District News

BBID Seeks Emergency Funding Following Pump Station Failure Threatening Water Supplies

Byron, CA (April 30, 2025) ­– The Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) Board of Directors has declared an emergency following the failure of the aging Wicklund Cut Pump Station. The failure threatens water supply to thousands of acres of farmland.

Critical Infrastructure Failure

The main electrical system for century-old Wicklund Cut Pump Station failed, damaging critical pumps and controls.

Half of the pumping capacity is currently lost. With no replacement parts available for the 100-year-old pumps, water deliveries to 6,500 acres of farmland and over 100 growers in BBID’s West Side Service Area are at serious risk.

Temporary emergency measures are in place, including the use of a backup generator to power the remaining pumps.

“These emergency measures are merely a temporary fix. They keep water flowing for now, but they don’t address the root of the problem — we’re depending on a century-old facility to serve today’s needs,” said BBID General Manager Ed Pattison. “This crisis underscores the critical need for long-term investment in a fully modernized Wicklund Cut Pump Station — a project we remain committed to and continue actively pursuing funding to bring to life.”

Diesel generator powers operations until emergency repair is complete.

Economic Impact and Urgent Need

The affected farmland generates approximately $7 million annually from high-value crops and orchards, and supports numerous related industries. A complete failure of the remaining pumps could devastate the agricultural economy of the region during peak growing season.

The Wicklund Cut Pump Station is the sole source of water for BBID’s West Side Service Area and is being evaluated as a possible critical backup water supply for the City of Mountain House, which is under a state mandate to secure a secondary water source during periods of curtailment of BBID’s rights.

An aerial view of the Wicklund Cut Pump Station.

Call for Emergency Support

BBID is actively seeking emergency funding assistance from federal and state agencies to offset the cost of emergency repairs while expediting the development of a modern, reliable replacement facility.

In 2023, BBID and the City of Mountain House began planning to replace the century-old pump station with a modernized facility to serve the area for generations to come. BBID is seeking grant funding to help pay for the $45 million pump station replacement project. In the meantime, the District remains committed to securing an immediate solution to prevent the interruption of water deliveries to growers this summer.

“We’re racing against time,” Pattison added. “We need our partners at all levels of government to recognize the urgency of this situation and join us in taking action.”

WATCH: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wicklund Cut Pump Station Replacement Project (May 2024)

April 30, 2025 in District News

Reclamation Announces Initial CVP Allocation, “Maximizing Water Supplies”

Sacramento, CA (February 25) – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR or Reclamation) announced on Tuesday increased water supply allocations for the Central Valley Project (CVP).

Reclamation issued an initial water supply allocation of 35% for South-of-Delta CVP contractors, including the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID), and an initial 75% allocation for its South-of-Delta Municipal and Industry (M&I) contractors, including those in the BBID’s service area.

The 35% South-of-Delta allocation is up from last year’s 15% allocation, with similar hydrological conditions. BBID is encouraged by the USBR’s initial action this year, but recognizes much remains to be done to properly balance the needs of California’s people, farms and the environment – and maximize the state’s ability to capture, store and distribute water supplies.

Below is a portion of Reclamation’s announcement, which can be read in full on its website:

The initial allocation to be provided to California farmers on the west side of the Central Valley south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta is more than twice what the initial allocation was in 2024, a year with similar hydrology. In addition, the Trump administration is investing more than $315.5 million to create new water storage at the future Sites Reservoir and at the existing San Luis Reservoir.

Reclamation, as directed through President Trump’s Executive Order 14181, has worked to maximize water supply, particularly for south-of-Delta contracts. Reclamation continues its dedicated efforts to deliver more water and produce more hydropower as a commitment to California farmers and communities. Reclamation will continue to maintain full pumping whenever possible at the Jones Pumping Plant to move water to parts of California where it is needed most and provides the greatest economic value to the entire country.

Water supply allocations are based on an estimate of water available for delivery and reflect current reservoir storage, precipitation, and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, as well as contractor-rescheduled water from the last water year.

“Recent atmospheric rivers and the good condition of most of our reservoirs going into this water year have benefited our water supply outlook; however, the San Joaquin Basin has experienced critically dry conditions this winter,”said California-Great Basin Regional Director Karl Stock. “Initial allocations reflect this significant variation across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.”

Read more here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5107.

February 26, 2025 in District News

WATCH: Using Every Drop (VIDEO)

WATCH: In partnership with its growers, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) is modernizing its century-old water delivery system and implementing new methods to grow more food with less water. At the same time, BBID’s service area is evolving due to the pressures of urbanization.

In this video, see how the District plans to explore water transfers as a means to fund critically necessary upgrades to its aging infrastructure, securing the future of water reliability for farmers, ranchers and rapidly-developing communities.

December 11, 2024 in District News, District Videos

VIDEO: BBID Dedicates District HQ in Honor of Beloved Former GM

WATCH: In a touching ceremony, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) Directors, staff and local community members formally dedicated the District Headquarters building in honor of former General Manager Rick Gilmore.

Gilmore led the District for nearly 25 years before his untimely passing in May 2023.

In this video, some of those who knew him best remember his dedication, loyalty and service to BBID.

July 17, 2024 in District News

WATCH: BBID Kicks Off First Phase of Project to Modernize Century-Old Pump Station

WATCH: A project that will serve growers for generations to come is underway. At last month’s regular board meeting, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District’s (BBID) Board of Directors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the century-old Wicklund Cut Pump Station. The District plans to modernize the pump station to secure water reliability for the future.

The District recently completed a new building on the property to support its dedicated staff.

June 3, 2024 in District News, District Videos

BBID to Dedicate HQ in Honor of Former GM

Byron, CA (May 7, 2024) – The Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) has announced it will dedicate its District Headquarters in honor of former General Manager Rick Gilmore.

A ceremony in Mr. Gilmore’s honor is scheduled for Thursday, June 13th at BBID.

Mr. Gilmore was a beloved leader of the District and a titan of California’s water industry. He passed away last May at the age of 61. His steadfast tenacity and devotion to protect agriculture and multi-generational farmers made a significant, lasting impact not only in the Tracy area, but across the state.

In 1983, Rick joined the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) as a ditch tender. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and in 1999 he became BBID’s General Manager. Rick served dutifully in that capacity until March 2022, when he went on a medical leave of absence.

Details for the dedication ceremony are below.

GilmoreBuildingDedication_Final
May 7, 2024 in District News

BBID Announces Opportunity to Join Leadership Team

Byron, CA (January 2, 2024) – The Byron-Bethany Irrigation District has announced it is seeking qualified candidates for its vacant Assistant General Manager position.
This candidate will be a member of the District’s high functioning management team and will have management responsibility over the District to ensure safe work practices along with ensuring overall service quality and accuracy.
The District is seeking a working executive who will roll up their sleeves and assist with carrying out policy and the day-to-day operations of the District.
The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with proven judgement, management skills, and integrity working within the California water industry.
January 5, 2024 in District News

BBID Mourns Loss of Longtime General Manager

Rick Gilmore, age 61, of Stockton, passed away on May 14th, 2023, of natural causes.

Rick was born June 25, 1961 in Paragould, Arkansas, one of two boys, his brother David passed in 1997. He is fondly remembered for his kindness and fierce loyalty, his wry sense of humor and for his willingness to stand up and fight for what he believed in. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Schultz, and nephews, Steven (Liz) Gilmore and Kevin Gilmore.

Rick was as a titan of California’s water industry. His steadfast tenacity and devotion to protect agriculture and multi-generational farmers made a significant, lasting impact not only in the Tracy area, but across the state.

He worked his way up from humble beginnings. In 1983, Rick joined the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) as a ditch tender. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and in 1999 he became BBID’s General Manager. Rick served dutifully in that capacity until March 2022, when he went on a medical leave of absence. Rick was an encyclopedia of knowledge about BBID and could recite, from memory, anything from the intricate details of water policy, to the innerworkings of District facilities, to moments large and small from the District’s 100-plus year history. Rick was also very active in a number of water related organizations such as the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority, and others.

Rick was a beloved, larger-than-life figure in the local community and amongst his colleagues in the water profession. He cared deeply for his family, colleagues and the community BBID serves, and changed countless lives with his incredible energy, generosity, and support. Rick referred to the team of BBID’s consultants simply as “the BBID Family,” and hosted numerous dinners and holiday parties at District Headquarters with his partner, the late Kelley Geyer.

In the midst of historic drought in 2015, Rick was the steady hand that guided the District in its successful challenge of the State Water Board when it curtailed BBID’s water supply. BBID’s unprecedented, resounding victories before the State Water Board and Santa Clara Superior Court strengthened the oldest water rights in California to this day. It would not have been possible without Rick’s, leadership, courage, and intellect – and his belief that BBID would ultimately prevail despite incredible odds and enormous stakes.

That’s the kind of person he was – the kind of person who would see something all the way through, no matter how difficult; no matter how hard he had to work. People like Rick are unique and rare.

A memorial celebrating Rick’s life will be held June 1, 2023. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend. Additional details are below.

May 18, 2023 in District News

UPDATE: Record Winter Leads to 100% Water Allocation, Delays Start of Irrigation Season

Byron, CA (April 21, 2023) – On the heels of a record-setting winter and a historic Sierra snowpack topping 200% of normal in many locations, the irrigation season in the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) service area is underway. The season began in early April, delayed by wet weather that continued well into spring.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in April issued an updated water supply allocation of 100% for its South-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors, including BBID. The initial allocation was set at 35%, then was increased to 80% in March before the full allocation announcement. Continued snowfall and subsequent runoff this winter boosted Lake Shasta from 59% to 81% of normal, and San Luis Reservoir from 64% to 97%.

It was just one year ago that Reclamation issued an initial 0% allocation for South-of-Delta contractors amid ongoing drought and declining reservoir levels.

“We are grateful for Mother Nature providing much-needed relief for our CVP growers,” said BBID General Manager Edwin Pattison. “Four times in the last decade, South-of-Delta CVP contractors like BBID have received a 0% allocation, putting incredible strain on growers and ranchers in BBID’s CVP service area. Still, we hope that the sudden shift in hydrology does not distract from the very real need for regulatory reform,” Pattison continued.

“If these boom-or-bust weather patterns are our new normal, we must adapt,” said BBID Board President Tim Maggiore. “We must invest in our aging water systems and build new storage to capture water supplies when they’re abundant, for times when they are not.”

The District continues to work with its local, regional and state partners in exploring regulatory solutions that balance the needs of California’s cities, agriculture, and environment.

Additionally, Reclamation increased its allocation for its South-of-Delta Municipal and Industry (M&I) contractors to 100%, including those in the BBID’s service area.

April 18, 2023 in District News