In 1909, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District was established to provide a reliable and economical source of irrigation water for agricultural use in, and surrounding rural areas of Escalon, Manteca and Ripon. SSJID’s historic water rights allow for several hydroelectric power plants on a series of dams and reservoirs on the Stanislaus River. SSJID and Oakdale Irrigation District completed the original Melones Reservoir in 1926, and have co-owned the Tri-Dam Project, consisting of Donnells, Beardsley and Tulloch reservoirs and powerhouses since 1957.