about us
The Consolidated Irrigation District (CID) was organized on September 8, 1921. CID provides water from the Kings River for irrigation and groundwater recharge. Numerous ponding basins for storage and recharge are located throughout the service area to ensure ground water aquifer sustainability and resiliency. In addition, CID manages an extensive system of canals and pipelines for water distribution.
Located in the San Joaquin Valley, CID encompasses approximately 144,000 acres (225 square miles) – both east and west of State Route 99 in southeastern Fresno County. Areas surrounding the Cities of Fowler, Kingsburg, Parlier, Sanger, and Selma are included in CID’s service area. To the North, there is a common boundary with the Fresno Irrigation District. Relatively small portions are located within Kings and Tulare Counties.
CID is governed by a five-member, elected Board of Directors and administered by a General Manager. Over twenty employees operate the system and provide service to over 6,000 growers. Consolidated Irrigation District’s water distribution system consists primarily of open ditches to irrigate agricultural lands.
the board
President - Earl Hudson
Division 1
Fresno County
Term Expires: 12/2022
Earl Hudson was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) Board of Directors in 2018, representing Division 1. Earl currently serves as Board President.
Earl is a sixth-generation farmer with more than 30 years’ experience specializing in deciduous tree fruit such as peaches, plums and nectarines. In addition, Earl has more than 30 years of experience as an agricultural field man and as a pest control advisor in agriculture chemical sales. He also operated a custom brush shredding business for more than 20 years to help supplement the family farm.
Earl is an active member of the Sanger Eagles Lodge, serving as co-chair of the annual fish fry each spring. He also is a member of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, National Peach Council, and the Masonic, Scottish Rite and Shrine lodges.
Earl and his wife Liz, an accomplished agriculturist herself and specialist in agricultural public relations, now farm with their two children Rodger and Charlotte and continue to make their home in Sanger.
Vice President - Ray Moles
Division 3
Fresno County
Term Expires: 12/2024
Ray Moles was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) Board of Directors in 2018, representing Division 3. Ray currently serves as the Board Vice President.
Ray graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California. He began his career as a mechanic at Frontier Chevrolet before farming full time. Focusing his efforts on raisins, Ray has served the Raisin Industry and his community on the Raisin Administration Committee, Past Director of The Raisin Bargaining Association and is active in the Easton Lyons Club.
Ray and his wife Debra have two sons, one daughter and 4 grandchildren. They make their home in Fresno.
Director - Tom Chandler
Division 2
Fresno County
Term Expires: 12/2024
Tom Chandler was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) Board of Directors in 2020, representing Division 2.
Chandler was raised on his family farm just southeast of Fowler and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag Managerial Economics from University of California Davis. Chandler also has a Master of Business Administration from Fresno State University. He worked for 14 years in agricultural finance for companies such as Wells Fargo Bank and CoBank. In the last 7 years he works with his family as a fourth-generation farmer on his family farm. Chandler also operates an Agricultural Appraisal business and is a board member of Central California Almond Growers Association. Chandler and his wife, Kathryn have three children and reside on their farm northeast of Fowler.
Director - Mitch Ritchie
Division 4
Fresno & Kings Counties
Term Expires: 12/2022
Mitch Ritchie was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) Board of Directors in 2018, representing Division 4.
Mitch is a Farmer and Business owner. Mitch and his wife Tina farm raisins, peaches, almonds and wine grapes. Mitch and Tina have 2 daughters, Michelle and Kellie. Mitch and Tina have lived and farmed in the District for almost 30 years.
Director - Anthony Lewis
Division 5
Fresno, Kings, Tulare Counties
Term Expires: 12/2022
Tony Lewis was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) Board of Directors in 2014, representing Division 5.
Tony is a graduate of Kingsburg High School and began farming as a teenager with his father. He also drove freight for several years and was recognized for his outstanding performance. Tony and his wife Valerie grow grapes. They have three children and two grandchildren. They reside in Kingsburg.
general manager
our staff
Michael Carbajal
Assistant General Manager
Walt Frost
Operations Manager
Garry Ehoff
Superintendent
Richard Lopez
Foreman
Irrigation Specialist
Eric Alvarez
Juan Barrientos
Alex Carrillo
Rick Cavazos
Eddie Gama
Felicia Gomez
Carlos Gonzales
Scott Greenwood
Jerry Hurtado
John MacPherson
Leo Moran
Isaac Pritchard
Jared Reed
Al Valles
Jose Ybarra
What we do
Irrigation
Serving over 5,000 growers and farmers across 120,000 acres, CID provides reliable water service for crops and fields. Irrigation water is delivered through a series of pipes, basins and ditches.
Groundwater Management
With the recent passage and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Management is no longer just a best practice, but now is a required, reportable effort for every groundwater basin in the state of California. For almost a century, CID plays an active role in managing our groundwater basin; overseeing pumping, recharge and monitoring.
Recharge Management
Groundwater basins must be refilled, or recharged, in order to maintain aquifer health and stability. This process is both passive, i.e. rain water percolation, and active, recharge basins. CID manages the natural percolation or sinking of water back into a groundwater basin through a number of recharge basin investments.
Water Rights Protection
Water right protection is an ongoing investment. Not only are there annual fees associated with water right protection, there is always the need for due diligence. For the protection of their farmers and growers, CID invests a significant amount of resources annually for the oversight, registration and protection of local water rights.
Repair & Replacement
Infrastructure repair and replacement is a growing issue across the nation and the region. CID’s infrastructure dates back to the late 1800’s and therefore requires on-going investments in repairing and replacing these vital resources.
Regulatory Compliance
California has one of the strictest and most complex regulatory environments in the country. Each year, additional regulatory requirements and reporting are mandated on water agencies and irrigation districts. CID is responsible for local, state and federal regulatory compliance and reporting.
