News Release Archive

Inspection of New York Canal Does Not Pinpoint Source of Flooding

Media Contact: Paul Deveau, (208) 344-1141, 11/08/2011 10:12
Vicki Hoffman, vhoffman@usbr.gov

For Release: November 08, 2011

The initial end of season inspection of the section of the New York Canal above South Minuteman Way did not reveal anything that would explain the flooding that adversely impacted several homes this summer.

On Nov. 1, a team of canal operations and maintenance personnel, geologists, and engineers inspected a 2,100-foot-long section of the canal. "Although there were some areas of standing water on the canal floor, the inspection team did not observe any significant damage or distress in the canal lining," according to Vicki Hoffman, Operation and Maintenance Manager with the Bureau of Reclamation's Middle Snake Field Office.

"We will re-examine the floor of the canal once it is completely dry and the moss is brushed off," said Paul Deveau, Boise Project Board of Control (BPBOC) Manager.

Although the focus of the inspection was the concrete and asphalt lining on the canal floor and walls, it is important to note that the purpose of the lining is to improve flow characteristics and reduce water losses.

At the end of each irrigation season, BBPOC inspects and performs any needed maintenance on the 41- mile-long canal. This routine maintenance is performed to ensure that the canal continues to deliver irrigation water to the 167,000 acres it serves.

Over the coming months, the BPBOC and Reclamation will continue to collect and analyze groundwater levels in the area as well as historic groundwater levels in an attempt to identify the source(s) of the flooding.

The Boise Project Board of Control is an operating agency of five irrigation districts. The Boise Project Board of Control, through a contract with Reclamation, operates and maintains the New York Canal.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.