Irrigation
Modernizing Irrigation Infrastructure to Support Agriculture & Rural Communities
Irrigation systems are critical infrastructure that support agricultural economies, rural communities, and the responsible use of local water resources. Across the United States, irrigation districts operate and maintain complex systems, many built decades or even a century ago, that must reliably deliver water while addressing aging infrastructure, system losses, regulatory requirements, and limited funding.
RH2 partners with irrigation districts to evaluate, rehabilitate, and modernize these systems with a focus on reliability, efficiency, and long-term stewardship. Our work helps districts reduce water loss, protect water supplies, and deliver essential services that support working landscapes and the communities that depend on them.
Planning, Design & System Modernization
RH2 supports irrigation districts with planning, design, and construction-phase services tailored to the unique operational and seasonal demands of irrigation systems, including:
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System-wide condition assessments and rehabilitation planning.
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Hydraulic studies for open-channel and enclosed conveyance systems.
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Canal lining, piping, and seepage reduction strategies.
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Pump stations, pipelines, diversions, and storage facilities.
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Electrical system evaluations, pump efficiency improvements, and power reliability.
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Emergency repairs.
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Cathodic protection design and monitoring.
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SCADA, telemetry, and operational monitoring support.
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Development review services.
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Grant and funding support and phased implementation planning.
Some of the more popular grant opportunities that we consistently support include:
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Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Grants
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USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grants
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State funding opportunities
Designed Around Operations & Constructability
Irrigation projects require careful coordination to maintain water deliveries to farms and agricultural operations. RH2 designs projects with a strong focus on constructability and operations and we recognize the importance of minimizing service interruptions, respecting property easements, and reducing impacts to crops, livestock, and day-to-day activities.
Our teams work closely with district staff to align construction sequencing, seasonal constraints, and long-term maintenance needs, helping projects move forward efficiently while supporting ongoing operations.
Addressing Aging Infrastructure & Future Demands
Many irrigation districts are managing infrastructure approaching, or exceeding, 100 years in age. RH2 assists districts in evaluating existing assets and developing phased improvement strategies that balance repair and replacement decisions with funding availability, urbanization pressures, and long-term system needs.
This approach helps districts move from uncertainty to clear direction and supports more reliable water delivery, improved efficiency, and increased resilience. By helping prioritize the most urgent challenges and align projects with available resources, RH2 supports practical planning that allows systems built for past conditions to continue serving today’s agricultural demands.
Contract District Engineer & District Development Review Services
RH2 provides contract district engineer and development review services for irrigation districts and ditch companies, supporting infrastructure changes that intersect with existing canals and delivery systems. Our teams work closely with district staff, developers, agencies, and stakeholders to review proposed improvements while protecting system operations, historic rights-of-way, and water delivery obligations.
Our experience includes evaluating rerouted canals, reviewing plats and mapping, coordinating water accounting considerations, and supporting decisions that balance growth with long-term system stewardship. This work helps districts manage change thoughtfully while maintaining the integrity of infrastructure that communities and agricultural users rely on.
Development Review Services
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Agency notification responses.
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Intake review.
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Project tracking.
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Plat review.
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Design review.
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Standards specification and detail management.
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Easement review.
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Construction inspection.
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Mapping.
Thinking about Joining Our Team?
Irrigation projects at RH2 offer the opportunity to work on infrastructure that directly supports food production, agricultural communities, and long-term water stewardship. Team members collaborate across disciplines to solve practical, real-world challenges, gaining experience that spans planning, design, construction support, and operations-focused engineering.
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