El Dorado Irrigation District Overview

El Dorado Irrigation District serves more than 125,000 residents in El Dorado County. EID provides drinking water for homes, schools and businesses and recycled water from wastewater treatment plants to irrigate front and backyards and public landscapes. The district operates a hydroelectric power project that includes dams, reservoirs and 23 miles of flumes, canals, siphons and tunnels. The system was relicensed in 2006 for 40 years.

Five of EID’s raw water storage reservoirs are utilized for recreation: Jenkinson (located at Sly Park Recreation Area), Caples, Silver, Echo and Forebay. Jenkinson Lake, built in the 1950s, was purchased by EID in 2003 and allowed the district to take control of the water reserve from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which has been of great benefit in times of drought.

EID conducts regular board meetings that are open to the public. These are normally held twice a month, on the second and fourth Mondays. The district’s calendar lists upcoming meetings, public workshops and other events.  To receive notice when events or meetings are posted, sign up for eNews. Those who sign up also receive news releases about the district, tailored to their interests on various services such as water, sewer, and recreation.

Six times a year, the district’s communications department produces The Waterfront newsletter, which is mailed to customers along with their bills. Those who are signed up for online bill pay can receive the newsletter electronically. Visit the Waterfront Newsletter and Archive webpage to view archived issues.