Orchard Mesa Irrigation District

The Orchard Mesa Irrigation District delivers Colorado River water to 9,219 acres and roughly 6,500 parcels across Palisade. Organized in 1904 and integrated into the Federal Grand Valley Project in 1922, this utility supports a diverse agricultural economy featuring orchards, vineyards (including the 591-acre Vinelands area), vegetables, alfalfa, and small grains. Water is diverted from the Colorado River via an original steel wicket dam in DeBeque Canyon and distributed through a network of open canals and laterals, as well as newer pipelines serving housing developments. The district provides water for both agricultural use, which accounts for approximately 80% of annual consumption, and residential needs. Residents benefit from guidance on efficient irrigation practices, including lawn aeration in the spring and proper watering techniques to maintain healthy lawns during the growing season. The system relies on the Orchard Mesa siphon and a pumping plant completed in 1910 to lift water into Canal #1 and Canal #2. Governed by a five-member board elected by water users, the district ensures that both large farms and smaller residential plots receive reliable irrigation essential to the Western Slope's landscape.