Canal & Irrigation Safety

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

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With temperatures rising once more, most bodies of water seem like a good place to cool off - but canals and ditches one should steer clear of. They may look inviting and refreshing, but they are very dangerous to enter. That’s why most canals have fences placed around them. 

Canals are often manmade structures that are used to transport water for irrigation and other general uses. Most canals were originally constructed in areas without a large population, but as an area surrounding the canal becomes urbanized, the canal can run through neighborhoods making it potentially dangerous.

Canals can have fast underwater currents deceiving the naked eye, strong enough to sweep away any sized human. Also, many canals have steep, slippery sides that are sometimes impossible to crawl out of.

Irrigation ditches are not as large, but are equally dangerous since they can contain trash and other debris such as rocks, glass, barbed wire and other hazardous objects that are unable to be seen from the surface. Pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants can be found in irrigation ditch water and it is definitely not safe to drink or swim in.

Some ditches even have undertows, if you find yourself caught in one of these you can easily be pulled underwater and your chances of getting out are very slim.

Here's a few tips on keeping you and your family safe near irrigation canals and ditches:

• Never swim in or play around canals or irrigation ditches
• Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or irrigation ditch
• Never jump in to rescue a pet or object.  Instead call 911 for help.

If you want to beat the rising heat, do so safely! SERVPRO of South Shasta County wants you to stay safe.