FAQs
What is irrigation modernization?
Farmers and ranchers across the West rely on century-old diversions, canals, and turnouts to deliver irrigation water. Irrigation modernization means upgrading these systems with modern infrastructure and technologies. These improvements increase agricultural, environmental, and community resilience across the West.
Why is modernization so important right now?
Ongoing droughts, growing communities, and increased environmental pressures have changed conditions for agriculture and rural communities, and aging irrigation systems designed 100 years ago were not built to manage the challenges irrigators are currently facing. Modernizing irrigation infrastructure to respond to modern-day realities helps sustain farms and ranches, supports rural economies, and benefits the ecosystems from which the water comes.
How does irrigation modernization benefit farmers, ranchers, and communities?
Modernization transforms aging infrastructure into flexible, resilient systems that help communities meet current challenges and future needs. Modernization projects lead to more reliable water delivery and flexible management in the face of changing water supplies. By addressing systemic problems in aging water delivery systems, irrigation modernization provides solutions for rural agricultural communities that can:
- Increase water supply and delivery reliability
- Reduce operation and maintenance costs
- Generate energy and reduce energy costs
- Increase agricultural resiliency
- Support local jobs
- Improve conditions for fish and wildlife
- Improve water quality
- Increase wildfire protection
- Reduce liability
What does a modern irrigation system look like?
Irrigation modernization looks different in every community. In one community, that may mean replacing earthen canals with pressurized pipelines. In another community, that may look like installing new measurement and control systems that allow for realtime water management. In still another community, it may mean lining canals while installing solar panels and battery storage along them. We work closely with each community to identify their vision for modernization and help them move towards it.
How can I learn more or get involved in irrigation modernization efforts?
We encourage you to reach out to us to learn more about our work. Every community is different, so irrigation modernization efforts look different in each community we work with. You can reach us by phone or email.
What doe FCA do?
FCA focuses on modernizing irrigation infrastructure. We help communities move from project concepts to shovel-ready projects with clear funding, permitting, and construction pathways. Success for FCA is projects in the ground.
Who does FCA work with?
FCA works with agricultural water providers – irrigation districts, ditch companies, and Tribes. As part of those efforts, FCA works with farmers and ranchers, public agencies, elected officials, non-profit organizations, funding partners, and community leaders who might have an interest in irrigation modernization. For each project, FCA partners directly with local engineers and contractors to incorporate local expertise whenever possible.
In addition, FCA partners with state and federal agencies looking to support irrigation modernization efforts.
What is FCA’s role in an irrigation modernization project?
FCA helps communities move from ideas to implementation. We support every stage—from planning and design to permitting, funding, communications, and construction—tailoring our role to meet each community’s specific needs at each phase of a project.
How does FCA get projects from an idea to shovel-ready?
FCA works with communities to:
- Identify community goals
- Assess existing infrastructure
- Collect geospatial, water resources, and other data
- Develop high-level engineering designs
- Develop permitting, funding, and communications strategies
- Build relationships with public and private partners
- Support community and government relations
- Secure the capital needed to move projects to construction
Who works at FCA?
FCA supports communities throughout the whole irrigation modernization process. To do so, our team includes:
- Strategic planners
- Funding specialists
- Communications experts
- Project developers
- Community and government relations experts
- Former irrigation district staff
- Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists
- Engineers
- Watershed Planning / NEPA specialists
- Subject matter experts
How can an irrigation district or community start working with FCA?
We encourage you to reach out to us to learn more about our work. Every community is different, so irrigation modernization efforts look different in each community we work with. You can reach us by phone at 541.716.6085 or email at info@fcasolutions.org.
What technical services does FCA offer?
We deliver a range of technical support, including GIS mapping, data collection and management, water measurement, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), energy assessment, Watershed Planning/NEPA, and fish screen programs. These services help agricultural water providers and their partners better understand their systems and make data-informed decisions for modernization.
What strategic services does FCA offer?
We provide strategic services that help communities move projects forward. These services include strategic planning, community and government relations, planning and project funding, and communications services. Together, these services allow agricultural water providers to move projects forward at scale and with broad support.
How does FCA support project funding?
FCA helps partners identify, pursue, and manage irrigation modernization funding opportunities at scale. FCA works with public and private sector partners that fund modernization planning, design, and construction. Our team provides grant writing, capital planning, and financial reporting services to ensure project viability and that each project has a solid financial foundation to meet funder and audit requirements.
Can FCA help assess energy opportunities or integrate energy solutions into irrigation projects?
Yes. FCA conducts energy generation, conservation, and management assessments to identify revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities. These assessments evaluate potential in-conduit hydropower, solar, battery storage and energy-use efficiency opportunities within irrigation systems.
Because energy costs are often a major part of a community’s budget, FCA helps identify ways to reduce energy use, generate local power, and manage grid loads. These strategies can reduce costs and create new revenue for modernization efforts.
How does FCA help with compliance and permitting?
Our team can support environmental reviews under NEPA, including environmental assessments (EA) and impact statements (EIS). FCA also coordinates studies and permitting to maintain compliance at every project stage—keeping project schedules on track and projects on budget.
What role does FCA play in project communications?
FCA helps communities tell their unique stories. Through video, photography, and journal articles, we highlight the value and impact of modernization projects so partners, funders, and your community understand why modernization matters. From public outreach and stakeholder meetings to digital media, we help communities clearly share their project’s value and progress.
Read, watch, and listen to FCA stories.
What does FCA’s project management and implementation support include?
FCA supports communities as they manage their projects and associated funding. We provide project management, grant administration, procurement, contractor coordination, and other services that help keep projects moving forward.