Kittitas Reclamation District
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.
2025 Water Supply Update
WATER SUPPLY UPDATE, AUGUST 7, 2025 -
The Yakima Field Office provided an update for the August Total Water Supply Available (TWSA) on August 7, 2025. Pro-rationed irrigation districts’ allotment remains at 40%. The season end date for KRD water users will be Wednesday, August 13, 2025. KRD will begin lowering water levels in the canals and laterals early that morning and you will continue to see water levels go down through Friday as the water deliveries for irrigation are shut down. Last date to order water from your Ditch Rider will be Friday, August 8, 2025, between 7:00-7:45AM.
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Note! There will be a small amount of water in the Main Branch Canal and the South Branch Canal as part of KRD’s tributary supplementation program. This water is not available for irrigation.