The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1919-06-06
TO WATER USERS OF THE
WEST OkANOGAN VALLEY
IRRIGATION DISTRICT


We call your attention ut this time to
the following points, which will aid you
IN understanding the methods of opera
ton now in force within the district:
l. The district desires to measure all
water used and proceeds on the assump-
ton that all waters passing through the
head gates are being used and not being
wasted; therefore lands under the lateral
through which water is passing are being
charged up with the amount passing
through the head gate.
2. distinction should be made be-
tween the rule OF the district for building
laterais and the rule governing the deliv-
cry of water.
Laterals are built to each legal govern
ment sub division of 40 acres.
This rule applies to the building and
delivery of water.
Water is delivered from the head gate
of the lateral at the canal bank for all
the lands served by that lateral.
The district does not see to the water
after it leaves the head gate at the main
canal.
The water users SHOULD, by working to-
gether, arrange Tor the care and distri
button of that water.
8. Where several water users are serv-
ed from the same lateral, any damage
that may be suffered by any water user
through loss of crops from lack of water
or damage by overlooking is not dam
age chargeable to the district but to that
water user who takes water from the lat
eral when 1t does not belong to him or
who, by closing his gate and turning his
water back into the lateral causes dam
age to his neighbor by flooding his lands.
4. The expense of the operation and
maintenance OF the irrigation system can
be kept at the same present low cost only
by the cooperation Of water users; this
means the careful cooperation with the
employees and officers of the district.
Some water. users are inclined to call
upon the district for special attention and
service when by working in the proper
spirit with their neighbor they could save
trouble to themselves and trouble and
expense to the district.
5. Water users are expected to use the
water when same Is available.
Heretofore you have expected the wa
ter to be ready for your use when you
were ready for it; hereafter you must eX-
pect to use the water when it is ready for
you to use.
6. Water users and patrolmen should
become well enough acquainted with, ana
understand each other well enough, TO ad-
Just all minor differences and regulate the
water in accordance with the instruc-
tions to the patrolmen without annoyance
to the superintendent.
Only important or serious matters
should be taken to the superintendent:
The superintendent needs all his time
and energy for the general management
of district matters and should not be call
ed upOn in minor matters OF water SER
vice which should be settled by neighbor-
Ing water users. .
T. The district is now prepared to car
ry out rule of the regulations and to
install measuring boxes where trouble
arises over the division of water. The
party or parties making an application
for the installation of such boxes must
assume the responsibility of payment for
the cost of installation, maintenance ana
operation.
If neighbors will work together in the
right spirit the necessity of installing
measuring boxes will arise only in very
few instances.
The above suggestions are made to wa
ter users at this time because. on account
of an increase in the cost of all labor and
material, closer cooperation among the
water users Is necessary if the annual
maintenance and operation charge is to
be kept at the present rate. These sug-
gestiOns are made also because there is
now a greater acreage under cultivation
and the demand for water is therefore
greater and. more time is required by the
superintendent for looking after and
maintaining in safety the main canal.
Every misuse of water, every small
damage that occurs to the canal or flume
increases the annual maintenance and
operation charges. Some water users by
prompt action and much labor have in the
past saved the district from serious dam
age and considerable expense and their
help and assistance is greatly appreciate
Other water users by carlessness and by
Interference have caused much trouble
and expense. Hereafter when damage to
the canal is traceable' directly to careless
ness or interference of the water user. he
| ing from his carlessness or interference.
MATT V. PICKEN.
]. F. SAMSON.
F. S. BEALE.