Reservoirs managed by the state Department of Agriculture will be getting safety improvements with more than $10 million released for the projects' design and construction

"We must take every step necessary to ensure that our reservoirs, dams and irrigation systems are safe and continue to meet the community's agricultural needs," Gov. Linda Lingle said in a statement announcing the release of the money. "This project will move the state forward on much-needed improvements to reservoirs belonging to our state irrigation systems, including measures to help prevent future irrigation system failures."

Improvements will be made to the following reservoirs:

Big Island. Honoka'a-Pa'auilo Irrigation System (Pa'auilo Reservoir) and Waimea Irrigation System (Pu'u Pulehu and Pu'ukapu reservoirs).

Kaua'i. Koke'e Ditch Irrigation System (Pu'u Loa and Kitano reservoirs) and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation System (Mana Reservoir).

Moloka'i. Moloka'i Irrigation System (Kualapu'u Reservoir).

O'ahu. Waiahole Irrigation System (Reservoirs No. 155 and No. 225) and Waimanalo Irrigation System (Waimanalo Reservoir).

Design is scheduled to be completed in November 2008. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November 2009.

Following the breach of Kaua'i's Kaloko reservoir dam in March 2006, the state inspected all regulated dams across Hawai'i.

This separate safety program was undertaken by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.