City of Kuna PSA: Irrigation Canal Safety

HIDDEN DANGERS

• No adult, child, or pet should ever swim or play near a canal.
• Canals are built to deliver irrigation water.
• Canals regularly have swift undercurrents, steep banks, and structures or debris under the water’s surface. 
• These hidden dangers may trap you and prevent you from getting out of the canal. 
• It is important to understand the dangers and to educate our children.

SAFETY REMINDERS

• *Idaho ranks ninth in the US for deaths by drowning. *More children drown in canals than any other body of water in Idaho.
• The range of water depth in canals is between 1 and 10 feet and many have steep, vertical banks made of smooth concrete that can be slippery and make exiting a canal difficult. 
• Stay away from grates, culverts, and spillways. They can also be hazardous.
• If you see a person struggling in an irrigation canal, do not try and rescue them yourself. Instead, call 911 and give the operator as much information as you have about the location of the victim.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

• Canal waters and roads adjacent to canals are not for public use. 
• Canals in some cases are owned in fee (private property) or have a right of way held by irrigation districts, ditch companies or government entities
• If you engage in recreational activities by a canal, you may be trespassing under Idaho Law. 
• Please remind children and teenagers to stay away from private property. It’s crucial for their safety and to respect the rights of property owners.