Manning the Ditches (aka Irrigating the Yard)

Today we have learned how to work the irrigation ditches/gates. Well, that might be stretching it - today we SAW how the irrigation system works - one that has been in place for about 300 years. I think it will take some doing for us to "learn" it.

Anyway, there isn't always water in the ditches - so you have to call the Ditch Walker to find out the schedule and when you should have water. Today was our day. Then because our water runs through our owners' mother's property... it takes some coordination and we've decided (after watching everything he has to do) that it would probably be best for the owner to go ahead and do the watering and we'll mow.

After you get the scheduled water flow you go to the main ditch and shut the overflow gate. There are many gates along the main canal, our's is at the end. The people up-ditch (I guess you would say) will close off the gate below their property (thus ending your flow for the time being) in order to 'flood' their properties. Once they have enough then they will re-open the lower gate and voila, you have flow again! We had to wait for a neighbor to open his lower gate for our flow.

Main Ditch

OK - now you've closed the overflow gate, and opened the gate on the Owner's Mom's place (we'll call him DS and her MamaS) you must also make sure all of her gates are closed or you'll flood her place and not yours. Now the water is running across her property and under the driveway to yours - you open your first gate which floods the back yard. Once it is flooded to your satisfaction (4-5" should do it) you close the first gate and open the second gate which allows for flooding in the front/side yard. The entire process takes about 5-7 hours we've been told, depending on flow.

Our First Gate

Second Gate

The Start of the Flood

And all the while, you have to make sure you don't flood out your neighbor! YIKES - this is a lot of work and looks like a maintenance nightmare with all of the debris running through the ditches. We cleaned out a lot of debris hoping to keep the gates & pipes from stopping up.

And that's how you water in the Bosque (forest/woods) of the Rio Grande River if you have irrigation water rights. I'm guessing it is free (I didn't think to ask) as opposed to paying city water fees if you water with sprinklers, etc. DS mentioned that eventually he will probably drill a shallow well in the back (water table here is only about 5-10' deep) to use for irrigation purposes - that has to be easier than working the ditches for hours.