CANAL SAFETY

The Bureau of Reclamation has a canal safety program called: Otto Otter Canal Safety Program. Otto Otter, the safety mascot, educates the community about the dangers of canals and highlights the importance of staying out and away from canals. As water for the spring season will begin to turn back on, the League wants to be sure the public is reminded of the Reclamation safety points below:

1. Canal water is very cold and fast-moving.
2. Canal waters and roads adjacent to canals are not for public use. The 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. It is a trespass or encroachment to recreate within the width of the canal right of way.
3. Irrigation is the primary purpose of canals. The average depths of canals are between 1 to 10 feet deep and some have very steep vertical banks.
4. The best way to be safe from canals is to stay away. It’s not only dangerous for children, it’s hazardous for everyone, including your pets. Stay out.

To learn more, visit www.usbr.gov/pn/about/otto.