hood River Basin, and the water right allotment for the Hood River Basin is 5.6 gallons per minute (gpm) per water right acre with a seasonal volumetric limit of 3.0 acre feet per acre. (An acre foot of water is the volume of water required to cover one acre of land one foot deep, which amounts to nearly 326,000 gallons of water.) Most properties are not fully irrigated. For example, if you have 1.5 acres of land, after subtracting your driveway, house, and outbuildings, you typically would be left with about 1.2 water right acres or 6.7 gallons per minute of water (1.2 water right acres x 5.6 gpm/acre = 6.7 gpm).
3) How much water do I get? Where does it come from?
To determine how much water you may use in gallons per minute, multiply your water right acres by 5.6. For example, if you have 0.25 water right acres, then 0.25 water right acres x 5.6 gpm/acre = 1.4 gallons per minute for you to apply to your land. Your water right never provides enough water to irrigate all of your acreage at once. It is necessary to rotate your sprinklers on a regular basis to cover all your land. By using low flow micro-sprinklers, you will be able to more efficiently irrigate larger areas of your property without exceeding your water right allocation. Micro-sprinklers are available from the District office free of charge to District users in exchange for old, out-dated sprinkler heads. Depending on where you live in the District, your irrigation water comes from the Hood River off of Mount Hood or from the Mount Defiance tributaries including North Green Point Creek and Dead Point Creek. Water for the uppermost lands in the District comes from Kingsley Reservoir, which is filled in the spring from Gate Creek.
4) Why is it important that I use only my allotted amount of water?
State law and District water conservation policy do not allow diversion of water from streams and rivers above the amount stated in the District water rights certificates. If each irrigation district member uses only his or her share of water, then there is enough water to go around, and the District is also able to leave appropriate amounts of water in-stream for fish and ecological needs as well. Using beyond one's water right causes other individuals in the District to go without their full water delivery. Flow regulators are installed on your water service connection to ensure that you receive your proper amount of water. If you try to operate more sprinklers than your water right will allow, your pressure will drop and the sprinklers will not work efficiently. Simply reduce the total number of sprinklers operating at one time until your system is balanced to optimal pressure. Not to be nasty, be please note that tampering with or removing your flow regulator is a violation of District Policy and State law, and you may be subject to steep fines and penalties including restrictions on your water delivery.
5) What is the biggest cause of water supply problems to my property?
Aside from problems associated with trying to use too much water (as described in the question immediately above), a clogged filter is usually the cause of water supply problems to individual properties. If you establish a regular schedule to clean your irrigation water filter, you will typically enjoy a trouble-free irrigation season.
6) What do I do if my water has low pressure or volume?
Assuming you are not attempting to use more than your water right allows (see Question 5, above), first check to make sure your main shutoff valve is wide open. Next, inspect your irrigation filter (after closing both upstream and downstream valves) to ensure that your filter is free of sediment and debris. Clean your filter if needed. If all valves are in the "on" position and your filter is clean (and you are not overusing), then check the "Irrigation Delivery Status" link on our Homepage, or you can call the Irrigation Line at 541-387-5261 for updates. Interruptions in service can sometimes happen due to service line breaks, maintenance work, or, sometimes, natural events such as debris torrents or earthquakes.
7) Why is the irrigation water dirty?
Water to the Farmers Irrigation lower district comes from the Hood River, which has heavy glacial sediment. Furthermore, the large District conveyance canals are not yet fully piped, and leaves and other debris can fall into the canal water as it flows to the District's pressure distribution system. The District screens the water to about 1/8 of an inch on the pressurized systems so some smaller material is still transported to your individual filter. During periods of dirty water, such as later in the summer when glacial sediment is high or we are cleaning the large canals, it can sometimes be necessary to clean your filter several times per day. (This is also a good place to remind you that District water is not for human consumption or other domestic uses.)
8) May my irrigation water be used for any purposes other than irrigation?
The short answer is "no." While District farmers are allowed to use their water for other commercial farming purposes under special separate water rights, most District users must restrict their water use to irrigation only. District irrigation water is untreated and typically contains high volumes of abrasive sediment. It is unsuitable — and unsafe – for human consumption. Don't drink the water, don't play in the sprinklers, don't fill your swimming pool, and don't wash your car with District water.
9) Why is my neighbor able to run more sprinklers than I?
You might think that the short answer here is that we like your neighbor better than you, but that's not true. Assuming your neighbor is not stealing water by using more than his or her water right, and, furthermore, assuming you and your neighbor are both using the same type of sprinkler, the real answer is that your neighbor has a larger water right than you and, therefore, may use more sprinklers.
10) How do I winterize my irrigation system?
To winterize your system, leave both valves and the filter ball valve fully open and drain water from your pipes.
1) How do I change the name and/or address on my property?
Names and addresses are changed in the District's data base only upon receipt of written notice from Hood River County that such a change has been made and recorded with the County. If you have special billing address requirements, please be sure to contact the District office to ensure proper routing of your statements and other District-related correspondence.