Reminds me of when they were re doing a highway a few years ago by our farm.  Had a bunch of dirt to dispose of.  Had a big ditch that started just past the South side of the farm and eventually went into a creek.  Only time water was in it is if it was raining.  But, someone in an office somewhere said it was a creek, so the dirt couldn't be put in the bottom of it.  They did put a lot of fill along side of it, said do what we want with it after they leave and the road is done, but we left it alone.