Nypen Retires From LYIP

After serving the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project (LYIP) for 17 years, Manager Jerry Nypen will retire effective Feb. 17 to pursue other interests. “I’ve been at this type of work for nearly 40 years, and I decided it was time to try other things,” Nypen remarks. “When you work for wages, there’s no reason to do the same thing your entire life.”

Nypen began his duties with LYIP in January 1995, bringing with him 21 years of prior experience gained from different irrigation districts. “I managed the Greenfields Irrigation District near Great Falls for 17 years,” Nypen remarks. “It was an 83,000-acre rehabilitation and betterment project northwest of Great Falls. I got acquainted with Don Steinbeisser and Bud Groskinsky, and they had an interest in me coming to Sidney to do rehabilitation work on this project. They, along with Glenn Asbeck, had the foresight to want to keep LYIP improved, so they convinced me to relocate to Sidney to help.”

He adds, “The Board of Control here was already making improvements. I continued to assist in this process and to provide additional measures.”

Nypen likes to rebuild; to make improvements in order to better serve the needs of the water users. He set to work upon arriving in Sidney and 17 years later, he can look back at some true accomplishments. “We developed a water accountability system and rehabilitated all of the waterways to improve carrying capacity,” Nypen remarks. “We’ve tried to combine conservation efforts while at the same time improving service to farmers by reducing rationing periods and increasing the capacity of the system. We’ve installed supplemental structures at creek crossings such as Lone Tree Creek in Sidney, and we’ve installed automated control structures on the main canal to reduce waste and improve water distribution.”

He adds, “Conservation measures in this irrigation district are always ongoing as there are always improvements to be made. Farming keeps getting more intense all the time and farmers can’t afford any crop stress.”

Nypen will not single out one particular upgrade as any more important than any other. “All improvements are important,” he notes. “All of them lead to improved delivery efficiency so that adequate water is delivered through the high water demand periods. LYIP’s biggest concern is to be able to deliver water at all times in proper amounts in a fair and equitable manner.”

He continues, “There is a very concerted effort here from both the irrigation district and the water users to use water prudently. When I started here in Sidney, farmers predominantly used flood irrigation methods. There have been continual improvements in flood irrigation practices but also about 20% of the farm units are now set up with sprinkler systems and that number will grow dramatically in the future. It is this combined effort that really defines this area as a leader in water conservation.”

Nypen appreciates his time in Sidney and acknowledges the assistance and support he has received from the community. “I have had the privilege of working with good people,” Nypen remarks. “I’ve worked with five irrigation district boards and they all have been excellent to work for. Sidney itself has its own splendor and I will miss this.”

Nypen will move to Minnesota to start the next phase of his life. “One important reason for moving to Minnesota is to be closer to our son’s family, especially our two grandchildren, before they grow up,” Nypen says. “It will be hard to leave Sidney, but new adventures lie ahead. We’ve never lived in Minnesota, but I’m sure we’ll find splendor there in our rural setting.”

He concludes, “It is time to pursue something new. I’m not retiring, I’m just changing venues.