Twin Falls Canal Company Tackles Water Loss with Lining Project

Ongoing canal lining efforts aim to improve water efficiency and management for Idaho producers

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Twin Falls Canal Company (TFCC) is undertaking a major project to line 9.25 miles of the Highline Canal and 3 miles of Lateral No. 1 with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner. This effort is driven by ongoing water shortages and the need to reduce water loss through the porous canal beds. The project is being funded through grants from the Idaho Water Resource Board and is expected to help TFCC shareholders better manage water deliveries, especially during dry years.

Why it matters

Water scarcity is a growing concern across Idaho, impacting both agricultural producers and residential users. The canal lining project aims to improve water efficiency and management for TFCC's 200,000-acre service area, ensuring more reliable water access for farmers and reducing the risk of delivery reductions during drought conditions.

The details

The Highline Canal was originally developed in 1902-05 and has had various lining efforts over the past century, including concrete, clay, bentonite, and cinders. However, much of the existing lining has reached the end of its useful lifespan. The current HDPE lining project is expected to have a lifespan exceeding 100 years. In addition, the project will install telemetry at 28 locations where the canals meet the Snake River Canyon, allowing TFCC to better monitor and manage water flows.

  • The canal lining project began in 2019 with an initial portion of the Highline Canal.
  • In 2023, an additional three-quarters of a mile was lined on the Highline Canal.
  • The current project includes lining 9.25 miles of the Highline Canal and 3 miles of Lateral No. 1, with an expected 8-year timeline.

The players

Twin Falls Canal Company (TFCC)

The irrigation company responsible for managing the Highline Canal and Lateral No. 1, serving a 200,000-acre service area in Twin Falls County, Idaho.

Rick Pearson

A crop producer in Buhl, Idaho, who emphasizes the importance of addressing water scarcity issues for all users, not just agriculture.

Gary Reynolds

A producer in Castleford, Idaho, who explains the issues of water loss through sinkholes and underground fissures in the canal system.

Jay Barlogi

The general manager of TFCC, who provides details on the canal lining project and the company's efforts to better measure and manage water flows.

Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB)

The state agency funding the canal lining project through the Reasonable Sustainability Grant and the IWRB Canal Efficiency Grant.

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What they’re saying

“We need to be more efficient. The aquifer isn't just an ag issue. It's an Idaho problem. If more people would get together to fix the problem, the better it would be for everyone. Everyone uses water.”

— Rick Pearson, Crop Producer (agproud.com)

“There are sinkholes in the middle of the canal that have been appearing. This has been ongoing for years. Water that is lost from the canal goes into Rock Creek. Once the water is lost to Rock Creek, it's unusable by producers.”

— Gary Reynolds, Producer (agproud.com)

“Due to the gravels in the area, there is significant water that works its way through the gravels and leaks out of the canal. Over the years, TFCC crews have worked to repair sinkholes that appear every year, allowing water to escape out of the waterway, eventually finding its way through underground fissures to Salmon Falls Creek.”

— Jay Barlogi, General Manager, Twin Falls Canal Company (agproud.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This canal lining project highlights the ongoing efforts by irrigation companies like TFCC to improve water efficiency and management in the face of growing water scarcity challenges across Idaho. By investing in durable HDPE liners and enhancing their ability to monitor water flows, TFCC aims to provide more reliable water access for its agricultural producers and reduce the risk of delivery reductions during dry years.