At the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID), community safety our top priority. As the weather warms up, ensuring canal safety becomes crucial. Each year, just as we have for generations, OID fills its irrigation canals to provide water for farms and other customers in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties.

While water from canals is essential for local agriculture, it can pose serious dangers for individuals walking or playing nearby. The fast-moving underwater currents in irrigation canals can knock people down and quickly sweep them away. Additionally, the steep and slippery sides of the canals make them nearly impossible to climb out of if someone falls in. Some canals also contain culverts, gratings, and other infrastructure that can create dangerous traps.

For these reasons, we urge you to exercise extreme caution around our canals. The Oakdale Irrigation District’s message to the community is: “Stay Out and Stay Alive!”

Here are some important safety guidelines to follow:

• Never swim or wade in canals.
• Maintain a safe distance from the edges of the canals. The sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to escape if you fall in.
•  Activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are strictly prohibited.
• Keep pets away from the water and ensure dogs are on leashes.
• Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the canal banks.
• Stay away from equipment at water delivery gates.
• Respect property rights by not littering or dumping trash.
• Never jump in to rescue pets, toys or other objects.
• If someone falls into the canal, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to jump in to save them. Instead, try to reach them with a hand or an object, or throw something buoyant they can grab onto.

Please use caution and good judgment around the canals and ditches while enjoying recreational activities.