It is your responsibility to keep canals and ditches free from trash, yard waste, and debris. The canal is not a disposal system for lawn clippings, tree limbs, construction materials, or household garbage.
When waste ends up in the canal system, it creates serious problems for everyone:
Flooding risks – Blockages from dumped materials can cause water to back up and damage private property.
Water delivery issues – Trash interferes with the flow of irrigation water, reducing supply to downstream users who rely on it.
Pump failures – Pressurized irrigation pumps can be clogged by debris, cutting off water to entire subdivisions.
Environmental concerns – Chemicals from lawn and garden products can wash downstream, ending up on neighbors’ lawns, gardens, and parks.
Idaho law (Idaho Statute 42-1209) makes it illegal to dump material into canals or ditches. Just as important, it’s a matter of respect—what goes into the canal on your property becomes your neighbor’s problem downstream.
Landowners are responsible for ensuring debris and waste are not placed in or near the canal. Please do your part to protect your neighbors and keep our community’s water system safe and efficient.
For more background, see the original Treasure Valley Water Users Association press release