"The best way to stay safe from canals is to avoid them altogether.” 

GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman  

Key points: 

1. Stay away and out of irrigation canals. They are not safe to swim, fish or play around.  
2. Irrigation canals have steep slippery sides making self-rescue difficult. 
3. If an object or pet falls into the canal, do not try to rescue it; instead, call for help.  
4. There have been two drownings so far this year in irrigation canals.  
5. There are better places to swim than in canals, including the three public pools in Moses Lake, Quincy and Ephrata.  

QUINCY — As the warmer months approach, local officials are raising awareness about the dangers posed by irrigation canals, which are integral to the region's agricultural landscape but can be deadly. In recent months, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has reported two drownings linked to these canals, highlighting the need for community education on canal safety. 

"Typically, everyone who falls into an irrigation canal dies," GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. "Self-rescue is usually impossible, as irrigation canals have steep, slippery sides that are almost impossible to climb."  

The swift currents found in these canals can easily knock individuals off their feet and carry them away, Foreman said.  

According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the water flow in local canals can reach speeds of three miles per hour, posing a significant hazard, even in water that appears shallow. 

In Grant County, there have been two drownings so far this year, according to Foreman. One occurred last week, when a Mattawa area farmworker’s body was found in a canal. Another was a little over a month ago, when a woman was driving on a canal maintenance road and lost control of her vehicle.  

According to Foreman, there was one irrigation canal drowning in 2024, zero in both 2023 and 2022 and two in 2021. 

"Once someone falls into an irrigation canal, first responders may not be able to reach them in time," Foreman said. "We lose between one and four citizens each year due to drownings in irrigation canals." 

Officials urge parents to keep their children away from these hazardous areas. According to the GCSO's recommendations, young children should never be allowed near irrigation canals or ditches without adult supervision and personal flotation devices.  

“Never jump in to rescue pets or objects, such as toys. Instead, call for help,” Foreman said. 

Foreman said people should not be swimming in canals either. 

“There are better and safer places to swim if that’s what you want to do,” Foreman said. “We have three communities that have pools. We have pools in Ephrata, Quincy and Moses Lake. So, there are public pools available for people to feel like going swimming, and an irrigation canal is never a good choice to go swimming.” 

Ephrata has the Splash Zone located at 780 A St. SE. The pool is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For children five and under, the pool is free. For children ages 6 to 17 and seniors over 60, it is $12.25 per day. For adults between 18 and 59 years old, it is $14.50.  

The Quincy Aquatic Center is located at 724 F St. SE. The pool is open seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For children 4 and under, the pool is free. For youth and adults, it is $5 and for seniors over 50, it's $3.  

Moses Lake’s Surf ‘n Slide Water Park is located at 401 W. Fourth Ave. The pool is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. For children under 2 years old, a free daily pass is available. For children between 3 and 4 years old, it is $12. For those between the ages of 5 and 17 and those above the age of 65, it is $19. For those 18 to 64 years old it is $64.  

As communities gear up for summer activities, local law enforcement encourages everyone to remain vigilant around irrigation canals.  

"The best way to stay safe from canals is to avoid them altogether," Foreman said. “Please stay away from irrigation canals.”