Canal Education
NOTICE
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.
Wenatchee Reclamation District delivers water to the bank of its canal or pipeline. Properties that have the right to use the water are assigned to a location at the canal (aka diversion point) where the water is rerouted into a private line. Each spring, prior to water being turned into the canal, District personnel closes the valve that allows the water to flow into the line along with what the District calls a slide gate and asks that when users are ready to utilize the water, they open the valve and slide gate at the canal.
The majority of diversion points at the canal have more than one property assigned to them. In those situations, it might be beneficial to form a user’s association. Why? Members of the association will select a contact person that lives in the association to assist in addressing any problems with its infrastructure from the canal and is the first contact in case of an emergency either from its members or the District.
Help! I have a geyser in my yard?
Wenatchee Reclamation District advises its water users to be aware of the shutoff valve for your individual property. If you do not have a shutoff valve on your property, the District would encourage its users to install a valve.
The District maintains ditch bank delivery and can only shut off the water at the canal, which could turn the water off for other properties. If you have a user’s association, the contact person may know of a valve to assist you. Therefore, the first contact should be to your association.
Who is going to repair the irrigation?
Your association will be the best contact. If you do not have an association, remember the District delivers the water to the bank of the canal. The infrastructure conveying the water from the diversion point at the canal are private and not the District’s.
Where is my water? It was supposed to be here on April 1?
It usually takes about 5 days for the canal (that starts in Dryden), laterals, and pipelines to be completely filled.
Why do I have low water pressure?
Low pressure is usually because there is something blocking the water or others on your infrastructure are utilizing the water at the same time. Are the screens on your irrigation system clean? Or, do you have a screen on the diversion box at the canal that needs to be cleaned? The District recommends diversion boxes have a screen, but asks that you get approval from the District for screens in the canal.
I just noticed the No Trespassing on the Canal Right-of-Way sign, does that mean me?
Water users have the right to maintain their diversion box at the canal.
However, the District has only a right-of-way through properties. Therefore, the property owners adjacent to the canal own to the centerline of the canal and the District cannot grant permission to walk on private properties.
I live adjacent to the canal and would like to put a fence and/or landscaping, what do I need to do?
The District wants to work with you. The first thing you need to do is contact the District office with your property address. You will be asked to mark the area where you would like to place the fence and/or landscaping. Arrangements will be made to meet with you to discuss your plans.