Since 1998, the Mud Lake Water Users cooperative is a different kind of nonprofit organization. It was created to regulate the canals and water supply in and around Terreton, Idaho. This helps the farmers grow their crops, bringing higher yields, which also helps the local community.
Steve Shylee is the president of the canal board and shares the fact that not anyone can just join.
“As far as joining the company in order to join or be a part of Mud Lake Water Users, you have to have land within our service area that has water rights on it,” Shylee said. “And so, then once you purchase that land and the land is transferred into the owner's name, then they're issued a stock certificate that gives them quote ownership into the company,” he said.
He says they are in charge of 24,000 acres of land, which represents more than 24 trillion gallons of water over the region. He also says for the people who are a part of the irrigation company to get their fair share of water there are some challenges, like when water restrictions are put in place.
“One of the hardest parts with being the president or being the leader is when everything goes good, everything's fine,” he said. “But when people are upset or frustrated, either myself or the managers that handle the day-to-day operation, are typically the first to hear about it.”
For more information about the water district, you can visit them at 1400 East 1500 North in Terreton or give them a call at 208-663-4359.