Chapter 13.40
IRRIGATION DITCHES

Sections:

13.40.010    Irrigation ditch management.

13.40.020    Liability for operation of ditches.

13.40.030    Interruption of tail water flow and ditch modifications.

13.40.040    Private ditch operators.

13.40.050    Transition of irrigation systems to city storm systems.

13.40.010 Irrigation ditch management.

It shall be the responsibility of any irrigation ditch company to maintain irrigation ditches for which it possesses operational jurisdiction in a safe, appropriate, and operational condition. As such, ditch companies are to employ any and all measures necessary to ensure public health, safety, and welfare. The city may cooperate with ditch companies at times and in circumstances deemed appropriate by the city to implement such measures. [Code 2000 § 9-8-1].

13.40.020 Liability for operation of ditches.

Any irrigation ditch company operating an irrigation ditch within West Point City shall assume full liability from property damage or injuries associated with the operation of irrigation company ditches. [Code 2000 § 9-8-2].

13.40.030 Interruption of tail water flow and ditch modifications.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or entity to interrupt the flow of water in irrigation ditches without the expressed permission of the relevant irrigation ditch company. Likewise, no person, firm, or entity shall make any modification to or across any irrigation ditch without expressed written consent on the part of both the relevant irrigation ditch company and the city. [Code 2000 § 9-8-3].

13.40.040 Private ditch operators.

Those stipulations and obligations set forth in WPCC 13.40.010 through 13.40.030 shall also apply to private ditch holders; wherein a “private ditch holder or operator” shall be defined as any person, firm, or entity which owns and/or maintains an irrigation ditch and/or any person, firm, or entity which receives water from a point of diversion from the main irrigation line to a terminating point. [Code 2000 § 9-8-4].

13.40.050 Transition of irrigation systems to city storm systems.

At which point storm water is allowed in irrigation company (supply) ditches by written consent of both the irrigation ditch company and the city, said ditch becomes the property and responsibility of the city. [Code 2000 § 9-8-5].