Basics on Water Ordering
If you're new to irrigation and water ordering, below are some details to get you started! If there isn't enough information, click HERE for our Water Ordering 101 guide.
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Looking for Water Supply update? Keep scrolling down!
Mid-April
Prime the System
KRD receives our water allotment from the US Bureau of Reclamation. The water is diverted from Lake Easton. Once KRD water starts water down the 300+ miles of canal system, KRD will fill the Main, North and South branch canals. When the larger canals are filled, the sub-laterals will then be filled as needed. Any leaks or problems will be repaired as the water comes down the system. When complete, KRD is ready to start delivering water to landowners. It can take up to a week to get the system ready for water deliveries.
Water On/ Water Off
The KRD Board of Directors determines the "water turn-on date" and the per irrigable acre water allotment at the April Board meeting. Each landowner will receive a certain amount of water to use for the entire season (depending on their water rights). In a normal water year (when KRD receives 100% of their allotment from USBR), the latest that we can run irrigation is October 15. In a drought year, that ending date can vary depending on water supply.
What's a Ditch Rider?
A Ditch Rider is someone who turns on and off water on a daily basis. We rely on them to measure all the irrigation water that leaves the canal infrastructure and record it for the landowners on a daily basis. KRD employees 6 Ditch Riders that have their own particular area that they cover. See the list below to determine your Ditch Rider.
When do I call the Ditch Rider?
Ditch Riders take calls from 7:00AM - 7:45AM. Why so early? Because the Ditch Riders are in and out of their vehicles all day turning on and off water which makes it hard to take phone calls. Please call 509-925-6158 during the time that Ditch Riders answer the phones.
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**At this time, the KRD does not accept water orders via email or text.
Why do I have to call 24 - 48hrs in advance?
Landowners MUST call 24 - 48hrs in advance of needing water. We have to bring water down from Lake Easton on a daily basis. Canal infrastructure cannot hold the water for almost 60,000 acres in the District every day so we must release different amounts every day depending on water ordered by landowners. If you do not call a few days in advance, you may have to wait until we have canal capacity to get your allotment to you. If you are using water without ordering or having been told that the water is now available for you, it is considered stealing.
Water Authorization vs. Water Transfer Forms
If you're allowing a person to order your water for your land or to use on lands they manage, please fill out a Water Authorization Form (scroll down below or click HERE to download). If you are selling your water your allotment or giving your allotment to someone else to use, we need to transfer the water from one account to the other. The Water Transfer (HERE) form has to be signed and delivered to the office and mailed to the PO BOX 276, Ellensburg, WA 98926 address.
Frequent Questions
Ditch Riders
Need help determining which ride you're on? Click HERE for maps of the District.
2026 Water Supply Update
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On April 9, 2026 the Bureau of Reclamation announced the April forecast for the Yakima Basin water supply. The adopted Total Water Supply Available mid range estimate for the Yakima Basin indicates the water supply that junior water right holders will receive is 52% for this irrigation season with the low end estimate at 40%. As a result of the current conditions and this forecast the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) has set the water allotment for 2026 at 1.00 cubic feet per second which equals 2.00 acre-feet per assessed acre.
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KRD has started water through the canal system beginning at Lake Easton. You will see water flow throughout the canals and laterals while we take care of any issues that may arise. As a reminder, the KRD canal system and operational roads that surround them are for maintenance and operations only. Please be safe, stay out of the canals and laterals as well as off the ditch bank roads.
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By Monday, April 13, 2026, landowners throughout the system will be able to order water for deliveries to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026 by calling their Ditch Riders at 509-925-6158 between 7:00am-7:45am.