Completed in 2024/2025
The Verde River, a vital lifeline in Arizona’s Verde Valley, supports agriculture, wildlife, and communities from Prescott to metro Phoenix.
However, historic irrigation systems like the Eureka Ditch have long contributed to water loss, threatening the river’s health.
The Nature Conservancy’s Eureka Ditch Pipeline projects are a game-changer, upgrading this 1895 earthen ditch to save billions of gallons of water, restore river flows, and ensure a sustainable future for farmers and ecosystems alike.
One of those projects, AZ 1 Verde Eureka Ditch Pipeline, was recently completed by The Nature Conservancy and Mulcaire and Son Contracting, LLC of Camp Verde, AZ..
Ben Hauser, the ditch boss, along with Hauser & Hauser Farms of Camp Verde, AZ, provided three days of backhoe usage and labor at no charge.
The pipe was installed where Grandpa Wash crosses the ditch.
This area has been problematic for many years.
Whenever there is heavy rain, sand and rocks wash down the creek and essentially blows out the ditch.
A backhoe is required each time to drive to the location and clean and restore the ditch.
This AZ 1 Verde Eureka Ditch project alleviated this problem.
Total Cost: $468,568
The Nature Conservancy developed the project with funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Established in 1895, the Eureka Ditch stretches eight miles through Camp Verde, serving over 200 property owners and irrigating 375 acres of farmland.
This earthen ditch, like many in the Verde Valley, loses significant water to seepage and evaporation—up to 15% in some sections. T
These inefficiencies reduce Verde River flows, sometimes drying up stretches during peak irrigation season, impacting native species like the razorback sucker and recreational opportunities.
This upgrade eliminates water losses from seepage and evaporation, plus the need to repair the ditch whenever Grandpa Wash flows.
Improving water flow allows irrigators to meet their needs with less water diverted from the Verde River.
The project is part of a broader strategy to modernize irrigation infrastructure across the Verde Valley.
The Nature Conservancy collaborates with the Eureka Ditch Company, local farmers like the Hauser family, and other ditch companies (e.g., Verde Ditch, Diamond S Ditch) to enhance water delivery efficiency. Additional innovations include:
Funding from state and federal grants, corporate partners, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has been critical to these efforts.
The Verde River faces mounting pressures from agricultural diversions, groundwater pumping, and urban demand.
Seven major ditches, including Eureka, historically diverted significant flows, sometimes dewatering the river.
The Nature Conservancy’s work aims to restore connectivity and stream flow, balancing the needs of farmers, wildlife, and downstream users like the Salt River Project (SRP).
While the project offers clear benefits, some locals worry that water conservation could lead to reallocating Verde River water to urban areas or restricting farmers’ access.
The Nature Conservancy emphasizes collaboration with farmers to protect their livelihoods, and building trust remains essential in a region with a history of water disputes.
The Eureka Ditch Pipeline project is a blueprint for balancing agriculture, conservation, and community needs.
By upgrading outdated infrastructure, leveraging technology, and fostering partnerships, The Nature Conservancy is helping secure the Verde River’s future.
This initiative not only saves water but also strengthens Arizona’s resilience in the face of growing water scarcity.
Images of the project during and after completion.
Sources
In 2021, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust reported significant water savings and provided project details for the Eureka Ditch piping initiative.
The Nature Conservancy has outlined broader conservation efforts for the Verde River, which include irrigation upgrades and partnerships with local farmers. They provide specific insights on water conservation and innovative approaches to growing food while saving water.
Additionally, AZCentral has described the historical inefficiencies of the Eureka Ditch and the positive impact of modernized gates on its functionality.
For more information on the Verde River’s conservation efforts, visit The Nature Conservancy’s website or explore the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust’s impact.
For more background on the ditch’s history and its role in the community, visit the Eureka Ditch Website.