The Utah Water Resources Board has agreed to loan $121,000 to the West Cache Irrigation Co. to help farmers using Bear River water improve a diversion dam.
The structure is on the Bear River in southeastern Idaho, about four miles north of Preston. But it feeds about 95 percent of its water to Cache County, Utah, farmers. It provides irrigation water to about 15,000 acres of farmland.The problem with the diversion dam is caused by changes in water releases from Utah Power & Light Co.'s Oneida Dam a few miles upstream.
West Cache Irrigation wants to rebuild the deteriorating diversion structure, adding automated equipment to handle changes in river levels.
The board agreed to loan the company the money for 17 years at no interest.