The Highland Irrigation Ditch is the oldest earthen ditch in Oregon. It began it’s journey on July, 1911 when the valley farmers and residents organized to establish an irrigation ditch to deliver water to their properties. Four distinguish gentlemen, G. Gilbertson, S. E. Eakin, Mark Hull, H. W. Kettering, were the founders. They proceeded to hire Frank Cain, Surveyor from Riddle, who has concluded the survey and map on November 22, 1909.

To put the plans into action, the irrigation ditch was hand dug (estimated total cost of $3500), and construction completed on or before June 15, 1912. Initial allotment of water was 6 cfs irrigating 445 acres.

Here is the excerpt from the original document: “The appropriation for irrigation purposes shall be limited to one-eightieth of one cu. ft. per sec. for each acre irrigated. The use hereunder shall conform to any reasonable rotation system ordered by the proper State officer. The priority date of the permit is July 21, 1911”.

The layout of the canal and construction was likely done by Gilbertson, Eakin and Hull. The water users agreed that the ditch should go through annual cleaning and repair, followed by cleaning and repair as needed. Users also paid for the material acquisition.

In our days, the water to the ditch comes from Galesville Reservoir located about 10 miles away and then to Cow Creek. In May, the water is diverted from Cow Creek into the ditch. This water is used for irrigation on the stakeholders properties. Diversion ends on October 1 of every year. The Ditch is 3.5 miles long and, due to its advanced age, is in need of repair.

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The district is in the process of documenting it’s history back to early 1900s, obtaining cultural and historic documentation and surveys, and will post additional items as the work progresses.