Water conservation reservoir named after Imperial Irrigation District member

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) dedicated and named a new water conservation and operational reservoir to Lloyd Allen.

The Lloyd Allen Water Conservation Operational Reservoir is located east of Calipatria and will conserve 400 acre-feet of water annually and provide water operational flexibility to local growers.

Lloyd Allen is an IID five-term board member and a Calipatria and Imperial Valley resident.

Allen is also a businessman, farmer, and community leader.

He is the tireless champion of Imperial Valley’s water rights, Chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, and key representative for IID in shaping numerous agreements affecting the use of water throughout Southern California and the Southwest.

"It says I am up here because I am the water rights counsel, actually I am up here because Lloyd was my friend,” said David Osias, water rights counsel.

"Allen was a great member of the community, a pillar, he did run the Imperial hardware store here in town everybody knew who he was… great guy… white hat… black hat depending on the mood and depending on the negotiations… just a really nice man down to earth," said Gina Dockstader, IID Board of Directors Division 3.

IID said the new reservoir will not only help remember Allen but will help conserve 400 acre-feet of water a year.

It will also help with the on-farm efficiency conservation program by providing improved water delivery services and flexibility to growers.

IID said they have traditionally named each of its reservoirs as part of its ongoing water conservation program to recognize individuals for their contributions to the Imperial Valley.