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Rain Causes Canal Flooding, Irrigation Shutoff

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Jul 8, 2012 at 6:11 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 9, 2012 at 8:29 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- When it rains, it pours, and the little bit of rainy weather that happened Saturday is leaving a lasting impression on some Grand Junction residents.

Several people along D and 31 roads say it's been over 45 years since their properties got flooded. They say it was from the Grand Valley Irrigation Canal that was clogged up, which stopped any water from going through. "The canal was jammed up with all kinds of logs, limbs and debris," said Jerry Biehle, a homeowner whose property got flooded.

The canal spilled out 12 inches of water into three nearby properties, causing temporary road closures and major damage to many yards. "We had almost a foot of water in my front yard, and had fish swimming around in it," said Biehle.

One of the most dangerous results of the flooding has been cars speeding down D Road while workers try to remove the water and mud. "With people not slowing down, they're just slipping and sliding as we're over there trying to work. Rooster tails are just spraying at us and people are just crazy," said Biehle.

An irrigation ditch also had to be shut down due to all of the muddy water being pushed from the properties down into the drainage. "I know there's a lot of people mad. The president of this lateral said she's been getting calls from people all over wondering what's going on. We went off and shut the lateral down last night," said Biehle.

"It's not just me. It's going to be a whole bunch of people without water today," said Biehle.

Residents say the ditch water will be shut off at least until Monday. "The main canal is nothing but mud. If we turn it on it's going to clog everybody's pumps and pipes, and they need to understand that," said Biehle.





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