Canal dry-ups

Each fall and winter, portions of SRP's major canals north and south of the Salt River are dried up for about a month, each side separately, so construction and maintenance work can be done. During the dry-up, trash and debris are cleaned from the canals.

Recreation restrictions and safety

An image of maintenence being performed on a canal grate.In some areas, recreational use of the canal banks is restricted during dry-ups. For their safety, people who use the canal banks for recreational activities should note the increased construction and maintenance activities along the canal banks during dry-ups.

Under no circumstances should residents enter the canals. Posted warning signs should be obeyed.

Why dry-ups are necessary

SRP is responsible for keeping its canal system in operating condition during normal water deliveries. Canal dry-ups allow SRP as well as other utilities and municipalities to perform construction and maintenance activities in and around the canals.

During the dry-up, trash and debris are cleaned from the canals. Portions of the canals are lined with a cement-like protective covering to help minimize water loss through seepage into the ground. More than half of the 131-mile system has been lined.

Local governments use the dry-up periods to do road work near the canals and to build or improve bridges over the canals.

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