About the ditch

The Big Pine Community Ditch carries irrigation water through Big Pine, California, serving pastures, gardens, and trees along its reaches. The water supply is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

What this ditch is

Big Pine's ditch system is part of the long history of community irrigation in the Owens Valley. Water is diverted from local creeks and conveyed through open ditches and laterals to landholders along the route. Neighbors share a single flow, so the system only works when everyone follows the rotation and keeps their section clear.

How it's managed

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) owns much of the land and water rights in the Owens Valley and manages the water supply released into the Big Pine ditch. Day-to-day coordination — rotation turns, clearing blockages, and answering neighbors' questions — is handled locally by a community ditch tender.

This website is a community-run information service. It publishes the rotation schedule, current flow status, and announcements so everyone who relies on the ditch has the same information. It is not an official LADWP publication; for official notices, contact LADWP directly.

Who it serves

Landholders and residents along the Track and In Town (West and East of 395) reaches of the ditch. If you draw water from the ditch and aren't sure which reach you're on or when your turn falls, reach out through the contact page and the ditch tender can help.