Forde Shorts

Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District Manager Tom Neisler reported to the district board on April 17 that agriculture customers have started irrigation operations. The district expects to import 10,000 acre feet (AF) of water from the State Water Project this year. The Brite Lake (Jacobsen Reservoir) level is high, with the water approaching 36 feet deep and a volume of 1,600 acre feet, 100 AF more than last year. The photo above shows the fishing dock that usually sits on dry land. "We are well placed to meet demand this year and the lake level is ideal for this date," he reported. The district has purchased 85 percent of the natural gas required for 2019 at a combined cost of $3.32/MMBTU, up from $3.13 last year. The district will be able to provide water to SunSelect for their new crop of 116 acres of industrial hemp.