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Please visit our about page to learn more about the history of the Verde Ditch and about what we do. The News and updates page has regular updates that will affect some or possibly all of our local users, and news about anything pertinent to Verde Ditch. These pages can be accessed by clicking on them, either from this page or via the above menu.
It is important for you to know and understand the rules and regulations regarding the operation of the Verde Ditch.
Please take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations.
It is important for you to know and understand the rules and regulations regarding the operation of the Verde Ditch.
Please take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations.
NOTICE
There has been misinformation regarding the Verde Ditch.
The following is a statement from the Verde Ditch attorney.
The following is a statement from the Verde Ditch attorney.
The Verde River is continuing to experience periodic low flows as a result of the continuing drought, abnormal winter snowpack, lack of upstream moisture and overall demands on the Verde watershed. While the summer months have
been historically challenging to obtain the water necessary from the Verde River to be diverted into the Verde ditch, the abnormal lower flows recorded by USGS and the 2026 weather patterns have created additional demands for water.
Hopefully the summer monsoon moisture will develop as predicted and help restore the Verde River to a more sustainable flow.
Since 1868 Verde ditch users have diverted water to serve approximately 1400 acres through the Verde ditch system. In times of low flows and peak demands, the Verde Ditch Company has resorted to sequential water schedules to help provide water to all shareholders consistent with the 1908 territorial decree of Hance v Arnold which mandates water delivery for the shareholders.
In times of extreme low river flows such as being currently experienced, the diversion in the Verde River at the beginning of the ditch requires much of the visible river flow at the point of diversion in order to create sufficient head pressure to deliver water to the 18 miles of the Verde Ditch system. Additionally, the sub flow of the Verde River resurfaces below the diversion point and proceeds down the river to serve other users. The diversion dam is designed to provide a continuing flow of Verde River water via a portage chute for the use by recreational and other river users. Unfortunately when river flows are extremely low, the level of the impounded water falls below the chute resulting in little water flowing directly behind the diversion dam until the river flow naturally resurfaces.
For the past couple of months the river flow at the diversion dam has been inadequate to provide sufficient irrigation water to the Verde Ditch. The Verde Ditch Company instituted an irrigation schedule for sequential use of irrigation water by the approximate 800 families that are currently shareholders in the Verde Ditch Company. For decades the Verde Ditch Company has utilized a secondary diversion to augment the water available in the ditch during low flow/high demand periods. However criminal vandalism destroyed the ability to provide irrigation water from the emergency diversionary structure and lower sections of the Verde Ditch have been unable to receive their allotment of irrigation water to which they are entitled thus risking loss of their crops, trees, lawns, livestock and pastures.
The Verde Ditch Company appreciates that some citizens are concerned about the lack of water flowing directly below the diversion dam. The reality is that the flow in the Verde River is restored below the dam where it naturally resurfaces and the typical water flow over and through the dam will be restored once the Verde River returns to a higher flow. The Verde Ditch Company's primary mission, under the direction of the Yavapai County Superior Court, remains to provide irrigation water for all of the shareholders in the exercise of their historic rights to receive Verde river water.
been historically challenging to obtain the water necessary from the Verde River to be diverted into the Verde ditch, the abnormal lower flows recorded by USGS and the 2026 weather patterns have created additional demands for water.
Hopefully the summer monsoon moisture will develop as predicted and help restore the Verde River to a more sustainable flow.
Since 1868 Verde ditch users have diverted water to serve approximately 1400 acres through the Verde ditch system. In times of low flows and peak demands, the Verde Ditch Company has resorted to sequential water schedules to help provide water to all shareholders consistent with the 1908 territorial decree of Hance v Arnold which mandates water delivery for the shareholders.
In times of extreme low river flows such as being currently experienced, the diversion in the Verde River at the beginning of the ditch requires much of the visible river flow at the point of diversion in order to create sufficient head pressure to deliver water to the 18 miles of the Verde Ditch system. Additionally, the sub flow of the Verde River resurfaces below the diversion point and proceeds down the river to serve other users. The diversion dam is designed to provide a continuing flow of Verde River water via a portage chute for the use by recreational and other river users. Unfortunately when river flows are extremely low, the level of the impounded water falls below the chute resulting in little water flowing directly behind the diversion dam until the river flow naturally resurfaces.
For the past couple of months the river flow at the diversion dam has been inadequate to provide sufficient irrigation water to the Verde Ditch. The Verde Ditch Company instituted an irrigation schedule for sequential use of irrigation water by the approximate 800 families that are currently shareholders in the Verde Ditch Company. For decades the Verde Ditch Company has utilized a secondary diversion to augment the water available in the ditch during low flow/high demand periods. However criminal vandalism destroyed the ability to provide irrigation water from the emergency diversionary structure and lower sections of the Verde Ditch have been unable to receive their allotment of irrigation water to which they are entitled thus risking loss of their crops, trees, lawns, livestock and pastures.
The Verde Ditch Company appreciates that some citizens are concerned about the lack of water flowing directly below the diversion dam. The reality is that the flow in the Verde River is restored below the dam where it naturally resurfaces and the typical water flow over and through the dam will be restored once the Verde River returns to a higher flow. The Verde Ditch Company's primary mission, under the direction of the Yavapai County Superior Court, remains to provide irrigation water for all of the shareholders in the exercise of their historic rights to receive Verde river water.
Annual Water Schedule
BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2024, AND CONTINUING ANNUALLY
The Verde Ditch Company will be implementing a watering schedule for all shareholders on the Verde Ditch. This schedule will allow water access from the ditch during the dry season. This new annual schedule will begin June 15, of each year and continuing through August 31 of each year.
Notice will be sent June 1 of each year and the schedule will go into effect on June 15 of each year ending on September 1 of each year.
The Verde Ditch Company will be implementing a watering schedule for all shareholders on the Verde Ditch. This schedule will allow water access from the ditch during the dry season. This new annual schedule will begin June 15, of each year and continuing through August 31 of each year.
Notice will be sent June 1 of each year and the schedule will go into effect on June 15 of each year ending on September 1 of each year.
The schedule will be as follows:
Section 1 Main head gate to Copper Canyon. This section will only be able to water from Sunday 6 AM through Wednesday 6AM. This section starts at Horseshoe Bend and includes Ranch Acres, Fort River Caves, all of Camp Verde to the end of Vail Road. (Copper Canyon)
Section 2 From Copper Canyon (end of Vail Road) to the end of the ditch. This section will only be able to water from Wednesday at 6 AM through Sunday 6 AM
Section 1 Main head gate to Copper Canyon. This section will only be able to water from Sunday 6 AM through Wednesday 6AM. This section starts at Horseshoe Bend and includes Ranch Acres, Fort River Caves, all of Camp Verde to the end of Vail Road. (Copper Canyon)
Section 2 From Copper Canyon (end of Vail Road) to the end of the ditch. This section will only be able to water from Wednesday at 6 AM through Sunday 6 AM
Update on Hance vs Arnold
Click below to read the current update on Hance vs Arnold.
6/13/2024
6/13/2024
ATTENTION VERDE DITCH SHAREHOLDERS
Please do not put bamboo, tree trimmings, yard waste, and other debris in the ditch. These items cause problems as they clog the ditch and cause the ditch to back up and potentially overflow the banks. This causes issues for other shareholders. Thank you.
annual shareholder's meeting
The annual shareholders meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026. It will be held at the Yavapai Superior Court building, located at 2840 Commonwealth Dr, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm.
Please join our database
Please fill out the form on our Database section of the website. Providing your contact information will save the Verde Ditch money by eliminating the need for postage. This will allow the Verde Ditch to have additional funds to help with maintenance and other projects to improve the delivery of water to you the shareholder.
Attention shareholders!
As we continue our historic use research, the Verde Ditch commissioners, staff and attorney ask you to assist us in gathering any historic information you may have or are aware of. These can include items such as maps, documents, agreements and any other evidence you feel might be relevant. Currently we are contacting long time Verde Valley residents in hopes that they can provide us with history regarding water use in the past. If you know someone that may have knowledge of the history of the Verde Valley, please contact us.
Notice: restoring access
Over the past few years the Verde Ditch Commissioners have undertaken the long term project of restoring access to the bank of the ditch. The Commissioners are court appointed officers and are instructed by the court to maintain and operate the ditch. Per the Rules and Regulations dated August 8, 1989 the Commissioners are granted a right if usage to access the ditch at all times. There have been several instances where the ditch has had an obstruction that was too large to remove by hand and large equipment was needed to remove; however it was impossible to get a piece of equipment on the bank because of structures on the bank. This condition has the potential to cause severe property damage so the Commissioners are currently undertaking this project. Please help the Commissioners accomplish this in order to improve your ditch. when you see the crews please cooperate with the workers. Thank you.
The Commissioners are governed by “Rules and Regulations” promulgated by an Arizona Superior Court in 1989. In the Rules and Regulations there are limitations to the construction of fences, buildings and other structures along the ditch. Section 3 prohibits any structure that interferes with the Commissioners ability to access the ditch. The Rules and Regulations are posted on our website here, or you can pick a copy up at 432 S. 1st Street in Camp Verde. We would like to bring this to the attention of any property owner along the ditch. If your property has any structure that may impede access to the ditch we would ask you to remove it. If you have any questions regarding your specific property please feel free to call the office and schedule an appointment with one of the Commissioners.
The Commissioners are governed by “Rules and Regulations” promulgated by an Arizona Superior Court in 1989. In the Rules and Regulations there are limitations to the construction of fences, buildings and other structures along the ditch. Section 3 prohibits any structure that interferes with the Commissioners ability to access the ditch. The Rules and Regulations are posted on our website here, or you can pick a copy up at 432 S. 1st Street in Camp Verde. We would like to bring this to the attention of any property owner along the ditch. If your property has any structure that may impede access to the ditch we would ask you to remove it. If you have any questions regarding your specific property please feel free to call the office and schedule an appointment with one of the Commissioners.