Canal Education

District canal roads exist for the sole purpose of operating and maintaining the canal. District personnel require unrestricted access to these roads in order to efficiently and safely perform their work. These roads must be kept clear at all times. District canal roads are posted with “No Trespassing” signs. The presence of unauthorized persons on the canal roads interferes with maintenance and operation of the system and creates a safety hazard. The District’s canal roads and property must remain unobstructed.

General Overview

The Wenatchee Reclamation District delivers water to the bank of its canal or pipeline. Properties with the right to use District water are assigned to a specific location along the canal (a diversion point), where water is diverted into a private delivery system.

Each spring, prior to the start of irrigation deliveries, District personnel close the valve and slide gate controlling flow into each private line. When users are ready to begin diverting water, they are responsible for opening both the valve and slide gate at their assigned diversion point.

Many diversion points serve multiple properties. In these cases, formation of a user association is encouraged. Association members may designate a local contact person to help coordinate maintenance issues and serve as the primary point of contact for both members and the District in the event of an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

I just noticed the No Trespassing on the Canal Right-of-Way sign, does that mean me?

District canal roads are posted “No Trespassing” and are reserved exclusively for District operations and maintenance. Unauthorized access is prohibited.

Water users have the right to access the canal as necessary to inspect and maintain their diversion box. However, the District’s interest is limited to a right-of-way across private property. Adjacent property owners generally own the land to the centerline of the canal; therefore, the District cannot authorize or grant permission to cross or access private property.

Help! I have a geyser in my yard?

If you are experiencing an uncontrolled flow or emergency (such as a geyser or significant leak) that may compromise property, first check for an on-site shutoff valve and close it if available.

The Wenatchee Reclamation District only controls water at the canal or pipeline and cannot isolate individual private delivery systems beyond the diversion point. If no on-site isolation valve exists, the District can shut off the point of delivery at the canal to stop flow to the affected turnout. However, this action will affect all users served by that line.

When requesting a shutdown, please provide the specific location and nature of the issue so the valve can be tagged and documented with the leak location for follow-up and restoration.

If you are part of a user association, contact your association representative immediately, as they may assist in identifying local controls or coordinating response.

Who is going to repair the irrigation?

User associations, where applicable, serve as the primary coordination point for maintenance and repair issues. The Wenatchee Reclamation District jurisdiction ends at the bank of the canal or pipeline and at the diversion box.

The District delivers water only to this point and does not map, operate, or maintain any private irrigation infrastructure beyond it. All facilities beyond the diversion box, including pipelines, valves, pumps, and delivery systems, are privately owned and maintained by the water users or property owners.

The District is not responsible for repairs or maintenance of private infrastructure beyond the diversion point.

Where is my water? It was supposed to be here on April 1?

The Wenatchee Reclamation District delivers water only to the canal or pipeline—not directly into private systems.

      • It can take about 5 days each spring for the canal (from Dryden) and all laterals/pipelines to fully fill.
      • Each spring, the District closes valves and slide gates at each private diversion point. Users must open their own valve and slide gate to start water flow into their system.
      • Some diversion points serve multiple properties, so a user association or designated contact person may coordinate opening and startup.
      • The District does not operate or start private pumps or private infrastructure—all pumps and private property delivery systems must be turned on and managed by the individual water users.

If everything is open and you still have no water, contact the District to check your specific turnout or delivery point.

Why do I have low water pressure?

Low water pressure is typically caused by a restriction in the system or by simultaneous water use by other users on the same infrastructure.

Please check that all irrigation system screens are clean, including any screens at your diversion box. While the District recommends the use of screens at diversion boxes, installation within the canal requires prior District approval.

If issues persist, please contact your neighborhood line manager or HOA point of contact, if applicable. The District may also be able to provide contact information for your designated line representative upon request.

I live adjacent to the canal and would like to put a fence and/or landscaping, what do I need to do?

The District is committed to working with adjacent property owners on proposed improvements. To begin, please contact the District office and provide your property address. You will be asked to clearly mark the proposed location of any fence and/or landscaping.

A District representative will then schedule a site meeting with you to review your plans and discuss any operational or access considerations.

For additional information, please visit the Fence and Landscape Permits  page.