Grass Valley, CA (Sept. 11, 2026) — The Nevada Irrigation District (NID) participated in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Highway 50 Water Journey: From Headwaters to Tables tour on Friday, Sept. 11.

The immersive program offered participants a firsthand look at the critical connections between high‑mountain watersheds, rural water systems, and urban water reliability throughout California.

Hosted by ACWA Region 3 in partnership with the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID), the tour featured several boots‑on‑the‑ground stops along the Highway 50 corridor. Attendees visited EID headquarters, Sly Park Reservoir, and agricultural land in Apple Hill to observe fire recovery efforts, flume and conveyance infrastructure, and the relationships between water providers and working landscapes.

A highlight of the tour was a field discussion led by NID General Manager Jennifer Hanson at Bumpy Meadows. The conversation centered on wildfire mitigation, forest and watershed health, and long‑term system resiliency. The discussion included representatives from CalFIRE, the El Dorado Resource Conservation District, the Placerville district of the Eldorado National Forest (USDA), EID, and Sierra Pacific Industries.

The Bumpy Meadows stop emphasized the importance of collaboration across land management, forestry, and water agencies. Healthy headwaters and wildfire-resilient forests play a vital role in protecting downstream water quality and supply, and the tour showcased how multiple partners work together to manage these interconnected resources.

ACWA’s Highway 50 Water Journey highlighted the essential work being done in the Sierra Nevada to support reliable water delivery statewide. By bringing participants directly into the field, the tour underscored the importance of proactive watershed management, interagency coordination, and continued investment in high‑elevation infrastructure.

NID appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with peer agencies and share insight into how forest health and headwater management support long‑term water reliability for the communities we serve.