Permanent ditches are lined with concrete to eliminate one source of water loss and increase the conveyance efficiency of the water (the efficiency of the water delivery system).  Water losses from open, unlined ditches may be as high as 60% from seepage, evaporation, and water used by weeds in or along the ditches.

Ditch riders try to “foresee” problems that could occur during their 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shifts, for the water runs higher at night. The water association has 16 ditch riders who work the six-day shifts from April 1 to Nov. 1, while the ditches are in use.

We have a really good ditch rider his coverage area is 54 miles along California Mesa, including 26 lateral canals, several users and about 150 pumps. With estimates about 75 of those pumps are illegal.