Tumalo Irrigation District

Patrons of Tumalo Irrigation District:

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Over this last weekend – August 10 and 11 - TID attempted to wet the open ditches with a limited amount of water to speed up the delivery when the changeover occurred on Monday morning.  The objective of Tumalo Irrigation District is to distribute water on a fair and equitable basis to each water user according to his or her right, to use the best methods of water management to assure efficient, economic operation and provide the best possible service to water users, to operate and maintain a system capable of storing and delivering water to users when needed, and to encourage wise use and conservation of our finite water resources available to this District. Patrons play a key role in furthering these objectives and TID appreciates your participation. 

As part of TID’s efforts to maximize rotation deliveries, we attempted to wet up ditches with a limited amount of water available to the District for operational water not for delivery and usage for irrigation. This water was not intended to be obstructed for delivery and use by patrons. Instead, this water was released to improve the delivery speed for patrons further down the system. TID understands that not all points of delivery are equal, and that the system is a challenge to make it as equal as possible for all patrons on the ditches. Some areas of the District will see this water in different volumes and water that hits the end of the ditches will be ending in some patron’s ponds.

Here is how you can help. First, please do not put anything in the ditch to divert the flow. Second, please help us monitor the entire open ditch system. Also, if you see something that has been placed in the ditch, call the office. Remember these are unlined canals and it is very possible that unusually high levels of water in one small weak spot could cause a blowout.

Look for this type of activity:

A check board was put in along the main Columbia Southern ditch by Cline Falls Road. That affected the delivery of water to about 6 different properties.

A check structure near Kentucky Road. where the water out of the Phiffer lateral feeds about 20 patrons.

A check structure along the main Colombia Southern ditch by Gerking Market Road and Saddle Drive

Incidents of feed bags and mud flaps placed in ditches have obstructed flows to patrons along some of the smaller laterals along Pinehurst and Horseman Lane. This affects a smaller group of 5 patrons.

And various places around the District locks are being cut from headgates and valve can covers.

Check boards also were added along different areas of the Couch lateral. For instance, by Collins Rd., Walton Rd. and north of Couch Market Rd.  (Note, the part of the system that runs between Walton Rd. and Couch Market Rd. is extremely sensitive to any change of elevation and can cause flooding on a neighbor’s property and can completely dry up the tail ends of the ditches.

The activities described above violate TID’s policies and Oregon law. The District wants to make sure everyone understands these rights and obligations and works towards as fair and efficient a delivery system as possible. We ask for your assistance in that regard. If you notice anything in your area that you have questions about regarding the ditches and structures, please let District staff know.

On a related note, and as most if not, all are aware, your property is subject to TID's 100 plus foot federally granted, state approved, right of way pursuant to the Right of Way Act of 1891. Although TID attempts to provide reasonable notice of intended access to your property, the Easement authorizes District personnel to access your property as needed for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the delivery system, without notice to or permission from you. In addition, State law authorizes irrigation district personnel to access and maintain District infrastructure within the easement and on private portions of ditches. ORS 545.237 (1) states: “The board of directors, its officers or an agent or employee of the board of directors may enter upon land of a water user of the district for inspection, maintenance and regulation of ditches, pipelines, gates, pumps or other water works.”

Enforcement of access rights and compliance with violations can be handled through the District or by the local Watermaster employed by the Oregon Water Resources Department.

For more information about Tumalo Irrigation District and about Patron rights and responsibilities, please refer to the District Water User’s Handbook and the District Bylaws, as well as relevant Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) that are also maintained on the District website under the Services tab.

 Thank You

The Board of Directors of TID