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SALEM, Utah County — Nearly a week after folks in Salem were sent scrambling after a canal break, water is back flowing in the Highline Canal again. Now officials are looking at a plan for a more secure way to deliver the water.
As water poured out of the Highline Canal Aug. 25, it took loads of rocks, concrete blocks and dirt to stop it from flowing toward homes. But to make permanent repairs, the water had to be shut off until Saturday night.
"The orchards, those producing peaches and apples, they're in production time right now — an essential time for water. And them going too long without water could really hurt their crop and their economic viability," said Marty Larson, with the Highline Canal Co.
The canal has been delivering water to communities in southern Utah County, especially farmers, since 1916. It runs 18 miles and is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
"We work as a partnership in inspecting and ensuring that the canal is safe," explained Dale Hamilton, with the Bureau of Reclamation.
But as officials look to the future, they say enclosing the canal in a pipeline will make it safer and conserve 35 percent of the water lost in the open canal. They began work about five years ago to secure what could be as much as $100 million for the project.
We are certainly very interested in getting this canal enclosed ... there's a lot of parties that are involved. And it's a lengthy process to enclose a canal this size.
–Dale Hamilton, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
"We are certainly very interested in getting this canal enclosed," Hamilton said. "We've been working with Strawberry Highline Canal and Strawberry water users, and there's a lot of parties that are involved. And it's a lengthy process to enclose a canal this size."
Those who rely on the water believe last week's breach shows there is an urgent need.
Even if the funding is approved soon, it could still take years before the canal is enclosed. Until then, the canal company says it will continue to keep a close eye out for weakened areas that could result in another break.
