WATCH: $3 Million Boost for Wicklund Cut Replacement
“If these pumps go dry, farms go dry.”
Congressman Josh Harder brought that message to BBID as he announced $3 million in federal funding to help replace the century-old Wicklund Cut Pump Station, which supplies irrigation water to more than 6,500 acres near Tracy.
Watch below for highlights from the visit and what’s next for this vital project.
Byron, CA (August 19, 2026) – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09) visited Byron-Bethany Irrigation District to announce $3 million in federal funding toward replacing the century-old Wicklund Cut Pump Station, an important step toward securing reliable water deliveries for local agriculture.
Built in 1918, the station supplies irrigation water to more than 6,500 acres in and around Tracy. Aging equipment, electrical failures and seismic vulnerabilities have made replacing the facility a priority for BBID.
“If these pumps go dry, farms go dry,” Harder said, underscoring the station’s importance to the region.
The federal investment will help advance environmental review, planning and permitting, along with purchases of equipment that can take years to arrive. BBID continues to pursue the remaining funding, with a goal of bringing the replacement station online for the 2029 irrigation season.
Watch the video below for highlights from Harder’s visit and a closer look at what this investment means for BBID’s growers.
Byron, CA (May 17, 2025) – At approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID or District) received a call from representatives of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) notifying BBID of the loss of a transformer at the PG&E West Side Electrical Substation. This substation serves as the primary power source for pumping water from the Wicklund Cut Pump Station that serves approximately 6,500 acres of irrigated farmland in the District’s West Side Service Area (WSSA) surrounding the City of Tracy, CA.
WAPA reported that one of the three single-phase transformers is exhibiting signs of internal gassing — a clear indication of a developing internal fault. PG&E is currently working on a contingency plan to perform diagnostics and necessary repairs. Based on preliminary assessments, this issue could result in a power outage affecting the WSSA for seven or more days.
BBID immediately expressed to both WAPA and PG&E the severity of this outage and the potential impacts it would have on BBID’s West Side Service Area growers, particularly given peak growing season when a variety of crops are at critical stages of growth. BBID staff recognizes a prolonged outage could have serious impacts on agricultural operations, and therefore, the following immediate steps are being taken to mitigate potential impacts to the greatest extent possible:
Although this PG&E transformer failure is outside of BBID’s control, the District is actively exploring all feasible options to maintain water service to minimize disruption to farmers. BBID staff is also working closely with WAPA, PG&E, and regional partners, to evaluate both immediate and long-term strategies to enhance system reliability.
We will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves. Please contact water operations staff to schedule water deliveries or if you have any questions regarding the emergency response efforts.
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.