Oakdale Irrigation District (OID): Water Rights & Regional Strategy
The Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) is a premier agricultural water and electric power utility serving approximately 80,000 acres in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. Established in 1909, OID is a senior water rights holder on the Stanislaus River. OID provides irrigation water to over 2,900 agricultural connections and domestic water to approximately 700 customers, governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors.
The "Water Broker" Era and Legal Strategy
A major component of OID's modern history involves its aggressive marketing of surplus water, often facilitated by long-term legal counsel Tim O'Laughlin. Between 1999 and 2025, OID transformed its surplus into a massive revenue stream through sophisticated legal maneuvers.
- The Exit of the "Water Broker": In February 2025, OID finalized a $75 million settlement and exit agreement with O'Laughlin & Paris LLP, marking the end of a long-standing era of water marketing.
- High-Volume Offerings: Records show OID frequently offered massive quantities of water—up to 100,000 acre-feet—to agencies like the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority and Westlands Water District.
- Private Farming Deals: Legal correspondence reveals complex transfers involving entities like Pomona Farming and Banta-Carbona Irrigation District, often focusing on moving water through the Clifton Court Forebay.
The "Abandonment" Strategy (1999–2023)
OID utilizes a unique legal mechanism known as "abandonment" to move water out of the Stanislaus River basin. Rather than a traditional "sale," OID formally releases or "abandons" water at the Goodwin Dam.
- Documented Volumes: Between 2009 and 2018 alone, OID documented nearly a decade of these abandonment releases to facilitate transfers to the Bureau of Reclamation and other contractors.
- Historical Tracking: A comprehensive ledger of sales and abandonments from 1999 to 2023 shows a consistent pattern of high-volume water exports designed to fund district modernization.
- Tri-Dam Involvement: Even the Tri-Dam Project has been involved in these operations, including a notable "Secret Water Sale" in September 2015.
Inter-Agency & Tribal Agreements
OID maintains unique partnerships that extend beyond traditional agricultural irrigation.
- Chicken Ranch Rancheria Partnership: In 2022, OID and SSJID entered into a fully executed water transfer agreement with the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.
- Strategic Collaboration: This agreement ensures a reliable water supply for the Tribe, highlighting OID's role as a regional water supplier for diverse communities.
