Measuring Devices

Other matters covered in general discussions includes an explana-
tion of the Constant Head Orifice and the effect of gate opening,
variable head and/or tailwater; an explanation of weirs, including
rectangular suppressed, rectangular contracted and Cipolletti types
and weir boxes. Covered thoroughly are the effects of all types of
approach channels, the velocity distribution going through the weir
structure and also velocity of approach. Use of weir tables for
estimating discharge at rectangular checks, etc., is demonstrated
and a comparison of suppressed vs. contracted rectangular weirs
is discussed as well as the reasons leading to the Cipolletti design
and principles.

The streamlines of contraction in flow over weirs and their reduction
in discharge, maintenance of the depth of pool below a weir crest

to a minimum of 1 foot, as well as keeping side clearance above
minimum, and measuring the flow over the weir by turning of the
weir gage at a 45° angle when measuring with gage numbers turned
upstream, are discussed in relation to proper measurement methods
and procedures. It is also pointed out that there are correction
factors available in handbooks for measuring water through sub-
merged weirs, but that this practice is discouraged and farmers
should be informed of irregular delivery under submerged conditions.

The ditchriders are instructed that inspections should be made by
all riders on every CHO, by checking gate opening, comparing stem
measurement with actual gate opening and always setting gates on
the upturn so that tension is kept on the threads; by checking gages,
closing back gate and open front gate, read gages to see if one of
two conditions exist: (a) the gages are level or (b) there is 0. 20-
foot differential; and to be sure there are no rocks or other foreign
objects or materials in vicinity of a gate opening to reduce the area
and discharge.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of various measuring
devices are covered. For instance, meter gate turnouts are rela-
tively inexpensive to build but are undesirable for the type of opera-
tion involving frequent changes. Adjustable Cipolletti weirs ona
common distribution box must be regulated one in relation to the
other, not set independently. When these weirs are preset with

the proper relation between the weirs, the water will distribute
proportionately.

Control Structures

Lateral regulation with control structures to minimize ups and
downs and their resulting effect on all types of measuring devices
are demonstrated and discussed. Preference for carrying all
checks 0.05 to 0.20 foot over overflow portions of structures as
a maximum are explained as permitting both slight ups and downs

13



gate left open so he can clean out the weeds and save the ditchrider
some trouble. The offer is commendable but the farmer will get into
trouble some night and shut off the water. Having closed the gate,

a couple of adjustable weirs on the end of the lateral may receive
extra water. In the morning the ditchrider will find someone waiting
for him with more trouble.

There have been cases of people cutting the chains and changing the
gates in an emergency, and in other ways changing the rate of deliv-
eries. Here again is a case of informing the farmers of the whole
problem. His turnout is there to deliver his water; the rest of that
lateral is there to serve other people. The ditchrider soon learns
that any change made may necessitate changes to all deliveries on
the lateral.

Another good reason for locking the gates is to avoid tampering by
unauthorized persons such as fishermen, hunters, etc.

Pump Operations

The ditchrider not only must know the water users, but also must
know their irrigation system and how they are using the water. The
farmer whose water is supplied by pumps or who irrigates with
sprinklers creates an entirely different situation than one with a
gravity irrigated unit.

Some water users are served by project relift pumps so when the
power goes off, the ditch is dry. However, delay restart devices
are being placed on some of the project pumps and in case of a brief
power outage, as soon as the power service is resumed, the pumps
are automatically restarted.

People with sprinklers are one of the biggest offenders in not provid-

ing disposal or big enough ponds to store a 12- to 18-hour supply of
water, another reason why the ditchrider must know his particular
distribution system so that he may be able to plan ahead for emergencies.

Ditchrider Checks

Periodically, each established ride will be checked by the supervisor
responsible. He will spot check measuring devices and record time of
day and flow. As a followup to these checks, the supervisor will
usually spend a day with a particular ditchrider on his ride and dis-
cuss the findings of his spot check. This type of check has several
different purposes; it is of benefit to the project, to the watermaster
and to the ditchrider himself in correcting deficiencies and helping

to teach him more efficient methods of operation.

If a farmer is complaining about his water, the ditchrider should
always investigate to see whether there is cause for complaint. He



Other points that require explanation are that the Irrigation Division
of the Bureau of Reclamation on the Columbia Basin Project operates
and maintains the works; determines the dollars to be provided annu-
ally in advance by the Irrigation Districts; and collects the entire
sum of the operation and maintenance costs from the districts. The
districts make their collections directly from the water users.

Maintaining the System

It should be stressed that water charges are estimated in advance and
are set at a level to cover, without any surplus, the year's O&M
expenditures. Some years there may be a surplus and in others
there may be a deficit. One may offset the other. If funds are con-
sistently accumulated in excess of costs, reductions will be made in
the water charges.

Each district adds a percentage to the Bureau's charge to cover their
cost of operation and to build up a reserve. The fund is necessary
because the Bureau must be paid in full each year by May 1. Also,
the reserve will be required when the districts take over the opera-
tion and maintenance of the irrigation system some time in the future.

Construction Repayment

Construction repayment is not a part of any of the foregoing charges.
Each block after the test year goes into the 10 development years
still paying only O&M charges. During the development years every
unit must pay the yearly minimum charge for water whether they use
it or not. Charges are graduated during those 10 development years
beginning at 70 percent of the average and ending in the 10th year at
135 percent of the average. In the 11th year the construction charge
is added, but the cost of water drops back to the average of 100 per-
cent on top of which is added the construction charge.

Charges are based, for equality, on land classification. Minimum
purchase of water is for one-half acre-foot less than the allotment.
Supplemental and excess water make up the remainder of water
available to any unit.

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is given emphasis in the ditchrider training,
pointing out that it should be done a bit every day to prevent the
necessity of major emergency repairs, including:

1. Keeping weed racks clean so the water passage is not restricted
or can cause erosion, washed-out structures and overtopped banks.

2. Encouraging grass growth to stabilize banks. A good sod limits

weed growth but streambank grasses growing in the waters edge
trap silt and later will require berming.

15



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26


of the water level with a minimum effect on upstream turnouts.
By carrying and maintaining this overflow, an overflow ratio of
3:1 results, i.e., ona check and pipe inlet. At such a control
there is a 3-foot check opening but with water flowing over all
three sides there is a 9-foot overflow width.

Storage Between Checks

Another operating problem called to the attention of the trainees
includes water storage between checks and the fact that such storage
can be appreciable and, consequently, can greatly delay the move-
ment of changes through a lateral system. Also, if performed
regularly, check regulation is simpler than changing or correcting
each turnout.

Field Observations

A further general discussion on regulation, especially setting checks
and understanding water movement, was carried on during a field
trip with some of the points covered specifically being:

Cipolletti weir - examination of weir pool, use of gage on weir
crest and checking submergence.

CHO - setting opening and gages, further explanation of normal
operating criteria and what to look for to explain possible changes
in flow.

Check regulation - time-saving arrangement of check boards.
Weir box - checking baffle and weir gage.

Adjustable weir regulation - detailed methods of regulation.

General Operation and Maintenance Policy

All dealings with the water users should be on a businesslike basis.
They are members of organized irrigation districts conforming to
state law, and also contract with the United States for repayment of
the reimbursable costs of project construction. The ditchriders
should understand that the general project business operation as well
as its operation and maintenance policies and this subject is included
in the "trainee'' curriculum. For instance, it is explained that the
Columbia Basin, Project is orgapized into three irrigation districts -
Quincy, East and South; that each has a board of directors selected
from the farms within their district and set up to take over the opera-
tion and maintenance at some future date; that each irrigation district
has full-time secretaries to whom the farmers pay their water charges
and through whom many problems are passed on to the Bureau; and
that a joint board composed of members from each of the three district
boards also exists.

14


structures and equipment used daily by the ditchrider are valued at
thousands of dollars and misuse or mistakes can cost additional
thousands.

The training program is intended to acquaint the trainee ditchriders
with as many facets of his job as possible in the hopes that through
subsequent supervision, training and experience he can assume the
full responsibility of a ditchride and become an important member of
an important business venture - that of delivering and selling water.

18


General Flow Equation

The general flow equation for water is:
Q = AV (Quantity = Area x Velocity)

In this form the equation relates to open flow channels, turnouts, all .
measuring devices and pipelines. Adding a coefficient for type of

opening, the equation becomes: Q = CAV. Velocity can be shown

by the equation: V = V2gh, (Velocity = the square root of 2 x gravity L
x the head difference). Now writing the general flow equation:

Q = CAYV2gh.

The general flow equation is illustrated in the following example.
Lets say A is the size of chute a band of sheep is going to run through.
Velocity is the speed the sheep move and requires energy to be
changed. If the sheep are prodded they move faster, energy is added.
Velocity being a function of the head, theoretically, head is added to
the sheep to speed them up. The coefficient ''C" is the slowing down
of the sheep as they near the opening which retards the average speed
a little so the sheep won't get stuck. In other words, the coefficient
is applied to account for the confusion that occurs entering the chute.
The rate "Q" is the actual number of sheep that get through the chute
in a given time expressed as x number of sheep per minute. Ref-
erence material cited for study by the trainees includes simple
hydraulics and the Bureau's Water Measurement Manual.

Factors Affecting Measurements and Waterflows

Pressure

Pressure and its relation to head and waterflow and also its effect
on different areas is also discussed with the trainees as these terms
may be encountered in daily operations. For instance, 50 pounds of
force spread over 1 square foot equals only 0. 35 pounds per square
inch. A head of water 10 feet high creates a pressure of only about
5 pounds per square inch (psi). Suppose this is ina pipeline with

a manhole that has 5 psi pressure on it. If the manhole is 15 inches
square it has an area of 255 square inches. Five psi sounds like a
very small pressure and would lead one to believe that it would be a
simple matter to remove the cover, but 5 psi x 255 square inches =
1, 275 pounds.

Erosion »
The relationship of area to velocity involving erosion can be explained
by water trying to get around a weed in the ditch. The reduced area

due to the space occupied by the weed causes increased velocity around
the weed and results in erosion.

12


CHO set for 2.00 cubic feet per second, gages differential is
only 0.15 foot. To get the proper charge select the correction
factor for a head of 0.15 which is 0.87 x 2.00 = 1. 74 charge.

12. Water purchase sheets sent to the ditchrider are the formal
notice that water may be delivered to a unit. Verbal notice is
often given from the office so that the ditchrider will know of
new purchases in case the mail delivery is delayed.

13. Enter the amounts of supplemental purchases in the ditch-
ride book and update the proper balance.

14, Limit the entries on any one order card to a single turnout.
Units with more than one turnout should use a different card for
each turnout to avoid confusion.

It is most important that a new employee understand that the ditch-
ride book should be a complete record of everything that transpired
each day on the ditchride. Nothing should be left to the imagination
or memory.

Units of Water Measurement

The units of water measurement are covered in detail in the Columbia
Basin Project training course and are presented as a part of the dis-
cussions so that questions may be encouraged. A few of the problems
that might elicit other questions are given after explaining some of
the more commonly used terms. The problems are then worked by
the trainee and later discussed. Some of the typical problems are
being included herein.

Cubic -foot-per-second

The basic unit of water measurement used on the Columbia Basin

Project is the cubic-foot. This is a volume of water. Water deliv-
eries and measurements are made and recorded in cubic-feet-per-
second (cfs), a rate of flow of 1 cubic-foot of water passing a given
point every second, not to be confused with a volume measurement.

In practice it works out like this, if a cubic-foot of water per sec-
ond is delivered for 60 seconds, the total volume of water delivered
will be 60 cubic-feet.

Second -foot-day

The two most common volume units of water measurement used on
the project are the second-foot-day (sfd) and the acre-foot. One
second -foot-day (sfd) is the amount or volume of water that has
been delivered when 1 cubic-foot-per-second has been running for
24 hours or 1 day. Thus, 1 second-foot-day.



DITCHRIDER TRAINEE PROGRAM
Introduction

One of the more difficult but recurring jobs on any irrigation proj-
ect, particularly on the larger ones, is the proper training of ditch-
riders prior to their assuming full responsibility for their respec-
tive rides. Through a period of several years, the Columbia Basin
Project, in central Washington State, with the approval of the Civil
Service Commission, has developed a good system of training through
which they put their new ditchriders each year, including a training
school, just prior to the beginning of the irrigation season. The
principles comprising the Columbia Basin training system and school
are set forth in some detail herein with the thought that operators

of other projects may wish to adapt some of these ideas to fit the
needs of their own training programs.

The training program developed is designed to halve the time required
to qualify a person to perform the work required. The training period
is 26 weeks and the Watermaster is directly responsible for all trainees
assigned to his section. This includes the classroom training, indi-
vidual coaching, on-the-job training, and evaluation of the individual
periodically during and at the end of the training period. For this
latter purpose, a special form prepared for use on the Columbia Basin
Project "Report of Ditchrider Trainee" will be found at the end of

this article. Also, at the end of the narrative statement is an out-
line of the Columbia Basin training program which presents an idea

as to how it is organized. It will be noted that 3 days are devoted
annually to the intensive field demonstrations and special instruc-

tion. The "training school" curriculum includes 1 day of instruction
and discussion of water measurement and measuring devices, with the
morning of the first day spent in the field demonstrations. The second
day is devoted to a discussion of ditchrider responsibilities and water
records and the third day to relations with irrigation districts and
farmers, preventive maintenance work in connection with daily water
regulation and a field demonstration of preventative maintenance activ-
ities. This schedule may be revised or altered each year.

Water Regulation

The morning session devoted to field demonstrations, during which
the trainees actually make dry-run regulations of water, covers the
use of such regulating and measuring devices as checks, weirs, con-
stant head orifices (CHO), meter gates and Parshall flumes. Making
liberal use of the Bureau's Water Measurement Manual during the
demonstrations and in the afternoon session of water measurement
and measuring devices, the principles of measurement methods are
discussed. Also discussed is lateral regulation as it affects deliv-
eries, downstream conditions and other lateral systems.



Third Day - Afternoon Session

VII. Field Trip to Demonstrate Preventive Maintenance Work

Delbert Suggs
1. Grass plantings and identification
2. Erosion control by grass growth
3. Possibly some weed identification

Bill Gray
1. Bank erosion by wind
2. Water erosion of banks in sandy laterals
3. Weed racks (purpose and maintenance)

24


D. Parshall flumes
1. Visit to one of these if possible
2. Go through measurement procedures

E. Lateral regulations
1. Dry-run lateral diversion check regulation
2. Downstream delivery change from lateral and check
regulations continuing downstream making regulations
as time permits

Il. Afternoon Session - Water Measurement and Measuring Devices

A. General flow equation
Q=AV=AxC Yeh
Determinations of A
Determinations of H
Determinations of C

Tolerances or limits of accuracy

oRwurH

B. Weirs

1. Cipolletti, rectangular, rectangular suppressed
(weir boxes) sharp and broad crest

2. Proper installation and maintenance of proper physical
features for accurate weir measurement. Explanation
of effects of each (page 9 of Water Measurement Manual).

3. Approved method of measuring head over weir with weir
gages and explanation of reasons for using this method

4. Importance of clean weir pool and weir crest and opening
being free of weeds, grass, etc.

5. Submergence of weirs, submerged weir graphs and tables,
quick calculation of flow over submerged weirs (upstream
measurement in cfs one-half downstream measurement
in cfs = discharge)

6. Adjustable weirs - methods of regulating two or three
located in the same weir pool or pipe division box

7. Use of portable weirs for determination of lateral loss
allowances for single delivery laterals

C. Constant head orifices

Size of orifice determinations

Checking or setting of 0 - gate openings

Checking gage settings

Explanation of advantages and disadvantages of this
measuring device, proper procedure for making regula-
tions, the functional purpose of each gate, influence
farm operations have on flow variations, etc.

5. Proper procedure for making water changes or water

regulation

wwe

21



CONTENTS- -Continued

Miner's Inches... ..... cece eee cee teen eee teens scenes
Gallons-per-minute ...... cee ee eee ee eee eee eee eens
General Flow Equation.........-..+.-065 cece eee eens
Factors Affecting Measurements and Waterflows...........-
PLeSSULFE. .. ccc eee eee been wees see eee
Erosion. .......ee eee eee beeen rene eee eee teen rene eens
Measuring Devices...... See ee ee eee eee ene en ees
Control Structures ..........-. wena scene ee ee eens .
Storage Between Checks ...... eee secre ere eee e ee eee
Field ObservationS ....... ce cee ee ee ee ee eee cere eens eee
General Operation and Maintenance Policy..... eens eenee seas
Maintaining the System ............-4- seca cece sence eee
Construction Repayment .........++-+ ween eee we nnee eeeae
Preventive Maintenance..........++- wee eee eee etre eeee
Weed Control....--.seeeeeeee . sete ee teeeee cor seeee
Summary ..... been eee eee see e eee eee ween eee ee eee sees
Appendix .... cece eee cece cette renee eee ete e eee ee ne ennes
Outline Ditchrider Training Program..... see e renee wees
Report of Ditchrider Trainee.......-. eee cere eee ee eee

Ditchrider Handbook ...

12
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
15
17

17

19
20
25

27


CONTENTS

Ditchrider Trainee Program

Page
Introduction. ... 0... eee cee cette nets 1
Water Regulation... . 0.0.0... cee cee cee eee ene 1
Ditchrider Responsibilities ........ 0.0... cece ee eee 2
Employment, Leave and General Duties............... 2
Hours of Work. ..... 0... ce cece cece eee eee ene 2
Water User Relations ......... 0... 0. cece eee eee eee 3
Ditchrider Beats. ... 0.0... ccc cece ee ee eee 4
Water Orders 2... 0... eee eee eee 4
Locking GateS....... ieee eee eee ene 4
Pump Operations ....... 6... cee cece ee eee ne 5
Ditchrider Checks ...... ccc cece cece ee cece eee 5
Request for Repairs. ...... cece cee eee eee 6
Claims Against the Government ................00000- 6
Filling Pipelines. ......... cece cece eee nee 6
WeedS 2. eee ccc ete eee eee eee e ete 6
Rodents. ... 0... cece ccc eee e tte 6
Encroachments ..... cece eee cece ee eee eee eee 6
Daily Reports 2.0... .. cee eee eee eee 7
Record Keeping .............. bee ence ee eee een ees 7
Units of Water Measurement............... beeen eee e eee 9
Cubic-foot-per-second .............. beeen eee eee 9
Second-foot-day ©... . ccc ccc ee eee ee 9
Acre-feet......... sce eee eens peeeeee beeen eee eee 10



Problem No. 1

If a second-foot-day is the amount or volume of water delivered
when 1 cubic-foot-per-second has been running for 24 hours, what
is the amount or volume of water in cubic-feet that has been
delivered in that 24 hours?

Ans.: Leuft 60sec 60 mi
TM oe eg Pe x pe x 24 hours = 86, 400 cu ft

Problem No. 2

Two cubic-feet of water per second delivered for 24 hours would
be 2 sfd. If 1 cubic-foot-per-second was delivered for 72 hours,
how much water would that be in sfd?

Ans.: 72h
ns 1 cfs x 57 pe = 3 Sid

Acre-feet

The second volume measurement in use is the acre-foot. This is
the amount of water necessary to cover 1 acre 1 foot deep. There
are 43,560 square feet in an acre.

Problem No. 3

How many cubic-feet are there in an acre-foot of water?

Ans.: sq ft _ cu ft
43, 560 Sore x 1 foot = 43, 560 Scre-feet

Problem No. 4

If there are 43, 560 cubic-feet per acre-foot and 86, 400 cubic-
feet per sfd, how many acre-feet are there in 1 sfd?

Ans.: 86,400 cu ft/sfd _ _
73-560 ou ft/acre-feet * 1: 9835 acre-ft/sfd

Problem No. 5
How many acre-feet in 2 cfs running for 24 hours?
Ans.: Two cfs running for 24 hours = 2 sfd = 2 x 1. 9835

acre-ft = 3.9670 acre-feet or approximately
4 acre-feet.

10


IRRIGATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Bulletin No. 50

OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER 1964

Ditchriders and zanjeros, the latter a Spanish term used in the South-
west, designate the men who control the water deliveries and patrol
waterways on irrigation projects in the United States. They are impor-
tant to the successful operation of an irrigation project, and, undoubt-
edly have been since the practice of irrigation began. In addition to
distributing the projects' water, and seeing that conveyance systems
for handling this principal project commodity are in satisfactory
condition, the ditchrider is an important public relations man, and

a well-qualified responsible ditchrider or zanjero is an asset, in

fact a necessity, in the satisfactory operation and administration of
an irrigation project. It is fitting, then, that this our fiftieth issue

of the bulletin be devoted to these men and their training.

As depicted on the front cover, time changes most everything. The
first ditchriders must have made their rounds on foot, gradually
utilizing other means of locomotion as it became available. In the
United States the record shows that saddle horses; horse-drawn
carts, buggies, and wagons; motorcycles; and other motor-driven
vehicles have been used in making the project ''rides,'"' that the
ditchrider must make in covering his "beat.'' The modern radio-
equipped automobile is in contrast to the horse-drawn cart shown

on the cover. If the past is an indication of the future, additional
changes will occur, such as the automatic and remote control equip-
ment depicted also on the cover that is now in use on the Salt River
Project in Arizona. Such automation provides for greater efficiency,
more rapid changes in distribution of water, and increased safety

in project operation during emergencies. Nevertheless, the services
of competent and well-trained men to maintain vigil in project opera-
tion and maintenance and in the maintenance of personal relationships
between administrators and water users will continue to be necessary.
It is suspected that these men will be "ditchriders."

A good competent ditchrider becomes such only after experience and
training. Where large numbers are needed to staff new projects,

this becomes a problem. On such projects, time generally does not
permit inexperienced personnel to become sufficiently trained through
practical field experience to assume the necessary responsibilities,
therefore, supplementary training has become important in several
instances. This supplementary training is the subject of this issue
of the bulletin dedicated to the conscientious men who control the
day-by-day distribution of irrigation water so vital to the economic
life of a project.


3. Prevention of wind erosion of soil if the land is bare. Weeds
or other vegetation may be of help in holding soil. Possibly the

weeds are temporarily doing some good but seeding grass in the

weeds should be tried.

4, Removal of rocks in laterals that catch weeds.

5. Repairing operation roads which may consist of hauling a few
loads of gravel and dirt for sinkholes, etc.

6. Making temporary repairs on small washouts. If the washout
is too big when found, the water should be shut off first and a call
made for help. The ditchrider must consider what can happen and
weigh the values resulting if the water is shut off. Possibly the
water can be taken in another lateral. The ditchrider must be
careful about arbitrarily shutting off water, and in any event the
watermaster should be notified of action taken as soon as possible.

Procedures in handling and repairing canal breaks are discussed.
The fact that all breaks are different and present varied possibilities
of control is stressed. The new employees are instructed that sacks
or canvas should be carried to assist in stopping imminent ditch breaks
and that baled hay and straw also are good tools for this purpose.
They are informed, however, that at best, these procedures are only
temporary, and accordingly, all possible regulations and diversions
should be utilized to lower water levels in the vicinity of ditch breaks
and that it may be possible to lower water levels enough to keep the
water from going out through the break and still maintain deliveries
to others on the lateral. The easiest way out, of course, is to turn
the water off at the head of the lateral but with a little thought, the
flow or a reduced flow might be maintained for deliveries.

One of the most important preventive maintenance jobs will be to
develop a plan, even a very loose flexible plan, of attack when con-
fronted with an emergency. A good ditchrider should be thinking all
the time and take very little for granted.

Rodent control, covered very briefly previously, is becoming more
important every year as stands of grass mature and spread on a new
project such as the Columbia Basin. Gophers, squirrels, badgers
and mice are of direct concern. Ditchriders will be expected to doa
certain amount of trapping and poisoning.

Repairs should be made to damaged structures regardless of who
caused the damage. Bent gate frames or broken gate wheels should
be reported in the proper manner.

In pump operation, some of the things a ditchrider will need to watch
are:

16


~

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation

IRRIGATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

BULLETIN NO. 50

October. November, December, 1964

In This Issue:
Ditchrider Trainee Program


Water User Relations

The general relations with water users and the importance of treat-
ing all alike is stressed in the training school. Further, the employee
is instructed to be very careful about giving advice to water users
concerning their farm operation. Information on farming operations
is available from the Soil Conservation Service and County Agents,
and farmers should be courteously referred to these agencies when
farming questions arise. The acceptance of gifts of any type by
employees is called to the attention of new personnel, explaining
that the practice must be avoided since it can jeopardize a ditch-
rider's position and result in questions concerning his ability to
perform his duties impartially.

On the Columbia Basin Project the law requires that water be paid
for in advance of deliveries. The ditchrider is instructed to deliver
water only to those farm units which his watermaster or branch
office has informed him are eligible. When a water user has used
up the amount of water he has paid for, it is his duty to shut off the
water until notified by the watermaster or branch office that he has
purchased additional water. Good public relations require that the
water user be given advance notice before shutting the water off.

Agreements made between the farmers and the Government which
constitute general operating policy may be revised or changed from
time to time by mutual consent. The prospective ditchrider is in-
formed concerning these agreements and also informed that it is

his responsibility to understand these agreements and try to ex-
plain them to the farmer. In this way, better understanding is
imparted to the ditchrider of project work and responsibilities and,
consequently, a better working relationship is created between the
ditchrider and his supervisor. In this same area of discussion, the
project supervisors want the ditchriders to handle everything possible
in the field and on the job, because they are closer to the detail oper-
ations; however, ditchriders are instructed to contact their super-
visors (watermasters) if in doubt on particular cases. In the more
difficult situations, even though corrective action has been taken,

the supervisor should be acquainted with the circumstances. The
ability of the ditchrider to handle complaints and problems without
the assistance of the supervisor increases as experience is gained.

The ditchrider can help public relations by being familiar with the
reasons for pertinent project regulations, as water users may some-
times be inclined to think that the project's regulations are arbitrary
and feel the project administrators are being uncomprising and stern
in enforcement of the regulations. When this occurs, a brief on-the-
spot explanation by the ditchrider can go a long way to improving proj-
ect water user relations. The difference between a good ditchrider
and a poor ditchrider is often that a good ditchrider knows what he is
doing and why he is doing it. The poor ditchrider is doing things from
day to day without fully knowing why.



Ditchrider Responsibilities

The duties of ditchriders are discussed in relation to progressive
responsibility and reduced supervision as trainees receive additional
training and experience. It is pointed out that the more experience
and knowledge an employee has and the sooner it is applied, the better
prepared he will be to meet the qualifications for a promotion. Work-
ing conditions, such as tour of duty, period of employment and working
hours are explained and in some instances, actual public relation prob-
lems are cited. During the training sessions the ditchrider handbook
is thoroughly covered. Much of the material presented to the trainees
during their training period is summarized in brief form in the "Ditch-
rider Handbook.'' Supplements and corrections to this booklet are
issued as necessary as conditions warrant or are deemed desirable.
One present supplement is concerned with weed control; another with
safety in equipment operation, another with safety in operating pump-
ing plants, etc. The handbook is reprinted as an attachment to this
issue of the bulletin.

Employment, Leave and General Duties

On the Columbia Basin Project, ditchriders are generally hired on
a 12-month-duty basis. They must be generally available 24 hours
a day during the irrigation season to meet operational emergencies,
to perform emergency services and to assure efficient operation and
adequate protection of the irrigation system. During the nonirriga-
tion season, the ditchriders are utilized as canal maintenance men,
equipment operators, truck drivers, etc., in the maintenance of the
system facilities.

The ditchrider is, of course, responsible for the safety and proper
operation of channels and structures in his area and prior arrange-
ments are required for any absence from the regular beat during the
irrigation season. Accordingly, leave of any type, annual or sick,
must be arranged for in advance as early as possible, since scheduling
for relief or substitute ditchriders can often be a complicated problem.
Whenever possible, particularly if the regular ditchrider is to be absent
for several days, it is better to allow the substitute rider to spend sev-
eral days with the regular ditchrider and become gradually acquainted
with the ditchrider beat prior to taking over his beat.

Hours of Work

The regular workweek for ditchriders on the Columbia Basin Project
is Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day with
a half-hour lunch period. A tour of duty of 8 hours on Saturday or
Sunday of overtime is required during the irrigation season each week.


D. Daily reports

E. Contacts with water users
Inquiries and complaints

IV. Afternoon Session - Water Records

Instruction and actual practice in interpreting and maintaining
the following water records:

A. Canal diversion record
B. Daily deliveries

C. Wasteway records

D. Water request cards
E. Water purchase notice

Third Day - Morning Session

Instructor:
V. Relations with Irrigation Districts and Farmers - E. H. Neal

VI. Preventive Maintenance Work in Connection with Daily Water
Regulation

A. General maintenance, Marvin Sektnan, Assistant Irrigation
Manager, East Low Field Branch

Suggested items for discussion:
1. Effects of tumbleweeds, cattail growth, etc.
control in laterals
Use of weeds, etc., to control bank erosion
Proper procedure for cleaning weeds from a lateral
that is full of weeds (work from end upstream)
4, Checking turnout gates for weeds
5. Methods of available means of checking or temporary
repair of incipient washouts - bags of sand, canvas,
baled straw, etc.

» on erosion

ww

B. Relift pumps - G. R. Burrows, Chief, Maintenance
Engineering Branch, and Warren Heldenbrand, Pump
Maintenance, Franklin Field Branch

C. Weed control - Delbert Suggs, Weed Specialist

Weed identification, hand spraying weeds, soil
sterilants, etc.

23



D. Meter gates

1. Relationship to CHO or other orifice-type measuring
devices

2. Setting of zero gate opening

3. Function of check facilities in caboose similar to that
of backgate of CHO

4. Method of measuring head

5. Checking meter wells to see if they are functioning
properly

E. Parshall flumes
1. Characteristics of Parshall flumes
2. Method of water measurement

3

Principles of other water measurement methods
1. Use of current meters and recorders
2. Measurement over check boards for waste measurements,
checks on lateral losses, etc.

G. Units of measurement and terminology
1. Gpm, miner's inches, cfs, sfd, acre-ft

H. Lateral regulation as it affects deliveries, downstream
conditions, or other lateral systems

Second day
Instructor:
Reference: Ditchrider's Handbook

Ill. Morning Session - Discussion of Ditchrider Responsibilities

A. Personal conduct
Hours of work

B. Operating a ditchrider beat
Establishing a regular beat
Payment in advance

Water orders

Water request cards
Locking gates

Filling pipelines

QoukwNr

C. Inspection and maintenance of a beat
Weeds

Rodents

Encroachments

Farm structures affecting delivery
Claims

obwnre

22


Our Fiftieth Issue

This is Issue No. 50 of a publication intended solely to provide a

means of exchanging operation and maintenance ideas between irriga-
tion project personnel and to serve as an outlet for general information
that is deemed of value to project operators. In the past our publica-
tion was known as Operation and Maintenance Equipment and Procedures.
For some reason it became known and was usually referred to as a
"bulletin. Therefore, beginning with this, our Golden" issue, we

are officially calling the publication a "bulletin," and at the same time
changing the name for brevity to Irrigation Operation and Maintenance.

In a large sense, we are only the editors of the "bulletin," publish-
ing material prepared by people in the field who encounter an opera-
tion or maintenance problem and solve it through their own initiative
and practical approach. It is surprising to find how many problems
encountered on a project are common to other projects, and how often
the means of solving the problems of one project can be adapted to
local conditions on another project. We also have been pleasantly
surprised to have so many of you share your ideas. We have never
lacked material for the "bulletin, '' since we began publication in

1952. We wish to express our appreciation to all who have contrib-
uted to the success and usefulness of the "bulletin" which started with
the first issue of 300 copies distributed primarily to Bureau of Recla-
mation constructed projects in the western portion of the United States.
Requests for the "bulletin, '' worldwide now, require that we print

800 copies. Our readers are apparently interested in your means of
solving irrigation problems, and we will continue to publish them in
our renamed, but otherwise, unchanged publication.

Copies of all releases of the Operation and Maintenance Equipment
and Procedures series except Releases No. 1, 3, 8 and 16 are avail-
able in the office of Chief Engineer, Attention: Code D-400, Build-
ing 53, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. Release
No. 1 is out of print and will not be reprinted; Releases No. 3, 8 and
16 were incorporated into Release No. 37 which was devoted to the
subject of ''Equipment for the Prevention, Control and Disposal of
Weeds on Irrigation Projects."

%
*
*
*
*



Changing cfs to sfd or acre-feet is changing rate of flow into a
volume.

1 cfs for 60 sec = 60 cu ft
1 cfs for 1 hour = 3, 600 cu ft
1 cfs for 24 hours = 86, 400 cu ft

86, 400 cu ft/day .
43, 560 cu ft/acre-feet ~ !- 9835 acre-ft/day

As a matter of general information, 1 sfd can cover approximately
the following per day:

2 acres - 1 foot deep

4 acres - 6 inches deep

8 acres - 3 inches deep
Also 1 cfs running for 10 days would cover 80 acres 3 inches deep,
assuming, of course, there is no loss due to evaporation, seepage,

Miner's Inches

The miner's inch will vary with the states. In the State of Washington
50 miner's inches - lcfs or in 24 hours = 1 sfd. This unit of meas-
urement, however, is not used on the Columbia Basin Project.

Gallons-per-minute

Gallons-per-minute is a term that is used occasionally and must be
understood in relation to other volume terms, 1 cfs - 448 gpm.
Gallons-per-minute (gpm) conversion to cfs is explained in the fol-
lowing problem.

Problem No. 6

Irrigation with 100 sprinklers where each head puts out 6 gpm
will require how much water?

Ans.: 100 x 6 = 600 gpm, but to convert to cfs we must
divide 600 gpm by 448 gpm = 1. 34 cfs required.

Variations in sprinkler systems due to pressure changes resulting
from moving the laterals or wear in the sprinkler nozzles often
occurs. This must be considered in system design along with the
ever-present need for waste disposal and/or storage capacity.

11



APPENDIX

19


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wos UT pub Is8eUeM UOT eBTAIT ay JO uot a108Tp
947 38 2q pue Aq peT{orquos aq T{ TM *zaAamoy
‘suoyqoe yons T1y ‘qoafoad 9y3 JO J1ed ayQ uo
SuOTSsa0U0. sased aos uy pure asuadxe siesn aejemn
343 38 wazsks sayz 07 SUOTIBOTFTpow aq Aew arayz
“€ pue Z swazy7 Buy [puey ut yey) pazoadxa sq 3]

*2a}sPMIa3eM

94a Aq pereeyo adqaap Buzanseam aya JO ButpooTz
943 eAeY IO WaTqoid ay} 3daz109 ysnu ey Aouaytotzap
STY 03 SB 19339] B aAzedeX Jou PTP asN 103eM 3y3

FI ‘Aduapozzap ay3 zo ares 2422 02 sjuswe8ue11e
apew eaey Koya se uz} Yons T73uN 123391 [euqszI0
34) UT peIeZ3s 3ua3xe 943 03 pagzuT] a3qeM a}9y3
eared TTeYys [Few 10 uozzOe fq Pepuodsaz jou aney
Pup 8193391 peAtecer oym siasn 193em asoyy €

*eu0p 24 03 YIOM UOTIBOTZT390r 943 IO amt

JO UOFsuaIxS pazzWTT eB UT pazinoUoD sey 21039a1qp
JOFAISTP uoTIeByzazayz §,298N 193M 934} 19338 pue
UOFIOB Yons paies{o sey 1eSeuem uoTIesyAzy aya
19738 1spio AreAtTap 193eM TINS 1fay2 asataoar
Seu 3} Jo a1ed aye 03 puazuT Inq wetqozd azayy
eABY TITIS pue 819330] paatasaz OyM asouy *Z

*30u 10 adqAep

3uyinseow BuypooTz sty Jnoge 1933a1 & paataoar
Zasn 193eM ay JayIaYyM Zo Sse [pae8e1 [eaoidde
ueq7TAM aaey Leyi ssazuN aoTAap Suyinseow Aue
JO Buypooy,z ay3 yquWIad you T1eYys stepyzazyo3zqq *]

319784 Jo Kranz ap
94a But,puey 103 <{dde SuoTJonI3suT BuzMoT [oy ayy

“paed 10 uoz30e8 hq 194379

‘papuodsei jou aaey swog ‘OS Op 02 sjuama8uPazIe
Suyyew are 10 ®TqN0IZ BY Jo aed UayeI 1ayITe
aaey A3710few ayz 2eyR Sd}BOTpuT siasn 19324
ewes 942 0} Juas JapuyWaI quaoar 247 02 asuodsay

‘wa3shs sty ut
PezeuzBytI10 etqnoz3 ayz S19YM PeTZTI001 aq sadqAep
Suyinseaw 03 SePOUSTOT Jap 3eYyI BuTyse saasn 1a3aqeM
Auew 07 Quas aiam 819339] ‘tajuqM 4sed 2943 B3uzang

wa3shs voy e8z117 Butjeredo 10; saanpeo
-0ad pasqaar - SaoTAep Buyinseaw papoory :30efqng

00% - 2z0stazadng uoy3e8q227 Butqoy swo1zg
0L% ‘09% ‘OSY ‘Ovy - sxa8euEy UoTIeSTI21 tO],

7961 “61 youRW

57



should try to find out what the complaint is about, and if it cannot
be resolved and if the farmer keeps complaining after the problem is
explained to him, the matter should be reported to the watermaster.

Request for Repairs

Forms are available to the ditchrider to record not only repairs needed
on the delivery system, but other situations that should be brought to
the supervisor's attention, including seepage, erosion, etc.

Claims Against the Government

If a water user believes he has a complaint against the Government,
the ditchrider should not agree, disagree, suggest, guess or suppose.
The water user should be told to write the project manager and the
ditchrider should make a report to his immediate supervisor.

Filling Pipelines

Ditchriders are instructed to use extreme care in filling pipelines.
All available valves, turnouts, etc., should be opened and the pipe
should be filled very slowly. Air trapped in a pipeline is compres-
sible and with the tremendous weight of water pounding on it, high

pressures can build up.

CHO vent pipes should also be kept clean as the effect of trapped air
in this case reduces pipe area and thereby reduces the flow.

Weeds

Where noxious weeds, such as thistle, etc., are growing on rights-
of-way, ditchriders are expected to treat or mark them for treat-
ment, Portable spray cans are made available to ditchriders on the
Columbia Basin Project. A good weed control program can only be
maintained by ditchrider assistance in the investigation of any patches
of weed on rights-of-way that are reported by farmers.

Rodents

Rodents can weaken canal banks and can be particularly disastrous
around structures. The ditchriders should report all rodent activity
and encourage rodent control by water users.

Encroachments

Because of problems that can be created during O&M operations,

ditchriders may have to explain to the farmers the need to refrain
from encroaching on rights-of-way. Common encroachments are:
parking on ditchbanks, hauling produce on operating roads, using
gates when cattle guards should be used, placing head ditches and
other structures on rights-of-way where the space may be needed

6


1. Diverting water into the head of the lateral to fill new orders
taking into account the amount of waste at the end that can be used
and also adding ditch losses that may require a greater diversion
than the actual new orders.

2. Single unit delivery laterals with measuring device at the
head and the application of a considered ditch loss allowance.

3. Diversion to a sublateral with four deliveries without a
wasteway.

4, Units having two turnouts, and therefore two delivery sheets,
but one water balance from which both deliveries must be sub-
tracted.

5. How to handle water charges on relift pumps when power out-
ages shut the pump off and curtail the delivery for several hours.
Charging only for the hours run, divided by 24 times the discharge
at the previous visit.

Example: Ran 8 hours at 2.00 cubic feet per second

6. Checking each turnout delivering water to determine pre-
vious 24-hour charge prior to making any changes or checking
gates for weeds, etc.

7. Evening report of diversions, deliveries and waste which
summarize what was done for the day with the water and whether
or not more water is needed tomorrow (plus) or whether water
is to be put back into the main lateral (minus).

8. Water request cards for turn on, turn off or changes must
be handled and recorded in the ditchride book in the space pro-
vided and on the proper day.

9. The policy on the Columbia Basin Project is to never charge
the farmer for more water than he orders. If he receives less
than his order, charge him with what he receives.

10. How to charge if a weed is in a headgate and there has been

a reduced flow for an unknown time. Policy on the Columbia Basin
Project is to assume the headgate has been plugged for the previous
24 hours.

11. Constant head orifice corrections when gage differential is
other than 0. 20 foot should be applied to get a corrected dis-
charge. Correction factors are available on the CHO tables and
should be used. For example:


OK KK OK

+squeyd 943 punoie

Aqzadoid aytqzasnquios 12430 Aue pue s1aA0o
4ojOM SPAUED F]NPUCD sTqTXETF UO TaA0> Teqqna
“gsaouaz JJO Supzpueates ay uing 03 70U uoyyneo
aspozexe ‘ystqqnia pue spean Zutuing uedM "6

*s9yo7 TAS wozynqysnd yzTM s10jzoW FFO anys ‘8

*poom jo evetd
e yaqm soeqd ut g10}09e3U09 yDOTG you Og *L

‘apew aaey Avu oy
yoTyA saye3sTw fue jx0da1 T1eys Jozezedo uy °9

suopqounz Tew
ay Supyureou0d uot IBULOJUT aqzetduoo Buyzats
<KjaqeTpammy 19zsewIIIEM zo oyUueYyooU queqd
aya AJ7I0u 02 SF AOPTIYOITP OUI « gyxadoad
SuyyI0M Jou sf 10 Suoim se08 Buyyzowo0s FIT “S

sapqTayorTp a3 OF Aat1Fqatsuodser

Suyunsse 07 zopad 19aqsew197eh pue oypueyoou
queqtd ay3 Aq queqd Buzdund yore 103 soinpssoid
Buyaeaedo aadoad ay} 07 Se paqgonaqsut aq 11PUs
ay fuosees Buzaeredo ay3 BuyAnp eptsAyorTP e
poustsse St 1epTA4oITP quaisazjtp & UeUM ‘quetd
yore qe o7UBYyOow queqd 943 4aF4 saainpasoid
Suzjeredo MotAeI TTY Zazsew197eM Sfy pue TOpTt
-yov TP Buyjeredo 943 zeak yore aouo 3sv2aT IV 7

T
syouerg

saofhisg [eoTUYyoeL oy? pue youezq pTetF 243 JO
jeuuosiad usemjeq epem eq [TeYys UOTIIeII0D SIT
oJ squomesueize ‘uosees Suyjzezado ey3 Buzinp
pajou oq woTzFpuoD ayesun ue PTNOYS suosees
uoyzeBZAIF ayz JO 31eIs 94a OF azoyad 189k
yors sustueyoow Buyzqeredo [o1}U00 T1F asnf pe
pue ueey> ‘qoedsuy [ITA oFUeyOoU quetd aun *€

+zosqAiadns 17043 &q
sopueyoom quetd yzzM pemaTAer 2q TIT seanpasoid
Buy3ezedo ayes uo Buyuzesy puke suofyonsz3sul “7

*szaued TorqU0D aY42 UO aoetd

queuyuoid e uy WI0F quouewsed uz pazunom 3q
1} pue seinpecoad pue suoyanes Ayayes 880138
11T® eseuL *paaepdn 10 peasedead 0q 11H sque{d
Sutdund sofew [1B 10F suoyjon1zqsuy Buyzeradg “T

spanoT OF eq TIA MOTAq peastt sainpesoid eu,

*AyTeuosied a1247 24

03 wry aqwaed Jou [TFA TI aizayh oyuRyoou queqtd
aya Aq pazep pur pausts ‘100 pes8eq oq Aew squeqtd
azatTeus ayy ‘peps09e1 8q T1eys pue ‘perower ueys
pue payoegjze ueym oTUByoon quetd aya fq pausts
pue pajep aq TTeUs s8e3 asayy “FUN Aue 21838

03 Buzzdme73e e10FEq WTY q patueduosse aq 10
a8ieyo UZ JfUeYOoUW quejd ay} wo1y eourteeT° @andes
03 pesrtnbea 212 yeuuoszed T1e ‘pake{dstp St s8e2
asayz JO auo usyy ‘“UOsees uoTIeBzIIT OF azoyid 1823
yor Fas Buyjezedo ay? OF paysezze aq 02 218 yoTya
s8e} 1o8uep ponss} useq evry soyueyoou queyd euL

+squeqd
asaya ajeiedo 03 axez1epun kew oys 810430 hue pue
Sguepoy1zoeTe ‘S1epTz4oITP *szadtay ‘sopTuRyoow
queqd 03 sef{dde sTuL *suoq3e3s 3JFTTEA pue
squetd 3uydund [1e 03 pae8er ut aozzoeid suoyze
-zedo ayes aztseqdue 02 fkzegsooou souoseq uyese IF
Suoseas uoTIeBTIIF A9yROUe FO yorordde oy? ITM

SINVId ONIdWhd Od Saanqao0ud
SNOILVUAdO ALAAVS NOLLVOIWUI

56



1. Lubrication, grease fitting or oil reservoirs for the main
bearing will be filled by the pump maintenance man, more com-
monly called the plant mechanic.

2. Vibration, their causes and control, i.e., throttling a pump
down too low or imminent bearing failure, etc.

The ditchriders were instructed concerning the data on relift pump
operation that must be reported.

Pump motors must be kept clean and free from such accumulation
as spider webs, dirt and occasional bird nests. Overheating for a
particular motor should be checked, but it should be remembered
that some motors are designed to run hotter than others. Loose
connections can cause excessive heating or complete failure. Nor-
mal vibration will cause connections to loosen and the ditchrider
should be alert to such possibilities. Motor and pump controls, the
maze of relays, etc., all have important functions mainly of concern
to the plant mechanic. Any malfunction that may be encountered in
starting or stopping a pump should be reported immediately.

Float switches activated by the water can shut a pump off if the water
level drops below a safe depth. It should be checked for freedom of
operation to insure that it will move up and down with changes in water
level.

Weed Control

Weed identification is also an important function and if the ditchrider
finds a patch of weeds, he should identify the species, treat it prop-
erly and/or report its existence to the watermaster or weed control
specialist for the area. The weed control program consists of three
factors: (1) prevention, (2) control as a means of prevention, and

(3) removal. Prevention is the process of seeding grasses to inhibit
weed growth. Control is usually a chemical process of stunting the
weed growth and planting grass with the weeds as protection. Removal
is the bailing out from the laterals of windblown weeds that were not
prevented or controlled. Using photographs the trainees were drilled
in weed identification and it was emphasized that the common procedure
to be followed by a ditchrider who locates a weed patch is: Locate,
identify, mark, notify, kill and check back to assure kill.

The training sessions were brought to an end with a field trip for

observance of weed control and preventive practices, both good and
bad.

Summary

Summarizing the series of training sessions the major responsibilities
of a ditchrider position were pointed out. It was emphasized that the

17



The Irrigation Operation and Maintenance bulletin is published quar-
terly, for the benefit of irrigation project people. Its principal pur-
pose is to serve as a medium of exchanging operation and maintenance
information. It is hoped that the reports herein concerning labor-
saving devices and less costly equipment and procedures, developed
by resourceful project people, will result in improved efficiency and
reduced costs on the systems of those operators adapting these ideas
to their needs.

To assure proper recognition of those individuals whose suggestions
are published in the bulletins, the suggestion number as well as the
person's name is given. All Bureau offices are reminded to notify
their Suggestions Award Committee when a suggestion is adopted.

KK OK

Division of Irrigation Operations
Office of Chief Engineer
Denver, Colorado

The cover depicts the history of the work of
ditchriders. The horse-drawn cart was used
in 1916 on the Twin Falls North Side Project,
Idaho. PX-D-45751. The second panel shows
modern ditchriders communicating with head-
quarters from a radio-equipped vehicle. PX-
D-45750. The third panel shows the console
of a remote control system which raises and
lowers the gates, and reports elevations of
the gates and water surface at the headworks
of a canal on the Salt River Project, Arizona.
CTP25-D-36931-D.

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Place:

Outline

Ditchrider Training Program

Part 1 - Training School

Dates: Three days annually

Time: All day meetings, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

First day

Instructor:

Reference: Water Measurement Manual

I, Morning Session - Field Demonstrations with Trainees Making

Dry-run Regulations
A. Weirs

owe

Rowe

a

howwr

Inspection of weir pool and farm weir

Delivery elevation instructions

Dry-run delivery and measurement

Submerged weir measurement

Weir box - discussion of characteristics and dry-run
delivery and measurement along with checking 0 setting
of gage

Adjustable weirs two or three in one location and dry-
run water change on one delivery

Actual setting of a portable weir for single delivery
lateral allowance determination

CHO (Constant Head Orifice)

Determination of size

Set 0 opening on orifice gate

Checking gage settings

Go through procedure for water delivery and change in
diversion of delivery

Discussion of farm operations on delivery. Delivery
elevation, etc.

Meter gate

Checking 0 gate opening

Head measurement

Check on meter well operation

Go through procedure for making delivery or change in
diversion or delivery

20


Ditchrider Beats

All of the ditchrides on the Columbia Basin Project are relatively
similar in length, acreage and number of turnouts. However, one
of the main things a ditchrider is instructed to keep in mind on any
ditchride is the establishment of a regular schedule that will bring
him to the same general area and turnout at the same time every
day. When the water users can depend on such a schedule they will
be able to have their water delivery request cards there and, if they
so desire, may be able to be on the spot when water is turned on or
off. Also, a regular schedule personally allows the watermaster
or other supervisors to more easily make necessary field contacts
with the ditchrider.

Water Orders

Before making any changes in water deliveries, the ditchrider will
receive a water request card from the water user authorizing him
to do so.

The project emphasizes the necessity of these water request cards
as it is the ditchriders only authority to adjust a water delivery or to
turn it on or off, unless the water user has used his water or defin-
ite word is received from the office that the water is supposed to be
turned off,

The ditchrider can request water changes on 48 hours notice. Some-
times water can be delivered on 24 hours notice, and since water can
be dispatched and moved within a 24-hour limitation, the Columbia
Basin Project is not requiring 48-hour advance notice at this time.
Undoubtedly, there may be cases in the future, as the number of users
increases and a larger percentage of the lateral capacity is being used,
that it will be necessary to have requests ona 48-hour basis; however,
here again the water user should be served to the best of the project's
ability.

The ditchrider should always remember that only as much water as has
been ordered should be delivered, otherwise there is going to be some
operational waste. When not needed, excess water should be ordered
back into the system.

Locking Gates

Not only why gates are locked, but some of the benefits that are re-
ceived from all gates being locked should be discussed with the
prospective ditchriders.

Unlocked gates are a temptation to some people. There is always that
certain someone who does not realize the total impact but only his own
farm problems. Perhaps the turnout gate is on a bend in the lateral

and all the weeds seem to jam into the gate, the farmer may want that

4


to deposit spoil, stacking hay on rights -of-way, etc. In connection
with encroachments, the ditchrider should not give advice which he
is not sure about, but should report the encroachment if necessary
after contacting the responsible farmer and explaining the problem.

Daily Reports

The water report is the ditchrider's report of accomplishment for
the day and his order for what is needed tomorrow. On the Columbia
Basin Project the report must be in by 4 p.m. to facilitate the work
of others.

Record Keeping

All projects must have forms for record keeping. On the Columbia
Basin Project, forms have been provided to facilitate uniformity of
records on different colored paper stock for easy identification,

as follows:

1. Diversion from canal - yellow
2. Wasteways - blue
3. Unit daily deliveries - white

A diversion is water ordered and for which responsibility is assumed
by the ditchrider. Any changes in daily delivery are reported using
the algebraic plus (+) and minus (-) signs. Wasteway flows recorded
are those expected during the next 24-hour period. Unit daily deliv-
eries are the quantities of water delivered to a unit during the pre-
ceding 24 hours.

As a part of the "trainee course'' the turnout numbering system and
map symbols for the different types of turnouts, pumps, checks,
etc., are explained. Also a part of the course is a "ditchride prob-
lem" in which it is assumed that each trainee has to take over a
ditchride without previous experience in record keeping, assuming
that methods of regulation are known. Printed copies of a small
lateral and farm unit map are distributed to the trainee which show
the ride to be covered, and ditchride books containing diversion,
delivery and wasteway sheets are passed out to each trainee to re-
cord each day's activity. Turnout discharge tables also are distri-
buted for each of the different types of turnouts on the ride.

The "ditchride problem" starts with a "dry-run" over the lateral map
noting and explaining all turnouts and getting a general idea of what

is ahead. Each man individually assumes that he is the rider taking
over and fills in his ditchride book as the group proceeds together
down the lateral. Aside from recording the proper water delivery, the
special circumstances that might be encountered, such as those given
below, can be explained: