Bring Back the Canal Liner?

The Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) in Washington State has had a number of seepage issues in its earthen canals this year. The Badger East Canal is currently experiencing significant seepage problems. While the earthen canals are designed for it, the Badger East Canal had a geosynthetic liner for water conservation between 1989 and the middle of this year. Rather than replace the liner, which KID felt had reached the end of its service life, the canal was deepened and packed with a bit of clay. The result has been flooded basements and a need to reapproach the canal’s management.