SRP's Annual Northside Canal Dry-up Starts Wednesday

WHAT: Portions of the Grand Canal on the north side of the Salt River will be drained for annual maintenance and construction activities. The actual dry-up activity for the Grand Canal will be spread out in different locations from Marigold Lane in north Tempe downstream to 24th Street in Phoenix. Many of SRP’s northside irrigation customers will not receive water from the Arizona and Crosscut canals during this year’s dry-up.

This winter’s limited dry-up will be conducted differently as SRP crews will not be relocating the weed-eating white amur fish that are used to control aquatic vegetation in its 131-mile Valley canal system. This year’s northside dry-up, like all other SRP dry-ups, will potentially result in increased construction traffic on canal banks as crews work to remove silt, replace concrete lining and repair gates.

WHEN: The annual northside dry-up will take place from Wednesday through Feb. 7.

WHY: SRP is responsible for keeping its canal system in operating condition during normal water deliveries. Canal dry-ups, which are performed on a rotating 10-year schedule, allow SRP as well as other utilities and municipalities to perform construction and maintenance activities in and around the canals. SRP crews also will use the northside dry-up to examine the canals and underwater structures to look for evidence of invasive adult quagga mussels.

For their safety, Valley residents who use the canal banks for recreational activities should note the increased construction and maintenance activities along the canal banks. Under no circumstances should local residents enter the canals. Posted warning signs should be obeyed.