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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies.  There major concerns regarding liability.  Any help that you could provide would be appreciated. I’m having trouble working out the logistics of this. The irrigation ditches I am familiar with are either earthen, usually with sporadic pools of water making them poor choices for walking in, or cement, with the possibility of large volumes of water flowing suddenly and without warning.  Again, this would seem to be a poor choice for walking in.  As well, most of these ditches don’t have any facility for getting in or out. The earthen ones just have banked sides, usually muddy. The cement ones are usually steep and sheer. Such ditches are sometimes designed with the notion of flood control in mind. If that’s the case, it would be the last place I’d want to go hiking.  Little thunderstorm and you find yourself washed down to the ocean. So, I’m having difficulty seeing how you could make this a reasonably safe and enjoyable experience. Socks

I think numes was talking about walking/running/jogging along the sides or near the edges. Would be relatively flat and follow contours to some extent.  Also good for catching frogs and snakes for lunch for the go-light crowd.

Response:

Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies.  There major concerns regarding liability.  Any help that you could provide would be appreciated.

Sure drowning. Consider looking up the word canal instead. I think the Erie Canal is one. Hmmm, can’t remember how the CA state system is set up near Sacramento. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please explain.  Most irrigation ditches that I know of are filled with irrigation water.  This makes as much sense as asking how to get a mountaintop approved as a wetland.  Is this a seasonal thing?  This makes no sense.

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Our larger irrigation ditches are roughly 15 to 20 feet wide and have a road that runs a long side of the ditch.  There are a number of smaller ditches that feed off the main ditch.  Thanks for the help

Response:

Please explain.  Most irrigation ditches that I know of are filled with irrigation water.

Here in Colorado many irrigation ditches have trails or dirt roads alongside them that are used for ditch maintenance by the ditch riders.  A lot of these roads and trails have big "NO TRESPASSING" signs on them.  Outside of populated areas, they really don’t care if you trespass; it’s for the lawyers in case somebody gets hurt and they try to sue the ditch company.  Be aware that a lot of ditches pass through private property.  In public lands, there’s probably already access to the ditch. I have a good friend who’s a ditch rider.  He actually gets PAID to hike up into the mountains .  He also has access to all kinds of private property through which his ditches and trails pass.  I accompany him every once in a while on his hikes. RFM

Response:

Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies.  There major concerns regarding liability.  Any help that you could provide would be appreciated.

I’m having trouble working out the logistics of this. The irrigation ditches I am familiar with are either earthen, usually with sporadic pools of water making them poor choices for walking in, or cement, with the possibility of large volumes of water flowing suddenly and without warning.  Again, this would seem to be a poor choice for walking in.  As well, most of these ditches don’t have any facility for getting in or out. The earthen ones just have banked sides, usually muddy. The cement ones are usually steep and sheer. Such ditches are sometimes designed with the notion of flood control in mind. If that’s the case, it would be the last place I’d want to go hiking.  Little thunderstorm and you find yourself washed down to the ocean. So, I’m having difficulty seeing how you could make this a reasonably safe and enjoyable experience. Socks

Response:

Ditchside trails are used in the Albq. valley as foot trails and horsepaths. However, the trails are there primarily for maintenance of the ditches, not the other way around.

How about the North-South trail along the asequia madre that runs from south of central to north of the alameda? That one was originally for maintenance, but is now a city walk/bike/ride path.  The others are explicitly open to the public for use, but you’re right.  They’re primarily for the ditchrider. Edward

Response:

<<<Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies. Albuquerque, New Mexico does this.

[expounding on the above] Ditchside trails are used in the Albq. valley as foot trails and horsepaths. However, the trails are there primarily for maintenance of the ditches, not the other way around. — Pat O’Connell Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but vandals…

Response:

<<<Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies. Albuquerque, New Mexico does this. Edward

Response:

Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies.  There major concerns regarding liability.  Any help that you could provide would be appreciated.

Please explain.  Most irrigation ditches that I know of are filled with irrigation water.  This makes as much sense as asking how to get a mountaintop approved as a wetland.  Is this a seasonal thing?  This makes no sense.

Response:

Does anyone know of a trail system that uses irrigation ditches.  We have several ditches in the community and want to use them as trails but need to figure out a way to approch the ditch companies.  There major concerns regarding liability.  Any help that you could provide would be appreciated.

Response: