John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Titanic Ditch

Agricultural operations expanded dramatically in

1912 when a new irrigation system was constructed on the east side of the river. Named the "Titanic Ditch" to commemorate of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the main ditch had its point of diversion on the John Day River at the confluence of Rock Creek and the John Day River.

The ditch was constructed by the Cants and John Mason, using an adapted V-shaped plow turned upside down and pulled along the ground. The new water rights associated with this ditch allowed an additional 73 acres of land to be put into cultivation using flood irrigation.

john day fossil beds national monument oregon national park service john day fossil beds national memorial national monument cultural landscape ditch grasses kimberly or park cultural landscapes program titanic ditch john day river john mason irrigation system flood irrigation river agricultural operations titanic rock creek v shaped plow water rights national parks gallery high resolution

1912

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

Public Domain Dedication