IID Repairs Westside Main Canal Breach Following Storm Flooding

-Editorial

Imperial Irrigation District crews repaired a breach along the Westside Main Canal on Oct. 11 after heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Rachel sent floodwaters through desert washes, overwhelming the canal’s capacity and damaging its eastern bank northeast of Centinela State Prison.

According to IID, the breach occurred at approximately 9 a.m. near Delivery 22 after stormwater runoff from the Yuha and Coyote desert washes entered the canal at a rate exceeding 3,200 cubic feet per second. The canal has a maximum capacity of approximately 2,200 cubic feet per second.

The district reported that it had taken precautionary measures ahead of the storm by reducing water flows into the canal on Oct. 10 from a normal average of approximately 720 cubic feet per second to 140 cubic feet per second.

By 6 a.m. Oct. 11, IID had completely shut off flows into the canal. However, continued runoff from surrounding desert areas caused water levels to rise beyond the canal’s capacity, resulting in flooding and the eventual breach.

By early afternoon, the damaged section had expanded to approximately 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep, according to the district.

IID Water Department personnel responded by redirecting stormwater into nearby canals and drainage facilities to lower water levels and provide access to the damaged section.

Repair crews used bulldozers, excavators, and trucks to reconstruct the affected canal bank. A local farmer also assisted by helping secure soil materials needed for the repairs.

“Our priority was to complete the repairs safely and carefully restore water levels in the canal,” IID Water Manager Ismael Gomez said. “Our crews worked under very challenging conditions, and we appreciate the local farmer’s assistance in securing the soil needed for the effort.”

Crews completed the initial repairs and closed the breach Sunday evening, less than 12 hours after the damage occurred.

IID personnel continued inspecting the canal on Oct. 12, including portions of the western bank that had been inaccessible during the flooding.

The district said additional inspections and repairs would continue as crews worked to restore normal canal operations.