KID asks for help keeping burrowing animals away from canals

The Kennewick Irrigation District turned on the irrigation system over the weekend, and officials say they need your help to make sure burrowing rodents don't cause a break in irrigation canals.

"The number one cause of canal failures in the 17 Western states the Bureau of Reclamation manages  is from burrowing rodents," says Kenniwick Irrigation District manager Chuck Freeman.

Rodents were to blame for a canal break that flooded several homes in Kennewick last June.

"We did have a gopher take out the Highland Feeder Canal last year, and cause substantial damage to that neighborhood," said Freeman. "And then we had a California ground squirrel take out a Division 4 canal 3 years ago, and impacted a cherry orchard and hay field."

Burrowing animals have been an on-going challenge for irrigators, as the critters damage canals all over the Western United States. However, Freeman says it can also be animals hunting those rodents that can cause damage.

"Rabbits burrow, and then coyotes come along and dig them out," Freeman says. "We've had reports of that going on."

Freeman says if you see rabbits, chipmunks, gophers, or other burrowing animals near the canals, contact their customer service department (509-586-9111) or email customerservice@kid.org.