About the Big Pine Irrigation & Improvement Association

The Big Pine Irrigation & Improvement Association operates and maintains the community irrigation ditch system serving properties in Big Pine, California.

The system provides a way for participating properties to receive surface water through the community ditch network for outdoor irrigation. It is separate from Big Pine's household drinking-water system.

Our history

The modern Big Pine ditch system grew out of the Inyo–Los Angeles Long-Term Water Agreement. That agreement called for the reconstruction and improvement of existing irrigation ditches, as well as the construction of additional ditches to serve more properties within the town of Big Pine. It also required the system to be operated and maintained by a Big Pine organization separate from Inyo County and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

The stated goal of the project was to re-establish a ditch system within Big Pine so residents could have surface water delivered through their properties if they chose to participate.

The Water Agreement authorized up to $100,000 for reconstruction, system upgrades and additional ditches. It also provided for a flow of up to six cubic feet per second to be made available for the system while protecting existing water rights and delivery rates.

Government reports state that the Big Pine Irrigation & Improvement Association completed the phases of the project required of the organization and that the improved system has been operating since 2005.

Our purpose

The purpose of the Association is to operate and maintain Big Pine's community irrigation ditch system and help make irrigation water available to properties served by that system.

The Association works to keep the system functioning, communicate important operational information and support the continued use of the irrigation network within the Big Pine community.

A central source for irrigation information

This website is being developed to give Big Pine residents and property owners a convenient place to find information about the irrigation system. Residents will be able to visit the site for:

• Irrigation-season announcements
• Planned shutoffs and service interruptions
• Maintenance and repair notices
• Important updates from the Association
• General information about using and maintaining a property's irrigation connection
• Contact information and answers to common questions

As the website develops, the Association's goal is to explore secure online account services. These may eventually allow participating property owners to review amounts owed, receive payment reminders and pay irrigation bills online. These services will be added only after they have been approved and properly established.

Preserving a community resource

Big Pine's irrigation ditches are part of the community's working water infrastructure. Clear communication and responsible maintenance help protect the system and allow it to continue serving local properties.

This website is intended to make reliable information easier to find, improve communication between the Association and participating property owners, and help the irrigation system operate more efficiently for the community.