Setbacks
State rules require drain fields and tanks to be set back from watercourses, including irrigation ditches. The exact distances are part of the system design and permit.
Seepage
Unlined ditches seep water into the surrounding ground during irrigation season, which can raise groundwater nearby. Site evaluations take that into account.
Keep irrigation off the field
- Don't flood-irrigate over a drain field
- Route laterals and borders around it
- Keep sprinklers off the field area
Planning a new system
Map ditches, wells and property lines first. Then find the field area that meets every setback. See site evaluations.
Common questions
Can my field be near the acequia?
Only at the required setback distance.
Does flood irrigation hurt my field?
Yes — it saturates the soil the field depends on.
Who owns the ditch?
Often an irrigation district or acequia association.