Merlon Kidwell caps a half-century career overseeing the complex delivery of Colorado River water to the Imperial Valley

EL CENTRO — The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) announced the retirement of Watermaster Merlon Kidwell, who is closing a remarkable 50-year chapter of service dedicated to managing the water supply for one of the nation's most vital agricultural regions.

Kidwell, who joined IID in September 1975, served for the past 20 years as Watermaster, a critical role responsible for preparing the estimates that drive the District’s master water schedule. His final day will be marked by closing the books on this week’s water order summaries, a fitting end to a career defined by precision and reliability.

“Being the Watermaster can be a great job, but you have to be able to acc

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