GVDD Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Drainage District's mailing address?

• P. O. Box 969, Grand Junction, Co. 81502-0969

2. How do I contact the Drainage District direct?

• Our office hours are 7:00 A. M. To 5:00 P. M. Monday through Friday
• Our Phone Number is: 970-242-4343

3. Where is the Drainage District office located?

• At 722 23 Road, Grand Junction. From the intersection of Highway 6 & 50 and 23 Road, travel north approximately 1/8 mile to 23 Rd. and G Rd. intersection. Continue north 1/4 mile. Offices are on east side of 23 road.

4. When does the Board of Directors meet?

• At 10:00 A. M. on or before the 10th of each month and on or before the 25th of each month. Meetings are held at the office of the District which is located at 722 23 Road. Watch our calendar for notices for each Board Meeting.

5. I have a request to submit to the Board of Directors. What is the best way to do that?

• To help the Board of Directors understand your request, you need to submit it as a letter explaining your position and what you are asking the District to do for you. The letter needs to be delivered at least two days before the scheduled meeting.

6. I live in the Orchard Mesa area. Is there anyone to help me with drainage issues?

• Contact Orchard Mesa Irrigation District at 464-7885 and ask about their rules and regulations. You can also contact Mesa County Public Works at 244-1815 or the City of Grand Junction Public Works at 242-4636.

7. I live in the Redlands area. Is there anyone to help me with drainage issues?

• Contact Mesa County Public Works at 244-1815 or the City of Grand Junction Public Works at 242-4636.

8. There is a ditch in front of my house. Do I have to take care of it?

• If the ditch is 2-3 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep, it is most often part of a private irrigation system that either delivers water to your property or carries water away when you are through using it.

• If the Ditch is 6 feet deep or more, and at least 30 feet wide and located North of the Colorado River, it is most probably a sub-surface drainage ditch that the District operates and maintains.

• Every user of irrigation water has an obligation to take care of the water AND the ditch that carries it from the point on the canal that it comes from until that water is returned to the Colorado River.

9. I was

• walking my dog
• riding my horse
• jogging
• riding my bicycle

on the drainage ditch road and my neighbor told me I couldn’t be there. Why Not?

• Grand Valley Drainage District ditch roadways are located on private property. You need to obtain permission from the property owner to ride, walk, or drive across his or her property. Grand Valley Drainage District can not give you permission to travel on ditch roads. The District has easements with property owners that are to be used only to operate and maintain the drains.

10. I have a big ditch on my property and everyone is using it for

• a bike path
• riding their horse
• jogging
• walking their dog

what can I do to stop them?

• The District will work with the property owner to protect his property and will allow gates to be placed across the maintenance roadways of the drains. When installed, gates must be wide enough to open to the width of the maintenance roadway (usually 20 feet). After the property owner installs the gate, the District will put a lock on the gate. Property owners can also put their own separate lock on the gate. This will allow the owner full access to their property at all times and the District can have access to maintain the drain as needed.

11. I am planning to landscape my yard. Will the District locate any pipelines that may be on my property?

• YES.
• Please contact the District’s office at least 48 hours before you dig. The District will locate the facilities that they operate and maintain on your property.
• The drainage facilities will be marked with PURPLE paint. The District also recommends that you contact the Utility Notification Center for Colorado at 1-800-922-1987.

12. I see an iron manhole lid and it has the word “SEWER” on it. What is it?

• Most manhole lids manufactured locally have the word “SEWER” on them. These lids are used by many different maintenance people for all types of underground facilities.

13.  I see an iron manhole lid with a fish on it.  What does this mean?

• Under the clean water act, pipes that carry unfiltered water back to rivers and streams are to be identified.
• The "Fish Lid" tells everyone that the waters in this system return to the Colorado River.
• The pipeline is a storm and drainage system.
• It tells everyone not to dump pollutants in this system because the water returns directly to the Coloado River.

WARNING! PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO LIFT ANY OF THESE LIDS.

The lids weigh between 100 pounds and 150 pounds. CALL FOR A UTILITY LOCATOR TO IDENTIFY WHAT SERVICE USES THAT MANHOLE. The Utility Notification Center for Colorado can be reached at 1-800-922-1987.