The Billadeau-Ropp private irrigation lateral branches off of the Arnold Irrigation ditch on Rickard road and proceeds northeast, with many branches, where it serves a total of 28 properties. Because this lateral is private and has been since it was formed, these 28 properties are required to self-govern the distribution of water. Since the water has been redistributed over the years, as property owners have bought and sold water, the lateral does not have the proper engineering to allow reliable and accurate distribution to the patrons. Through the history of the lateral, there have been many conflicts among neighbors secondary to the lack of understanding, leadership, and organization.

This group’s goal is three-fold:

  1. Improve communication among patrons on the Billadeau-Ropp private lateral to allow coordinated communication with Arnold Irrigation District.

  2. Organize work parties and coordinate efforts for routine existing ditch maintenance.

  3. Identify and submit applications for grants and other funding opportunities to modernize the engineering and application of our lateral (ie. piping, lining, improving weir boxes and plates with guidance from professional water engineers.)

What we are not:

  1. Mediators

  2. Water engineers

  3. Ditch riders

  4. Arnold Irrigation employees or board members

  5. On call service providers.

Note on financial obligations: Any other financial responsibility for lateral maintenance and repair still falls on the individual property owner, not this group. Every property owner is responsible for keeping their portion of the lateral maintained, by Oregon law. Similarly, if a patron purchases more water from Arnold Irrigation, it is that patron’s personal financial responsibility have all upstream weir boxes/plates/ditches professionally re-engineered.

What we promise:

  1. We will provide at least 24 hours notice between walking the lateral through private properties. This notice will be provided via email and posted on this website under “updates” and on the calendar.

  2. We will be transparent about our processes and goals via electronic means of communication (email and this website). It is everyone’s responsibility to keep themselves updated by actually reading emails and checking this website.

  3. We will post all grant opportunities and applications on this website on the “updates” page.

  4. We will continue to advocate for our private lateral through attendance at Arnold Irrigation Board meetings and other water management organization meetings.