About Us

History

The original purpose for the construction of the Settlers Canal was to bring irrigation water to the prairie and sage brush lands on the south side of the Boise River to entice settlers into the area. The original locators of this canal and water right were Christian R. Purdum, Aldolphus Purdum, and William H. Smith. They made their filing on October 17, 1884, and claimed 50,000 inches of water. By 1891, water flowed through the canal. In 1904, the Settlers Canal Company became known as Settlers Irrigation District.

The canal system now measures approximately 20 miles in length with 95 miles of laterals and conveys 186 cubic feet per second (c.f.s.) of natural flow water rights along with storage rights in Arrowrock, Anderson Ranch, and Lucky Peak Reservoirs. Settlers Irrigation District continues to deliver irrigation water to 13,187 acres of both agricultural and urban lands located in West Boise, Meridian, and South Eagle areas.

The Settlers canal begins on the south side of the Boise River at a point now known as Ann Morrison Park. Water deliveries for the main canal begin at North Mitchell Street and end approximately one half mile west of Black Cat Road dumping into the Five Mile Drain. Water deliveries for the south side of the Settlers Canal begin west of Five Mile Road and south of Ustick Road eventually dumping into a Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District drain below Black Cat Road.

Organization & Elections

The District organized as a three-member Board of Directors which provides guidance and supervision to staff who operate and maintain the canal system. Board meetings are normally held on the first Tuesday of every month at the district office located at 1910 North Garden Street, in Boise, ID. Directors are elected to their positions by landowners within the District. The election is held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.

Divisions

The Settlers Irrigation District encompasses land starting at the easterly boundary which is the Diversion Dam in the Boise River at Ann Morrison Park, south to Franklin Road, west to Star Road, and north to the Lower Bench area. For purposes of electing Board members, there are three Divisions within the Settlers Irrigation District. Division 1 includes property from the diversion dam at the Boise River adjacent to Ann Morrison Park to Locust Grove Road. Division 2 includes property within the District from Locust Grove Road to Ten Mile Road. Division 3 includes property within the District from Ten Mile Road to Star Road.

Settlers Irrigation District consists of 13,187 acres of land in western Ada County. Water is supplied to District patrons via the 20-mile long Settlers Canal and 95 miles of lateral canals.

The downloadable district map outlines the District's general geographical boundaries, but it is not a guarantee of the District's exact boundaries.

Election of Directors

A director from each division is elected for a three year term that begins January 1st of each year and the term for each division expires consecutively. For example, a director for division 2 starts a new term January 1, 2026; division 3 starts a new term January 1, 2027, and division 1 starts a new term January 1, 2028. In accordance with Idaho Code 34-106, the election coincides with the general election that occurs on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In accordance with Idaho Code 34-106, the election coincides with the general election that occurs on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Every director must be a qualified elector and must possess all the qualifications required of electors under the general laws of the state. He/she must be a resident of the division of the director whom he/she is to succeed in office.

Written nominations for the office of director, if any are made, must be signed by at least twelve (12) electors and filed with the secretary of the District not less than forty (40) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the election. The names of the persons so nominated shall be placed upon official ballot to be furnished by the District.

An election shall not be required if, after the expiration of the date for filing written nominations , only one (1) qualified candidate has been nominated. The Board of Directors shall, within five (5) days after expiration of the date for filing nominations, declare the candidate elected.

Qualifications of Electors

No person shall be entitled to vote unless he/she possesses all the qualifications required of electors under the general laws of the state, and own land within the District.