MOSES LAKE — With warmer weather returning to the Columbia Basin, local officials are emphasizing a message they say cannot be repeated enough: irrigation canals are not recreational waterways. 

“The best way to stay safe from canals is to avoid them altogether,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.  

That message is echoed by both law enforcement and irrigation officials, who say the canals’ design — built for moving water, not people — makes them inherently dangerous.  

Built for water, not recreation 

Foreman said canals often feature steep, concrete-lined banks coated with dust or algae, making it nearly impossible to climb out once someone falls in. Combined with fast-moving currents, those conditions can quickly become deadly. 

“Once someone falls into an irrigation canal, self-rescue is usually impossible,” Foreman said.  

Jeremy Ryf, safety manager for the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District, said the danger goes beyond what people can see from the surface. 

“These are not designed for recreation,” Ryf said. “There are hidden hazards under the water that people don’t see — things you can get hung up on or hit.” 

Those hazards include debris, underwater structures, and siphons, which can trap or pull someone underwater. 

Danielle Walraf, an East Columbia Basin Irrigation District representative, emphasized that canals may look calm in places but are engineered for efficiency — not safety. 

“These canals were never meant for swimming or playing,” Walraf said. “They’re designed to move water quickly, and that makes them dangerous for anyone who gets in.” 

A recurring problem 

Fatal canal incidents continue to occur across Grant County, reinforcing officials’ concerns. 

In May 2025, a 24-year-old Quincy woman died after her vehicle went into a canal south of Quincy. Investigators said she was unable to escape the submerged vehicle. Such incidents are not isolated. Prior reporting shows multiple drownings linked to irrigation canals, including at least two deaths reported in 2025 alone. Authorities say the county typically sees between one and four canal-related deaths each year.  

“We lose a member of our community once or twice a year due to irrigation canals.” Foreman said. “It happens more often than people think.”  

Small choices, serious consequences 

Officials say many canal incidents begin with seemingly minor decisions — walking too close to the edge, trying to cool off on a hot day or attempting to retrieve a lost item. 

“If you lose something in the canal, don’t go after it,” Ryf said. “That’s how people end up going in.” 

Walraf reinforced that message, noting that even strong swimmers underestimate the danger. 

“If something falls in, you have to let it go,” she said. “No object or even a pet is worth risking your life.” 

Foreman added that trying to rescue a pet or object can quickly turn tragic. 

“If your pet ends up in the canal and you go after it, there’s a good chance you will not survive,” he said. 

Risks on the road 

The danger is not limited to people in the water. 

Many canal-related fatalities involve vehicles, particularly on narrow maintenance roads that run alongside canals. Those roads are typically unpaved and not meant for public travel. 

“They can be gravel or dirt and not developed like regular roads,” Foreman said. “That creates a hazard for vehicles.” 

Ryf said the lack of stable road conditions, combined with the proximity to deep water, increases the risk of a vehicle sliding into a canal. 

Walraf noted that once a vehicle enters the water, escape can be extremely difficult. 

“Those canals are deep, and the water is moving,” she said. “If a vehicle goes in, it becomes a situation that people often can’t get out of.”  

Education and prevention 

To reduce the number of incidents, irrigation district staff conduct annual safety presentations at local elementary schools, focusing on younger children. 

“We try to get the message to them early,” Ryf said. “Hopefully they take it home and share it with their families.” 

Still, officials say public awareness remains critical as more people spend time outdoors during the summer months. 

“We keep pushing this message because people still get hurt,” Walraf said. “We want to prevent that.” 

Safer options available 

Officials stress that residents looking to cool off have safer alternatives, including public pools and designated swimming areas. 

“There are better places to swim,” Foreman said, pointing to facilities in Moses Lake and Ephrata.  

A clear warning 

As temperatures rise, authorities say the message is simple — and potentially lifesaving. 

“Irrigation canals are not for recreation,” Walraf said. “Treating them like they are, can have serious, even fatal consequences.” 

Foreman agreed. 

“Stay out of the canals,” he said. “That’s the safest choice you can make.”