The “Big Ditch” in Wichita refers to the Arkansas River and the man-made canal that was constructed alongside it to control flooding and improve irrigation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The canal, officially known as the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project, was constructed in the early 1900s and involved the excavation of a large channel or ditch to divert floodwaters away from the city of Wichita. The project was a major engineering feat at the time and transformed the surrounding landscape, creating new opportunities for farming and development.

Today, the Big Ditch is a popular recreational area for locals and visitors, with parks, walking and biking paths, and other amenities along its banks.