Development league: Stay out of canals

People should not swim in irrigation canals, even during extreme heat, said the Columbia Basin Development League in a press release.

The Columbia Basin Project irrigation system brings water to thousands of acres, from Quincy to Ritzville. The Columbia Basin Development League represents stakeholders of the project and warns would-be swimmers to stay out.

“Canals are vital to our economy but dangerous places for people,” said Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the development league, in the press release. “Canal water moves fast, runs deep and is definitely not for public use. Plus, getting someone out of a canal is a real challenge. Just don’t do it.”

Loitering around canals can lead to being arrested and charged with trespassing, and the roads adjacent to canals are not meant for public use, Scharlau added.

The development league recommends finding a safe place to swim listed on a city or county website, or at state parks or local parks.

— Connor Vanderweyst