Skagit PUD commissioners approved the continuation of seasonal water rights transfers to local irrigation districts and farms for the 2026 irrigation season. The approval marks the final year of a successful three-year pilot program that has provided agricultural water to farmers in the Skagit Valley.

General Manager George Sidhu will execute interlocal agreements with Drainage and Irrigation Improvement District 15 and Consolidated Diking Improvement District 22, along with a water service agreement with Skagit Valley Farm.

Successful Partnership Continues

The pilot program, which began in 2024, allows the PUD to transfer surplus water rights to irrigators during the growing season.

The irrigators requested renewal of the agreement for 2026 based on the success of the program over the past two years. "The program has been refined annually based on operational experience, with all three irrigation entities successfully using the metering systems and data access software," Sidhu said.

How It Works

Under the agreements, irrigators can access PUD water rights from May 15 through October 1, though the PUD retains the ability to delay the start until June 1 if needed to meet drinking water supply needs at Judy Reservoir.

Key terms of the 2026 agreements include:

• Irrigators can pump up to maximum flow rates at any time of day, regardless of tidal conditions.
• All irrigation pumps must use flow meters provided by the PUD to track usage
• Each participating entity pays a $5,510 water transfer fee (up 5% from 2025, consistent with other PUD rate increases).
• The base fee includes 300 acre-feet of water; additional usage is billed at $14.89 per acre-foot.
• Additional diversion locations cost $1,100 each.

The fees cover administrative costs, metering equipment, and operational expenses related to the water transfers.

What's Next

"The 2026 amendments to the agreements will be executed, and seasonal change applications will be submitted to the Department of Ecology in early 2026," Sidhu said.

"The 2026 irrigation season will close the pilot program that provided exclusive temporary irrigation water to District 15, District 22, and Skagit Valley Farm. A new program will be considered for future years."

With three years of operational data now available, staff will develop recommendations for a future program that could potentially expand to additional agricultural customers in Skagit County. The district must balance any expansion with its own water supply needs and regulatory requirements.

"The Department of Ecology has been supportive of the pilot program," Sidhu said. "Ecology views it as a successful model for beneficial use of water rights that could be replicated elsewhere in Washington state."

The program allows the PUD to maximize beneficial use of surplus water rights while maintaining reliable drinking water service to customers.