Irrigation Water Flows Again, Cheering Farmers

As farmers cheered, federal officials let the water flow Friday from a canal into fields for the first time since last summer, when irrigation was halted amid fears over endangered sucker fish.

Because of drought, federal officials decided last year to cut off water to about 1,000 farmers in California and Oregon who use it to irrigate fields of wheat, potatoes and other crops. The decision led to confrontations pitting farmers against environmentalists, salmon fishermen and Indian tribes.

Federal officials decided to open the taps Friday because of increased snow and rain this winter. But only two months of irrigation water have been authorized, because federal agencies are still awaiting opinions, due June 1, from biology experts on the long-term environmental impact of water releases.