Trying To Be “At the Table” Instead of “On the Menu”: Irrigation Company Perspectives on Managing Water

ABSTRACT

Irrigation companies are important water actors in the state of Utah where over 80% of water is used for agriculture and the drying of the Great Salt Lake is a growing concern. These companies are the on‐the‐ground water managers that deliver water to shareholders. We seek to understand companies' perceptions, risks, and decisions of these companies given the context of a drying climate with uncertain water supply. Additionally, we seek to understand irrigation company governance perspectives. This is especially relevant given 25‐year‐old literature pointing to a lack of governance participation by irrigation companies. In a mixed‐methods approach, interviews and online surveys were conducted with irrigation company representatives from the Utah portion of the Great Salt Lake Basin. We conclude that irrigation companies in the basin are working to prioritize multiple elements of water management and often seek to address perceived future risks. However, there are barriers to these efforts such as funding availability, interactions and relationships, and declining water supplies. Additionally, in terms of water governance, many irrigation companies do not feel they have a seat at the table nor are represented by those who do, which exacerbates management and policy challenges. This study points to a need for more integrated water governance that includes irrigation companies for more holistic water management that recognizes their practices, priorities, risks, and challenges.