Douglas canal was turned off late this afternoon, Friday the 3rd.  Due to the current low demand for irrigation water through the canal, and after consulting the affected users, there was unanimous agreement to do so.  The aquatic vegetation in the canal is beginning to come on strong, already creating a .45′ shift at only 22 cfs through the upper canal reach, a 45% increase since just the week before.  By turning the canal off and draining as much as possible, we hope to eradicate much of this vegetation and possibly avoid limited delivery issues or mechanical raking later in the season.  Following several substantial rain events and with the approach of haying, the timing seems to fit for everyone without creating undue stress to crops.  The planned duration of the shut down is 7 to 8 days.

Thanks everyone!