A breach in an irrigation canal south of Redmond on Young Avenue between 61st Avenue and Canal Boulevard flooded the roadways and prompted emergency alerts Wednesday night.
The break in the Pilot Butte Canal between Bend and Redmond took place about 9:00 p.m. At the time of the breach, the canal was flowing at 250 cubic feet per second.
“We have stopped the flooding and are assessing how to help people who are impacted,” said Craig Horrell, Central Oregon Irrigation District managing director. “At this time, there is no projection of how long it will take to repair and restore the canal.”
Canal breaches are gaps created in canal banks due to the breaking up of the banks. The breach is believed to have been caused by burrowing rodents. The extent of the breach is unclear.
Burrowing animals have been an ongoing challenge for irrigators as they have damaged canals all over the Western United States. Canal breaches around expanding urbanized areas can have devastating results.
The Pilot Butte Canal conveys water to 17,338 acres along 25 miles between the north end of Bend, through Redmond to Terrebonne.
“We want to thank the Deschutes County Sherriff’s Office and Deschutes County Road Department for their excellent emergency management support and equipment,” said Horrell.
