Lugert Altus Irrigation District

PROJECT PURPOSE

Situated in arid Kiowa, Jackson and Greer counties and fed by Lake Lugert, the Lugert Altus Irrigation District is comprised of infrastructure that delivers water to 48,000 acres of cotton crops, making Oklahoma one of the top 5 cotton producing states in the country. The district consists of over 300 miles of open canals built in the 1940s that delivers water throughout the region. The 2005 estimate of the total delivery system efficiency was about 65 percent. This means that of the 63,000 acre-feet released from the lake by the District in an average year, only about 41,000 acre-feet are delivered to customers. The Irrigation District identified approximately 17 miles of open ditch irrigation system that must be converted to pipe because of significant amounts of water loss in the specific section. This will result in significant water conservation, bring longevity to the region?s most significant economic driver, and increase the cotton production for the region. The current 1940s infrastructure has brought tremendous multi-generational value to the region. The irrigated cotton producers within the district yield approximately 1250-1800lbs of cotton per acre, creating an over half a billion dollar per year economic impact in the region.

EVIDENCE

Bureau of Reclamation?s 2005 study on the Irrigation District?s water efficiency showed that there was a 35% water loss across the district?s delivery system. Over the last fifteen years the irrigation district has invested millions of dollars into modernization efforts that have resulted in a 10% increase in water efficiency during that time period. This critical project will result in improving infrastructure within the district leading to multi-generational growth and prosperity along with the additional benefits related to water conservation in Southwest Oklahoma.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Oklahoma?s cotton industry was negatively impacted during the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. As one of the top five producing states in the country the irrigation district plays a vital role in American cotton production. As countries around the globe began shutting down price volatility and market uncertainty put strains on producers. As supply chains came to a grinding halt various input costs increased making it even more difficult on farmers as they looked to source various fertilizers and other mechanical components necessary to their operations. In addition, the volatility created for the textile industry during the pandemic only exacerbated the uncertainty for local producers in the state. The coupling of the pandemic and aging infrastructure put the irrigation district at a disadvantage. Updating critical infrastructure will help mitigate future uncertainties and ensure that Oklahoma?s cotton industry will continue being a major economic driver for generations to come.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The LAID has dedicated personnel and works in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation to track water efficiency and conservation measures across the district. This critical project will have direct measurables as it relates to water seepage and evaporation. This is very important to the district as water conservation and efficiencies within the delivery system will have a direct impact on the crop yield. This will result in significant water conservation, bring longevity to the region?s most significant economic driver, and increase the cotton production for the region. The irrigation district will provide quarterly updates until the project is completed.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding