Independent Community Ditch

08/31/2026

Monday August 31st 2026 8:00 AM

Attention water members, reminder that water will start flowing into the ditch again starting on the Halford tonight, then we will be on a 9 day ON run. River levels and flows are low, so it will take some time to fill the ditch. Please use responsibly and refrain from filling any ponds until water has gotten a chance to get to the end of the system and to the members that have gone without. Please reference the chart provided from the state engineers office, and know that we are in group 4, thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CswXNSjJU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ditch rotation schedule update posted on behalf of the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer & Interstate Stream Commission:

ANIMAS RIVER ROTATION UPDATE – THIRD ROTATION BEGINS AUGUST 31:

Flows on the Animas River remain below the rotation threshold, with the Animas River near Cedar Hill currently flowing at approximately 117 cfs. At these flows, ditches are experiencing difficulty diverting the available water.

Although precipitation is forecast over the weekend between Silverton and Farmington, current forecasts do not indicate that river flows will increase sufficiently – or remain elevated long enough – to delay the third rotation. OSE will reevaluate river conditions and forecasts on Monday.

Unless otherwise notified by OSE, the third rotation will begin at 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 31. At that time:

• Group 4 may resume diverting.
• Group 1 should cease diverting and begin its scheduled three-day OFF period.

The updated rotation schedule is attached. Once the third rotation begins, participants should expect to complete the full rotation cycle unless river conditions improve sufficiently for OSE to pause or discontinue the rotation. OSE will continue monitoring river conditions and notify participants promptly of any change.

All other operating conditions outlined in the July 8 rotation notice remain in effect. We appreciate everyone’s continued participation and cooperation.

08/28/2026

Friday August 28th

Our turn to be OFF for ditch rotations starts tonight, we will be OFF for 3 days.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/185u6ZNKSB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

August 28th, 2026- The second water rotation for Group #4 starts tonight, 8/28/26, at 8pm. The ditch will be off and is not to be used all day Saturday, August 29th, Sunday, August 30th, and Monday, August 31st until 8pm. The ditch will be turned back on at 8pm on Monday, August 31st, 2026. Please keep in mind it will take the ditch a few days to refill providing there is enough water available in the river. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate these drought challenges.

08/25/2026

August 24th 8:30 pm
Attention water members, water has been restored on the Halford and should start filling the Independent by morning. Thank you for your patience.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2aNjXiEk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/24/2026

Monday August 24th 1:30 pm

Attention members. A sewage leak from Aztec into the river was just reported to us so we are having to shut down ditch to keep contaminated water out of our system, it started this morning, but we just got that info. May be a good idea to refrain from using the water until we update that things are fixed. Thanks.

08/22/2026

Friday August 21st 7:20 p.m.

Update: We have been having a hard time getting sufficient water into the ditch due to low water in the Animas river. It has been decided that we need to get the ditch headgate area in the river worked on to repair holes and breaches in our river dam. This can only be done when the river is extremely low, and with a big machine. We have that work booked to get done this Monday. We hope this will help to provide the extra water needed to bring our ditch water back up to a usable level for everyone. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore as much water as we can.

08/20/2026

Thursday August 20-9:30 a.m.

Water was turned back on to the Halford ditch last night at 8 pm. It had made its way into the Independent ditch but please remember, it takes time to make its way through the entire system and fill the ditch up. The further down the line you are, the longer it will be to reach you. Please be patient but be on the lookout, water is coming! Reminder, water will be on for the next 9 days, then off after that for 3. Thank you!

08/20/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18iPg7gFXT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/14/2026

-Friday August 14th 2026-

Attention water members! Reminder, this Sunday August 16th at 8pm it will be our turn to rotate the ditch (turn off). There will be no water in the Independent ditch available to use, so please plan accordingly and get some watering done this weekend. water will be turned back on Wednesday the 19th at 8 pm. We are on a 9 day ON 3 day OFF schedule that will remain in effect unless we get some more available water in the Animas River from rain storms, thank you and have a great weekend!

08/10/2026

Thank you to the Lower Animas, Eledge, and Ranchmans-Terrell ditches for doing their part in the ditch rotation schedule! It has made a significant increase in water levels in the river and in the Independent ditch. Group 2 starts their 3 days off schedule tonight. Reminder, the Independent ditch is group 4 and will be off starting Sunday evening for 3 days. The rotation schedule is 9 days on and 3 days off, so please plan accordingly and share the word for the non facebookers you may know on the ditch.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DRY8mcF9x/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/06/2026

Ditch rotations start tomorrow, Friday August 7th at 8 pm for Group 1. We are group 4 and won’t rotate until Aug 16th 8pm.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DQACJDUUn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

August 6, 2026- Ditch rotations will begin tomorrow, August 7th, for Group #1. We are in Group #4 so our rotation will begin on Sunday, August 16th, 2026. Please water as efficiently as possible and be patient as we work through these drought conditions.