The Farmers Ditch was constructed in 1892, drawing water from the Animas River north of Aztec, and was extended into the Flora Vista area in 1907 ending west of the Barton Arroyo. The 1907 extension (Jones Extension) of the ditch apparently began near the start of the present concrete lined section and continued to the Flora Vista Arroyo. During 1963, the City of Farmington extended the ditch across Flora Vista Arroyo to the city water storage reservoir at Farmington lake.

In 1954, the San Juan County Commission passed a resolution making the Farmer’s Ditch a Special Irrigation District. In General this administrative change allows the District to ad valorem taxes upon all lands in the district, including urban property not irrigated or cultivated. In addition, revenue may be raised by the imposition of tolls and charges. The District is defined as a Special District governed by NMSA 1978, Sections 73-9-1 through 73-9-62 and 73-13-1 through 73-13-46. By-Laws for the District were then updated to meet State Statutes in 1998.