Fonds MS 196;2002.040 - Oyama Irrigation District fonds

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Oyama Irrigation District fonds

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    CA VERN MS 196;2002.040

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    Date(s)

    • 1928-1991 (Creation)
      Creator
      Oyama Irrigation District

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    Physical description

    51 cm of textual records

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    (1899-1989)

    Biographical history

    The Oyama Irrigation District was created on September 20, 1923 from the assets and liabilities of the Long Lake Irrigation Co. Ltd. The objects of the District were the acquisition and operation of works and licences for the storage, delivery, and carriage of water for irrigation within Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, and 14 of Township 14, Osoyoos Division, Yale District. Inherited from the Long Lake Co. was an old gravity system from the Oyama Lake drainage area. However, their rights to this water were secondary to the rights of the Wood Lake Water Company. For some years the Oyama Irrigation District continued to operate with this gravity water but, between 1924 and 1931, there was only one year when there was sufficient water in the pipes for irrigation. As a result of their secondary position and with the advent of electric power, the OID decided to install four electric pumps to draw water from Kalamalka and Wood Lakes. In 1931, desperately short of money, the OID sold their water rights on Oyama Lake to the Wood Lake Water Co. In 1945, 59 acres of the Interlaken unit and the Rayburn property were separated from the District and ran on their own for 20 years. Money and system problems continued through the 1960's, changing for the better when an Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development (ARDA) loan allowed for renewal of the system. The first indication of supply problems was reported in 1970 as a result of increased increased development and calls for service to new areas. Pollution of irrigation water became another concern as the area serviced began to urbanize and industrialize. As a result, the Okanagan Basin Water Study was initiated by the federal and provincial governments. However, most of their recommendations were not implemented. Changes and improvements were made throughout the 1970s, but, by 1982, concerns about water quality, water shortages, and equipment quality came to a head. Engineering studies begun at that time concentrated on new wells and the supply of water from Kalamalka Lake. By 1994, the OID trustees were recommending that the Central Okanagan Regional District take over the OID and operate it as a special service area. By 1995, the District of Lake Country became the owner of the Oyama Irrigation District water service area.

    Custodial history

    Records were held by the OID until the donor, Ken V. Ellison, collected them for research into his book "Irrigation is King", published March, 2000. Records were donated to the Vernon Archives in 2002.

    Scope and content

    Fonds consists of the administrative records of the Oyama Irrigation District from 1928-1991.

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        BCAUL control number: VERN-182

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