History

Organization

Columbia Irrigation District was organized under Title 87 of the Revised Code
of Washington as a quasi-municipal corporation. It exists primarily to deliver irrigation water to over seven thousand parcels and approximately ten thousand acres in an efficient manner at the lowest possible cost consistent with good management practices. A five member board of directors has ultimate responsibility for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the District. The directors are landowners elected to alternating three year terms. The Board hires a Secretary/Manager to carry out the CID policies and general management of operation. CID has approximately 13 employees who include management, clerical, and supervisory personnel. Field employees include ditchriders, maintenance workers and heavy equipment operators.

To date the CID has operated with one of the oldest water rights from the Yakima River. Proration of water usage with the CID for purposes of honoring a more senior right has not occurred.

History

  • 3/2/1853 – Territory of Washington established.
  • 1/21/1865 – Yakima County created (included Benton County area).
  • 9/24/1888 – Formation of the Yakima Irrigating & Improvement Company.
  • 11/11/1889 – State of Washington admitted to United States.
  • 3/8/1891 – Means to document water right claims by posting at point of diversion was provided.
  • 8/6/1891 – Water right priority date.
  • 7/11/1891 – Water appropriation filed by Yakima Irrigating and Improvement Company for diversion right from Horn Rapids Dam.
  • 1893 – Yakima Irrigating and Improvement Company constructs canal. Canal known as Columbia Irrigation District canal in vicinity of Kennewick.
  • 10/12/1893 – Yakima Irrigating and Improvement Company conveys canal system and water appropriation to Dell Haven Irrigation District. (Filed 11/12/1894)
  • 1/1/1898 – Formation of Northwestern Improvement Company.
  • 12/23/1901 – Property and rights of Dell Haven Irrigation District sold to Northwestern Improvement Company
  • 4/8/1902 – Formation of Northern Pacific Irrigation Company.
  • 7/1902 – Reclamation Act enacted by Congress of the U.S. established Reclamation Service.
  • 2/26/1904 – Northwestern Improvement District interests transferred to Northern Pacific Irrigation Company.
  • 3/8/1905 – Benton County established.
  • 12/3/1917 – Formation of Columbia Irrigation District.
  • 7/22/1918 – Northern Pacific Irrigation Co. transfers interests to Columbia Irrigation District.
  • 1/31/1945 – Federal District Court Judgment commonly called “1945 Consent Decree” defines quantities of water which irrigation districts are entitled to in the Yakima Basin.
  • 6/6/1945 – State of Washington enacted ground water code.
  • 4/19/1985 – Washington, Department of Ecology vs. James J.Acquavella Court Case begins (Yakima River water rights adjudication).
  • 1996 – Flood
  • 1997 – Horn Rapids Dam, a wood crib dam replaced with concrete.
  • 5/6/1997 – Horn Rapids Dam renamed Wanawish Dam.
  • 6/8/2001 – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit NPDES Permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology to the District 6/8/05 (Limits the use of chemicals in the canals.)
  • 11/8/2003 – Report of the Court concerning water rights for the Columbia Irrigation District.