Obtaining Irrigation Water Rights

This page provides a general overview of the process for obtaining irrigation water service through the Wenatchee Reclamation District.

Important Notice:

This information is intended as a general guide only and may not include all requirements. All water right purchases, transfers, and irrigation service are subject to the District’s Rules and Regulations, Board policies, and applicable procedures. Additional approvals, documentation, fees, or conditions may apply depending on the circumstances of a particular property or transfer. Please refer to the District’s Rules and Regulations and current Fee Schedule for complete requirements.

Step 1: Verify Property is Within District Service Area

Before pursuing water rights, you must confirm that your property is located within the Wenatchee Reclamation District service area.

Properties located outside the District’s service area are not eligible to receive irrigation water service with Wenatchee Reclamation District.

Please contact the District office for assistance in verifying service availability and/or consult our service map.

Step 2: Determine Your Connection Point

To connect to the District’s irrigation system, you must first identify where your property will tie into existing irrigation infrastructure.

Wenatchee Reclamation District is responsible only up to the irrigation canal and diversion box. Any infrastructure beyond that point is privately owned, installed, and maintained. The District does not design, map, or maintain private irrigation systems.

In most cases, interested parties will need to connect to existing private irrigation lines that are already tied into the District system. You should consult neighboring property owners to determine whether irrigation infrastructure exists nearby, where it is located, and whether connection is possible.

Service cannot proceed until a connection point is identified and any required permission to connect to private infrastructure has been obtained.

Step 3: Obtain Permission to Join the Irrigation Line

You must obtain written permission from at least two-thirds (2/3) of the water users served by the irrigation line that will serve your property, or from their authorized representatives.

Wenatchee Reclamation District can provide a current list of water users associated with the applicable irrigation line to assist in obtaining the required approvals. However, the District does not determine, research, or map the location of private irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, as all facilities beyond the diversion box are privately owned and maintained.

The District is not required to assist in identifying the location of a connection point or to research which neighboring properties hold water rights or private irrigation infrastructure.

It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the correct connection point before requesting a list of water users associated with that irrigation line. To facilitate this process, the interested party must provide the District with the names and/or property addresses of neighboring landowners who receive District irrigation water through the applicable line.

Step 4: Purchasing Water Shares & Pump Requirements

Once permission is obtained, you must purchase water shares from an existing water user who has water available for transfer.

    • The purchase of water shares is a private transaction between buyer and seller
    • The District does not participate in pricing, negotiation, or payment
    • Water availability should be verified with the District prior to completing a purchase
    • The District requires a one-share-to-one-acre ratio. At a minimum, property owners must own one (1) water share for each acre of irrigated land.

Each water share is equal to 5.5 gallons per minute (GPM).

Pump Requirement:
A minimum of one share of irrigation water is required for the installation and/or use of a pump at the canal bank.

Step 5: Water Right Agreement

After the purchase is completed, the District will prepare a Water Right Agreement documenting the transfer. The transfer is not considered complete until the agreement has been approved by the District and the water right transfer has been officially recorded. Until that time, the water right is not appurtenant to the property and may not be represented as having been transferred.

  • All parties listed on the property deed must sign the agreement.
  • All signatures must be notarized.
  • If ownership is held by an LLC, corporation, trust, or other legal entity, documentation verifying signing authority may be required.

Step 6: Applicable Fees

Fees associated with water right transfers are established by the Board of Directors and are subject to change.

Applicable fees may include administrative, delivery change, recording, and other charges.

Please refer to the District’s current Fee Schedule or contact the District office for specific fee information related to your transfer.

Step 7: Board Review & Approval

Once all required documents and fees have been received, the transfer will be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration.

  • Board meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month
  • Transfers are not complete until approved by the Board

Step 8: Recording & Completion

After Board approval:

  • The Water Right Agreement will be executed by the District
  • The agreement will be recorded with the appropriate county
  • Recorded copies will be provided to all parties
  • District staff will adjust the diversion box orifice(s) as necessary to reflect the approved water share transfer

Additional Information

The District’s jurisdiction ends at the diversion box. Property owners are responsible for all irrigation infrastructure located beyond that point.
For complete requirements governing irrigation service and water rights, please refer to the District’s Rules and Regulations.


If you have questions or need assistance at any step, please contact the District office at 509-663-0002.