GRANT COUNTY - It could be weeks or even months before the body of Scott Kolves is recovered from the irrigation canal near Summer Falls.

Sheriff's office spokesman Kyle Foreman said they're hoping it's sooner rather than later. About 20 people were out all day Monday in boats and aircraft, as well as diving and walking along the canal. Kolves, 45, of Ephrata, was never found.

The sheriff's office believes Kolves' body is likely entangled in debris on the floor of the canal, making recovery highly unlikely at this time. The water in some sections of the canal is nearly 30 feet deep.

The water flow along the canal was stopped Monday morning for several hours to allow rescue crews to search the water near the Summer Falls dam.

The comprehensive search and recovery efforts ended Monday night.

Deputies and irrigation district personnel will keep monitoring the canal, Foreman said.

Kolves, an employee at Ephrata High School, has been missing since Sunday afternoon when his vehicle plunged into the irrigation canal about seven miles south of Coulee City. His son, Korey Kolves, 8, died at the hospital Sunday night. His two other sons, Kaden and Kyler Kolves, ages 10 and 12, were rescued from the canal by two fishermen in the area.

"This is a very sad accident which has touched may lives in the Ephrata area," Sheriff Tom Jones said Tuesday. "Please continue to pray for family members and loved ones."