Emergency repairs fix COID irrigation canal after breach, sinkhole, but new fire-related power outage causing issue

(Update: Repairs done, power restored but fire-related power outage cut service to some)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Repairs are complete and water service is being restored to most of the 1,800 affected Central Oregon Irrigation District customers after a lava tube caused a major breach and 40-foot sinkhole on the Central Oregon Canal last weekend. But now, a wildfire-related power outage has shut off service to some irrigators, officials said Saturday.

COID shut off the canal for emergency repairs last Sunday after a lava tube caused a “significant breach” in the floor of the canal, creating a 40-foot sinkhole.

"Crews have worked tirelessly since the breach, and repairs to the lava tube collapse on the Central Oregon Canal are complete," officials said late in the week. "Water supplies are being restored, but working with a 100-year-old system means it will take time to push water through the canal. Irrigators in Alfalfa and Powell Butte should begin seeing water by Saturday. We thank the community for their patience as we work to restore normal water delivery."

On Saturday, COID informed customers that Fridays's Mile Marker 132 Fire on the east side of Highway 97 just north of Bend means power in the area is down and not expected to be restored until next week.

The irrigation district's hydropower plant at Juniper Ridge will need to be turned off until power is restored. The plant is part of the canal, which serves patrons in northern Bend, Redmond and Terrebonne. Two delivery systems are affected, so a limited number of patrons won't be able to receive water as a result.

--

Earlier information:

COID officials at first advised users last Sunday morning that the canal, which delivers waters to users in Bend, Alfalfa and Powell Butte, would experience “a drop in flows” due to an emergency repair that would be completed “as quickly as possible.”

 They said they expected to return to the current delivery flow rates once repairs were complete.

However, in an update late Sunday afternoon, COID said the repair “will require the assistance of additional resources,’ so for now, “The Central Oregon Canal has been completely turned off.”

The breach between Ward and Gosney roads "is a significant hole," COID Managing Director Craig Horrell said.

Here's Tuesday's update from COID:

Over the weekend, an unforeseen issue occurred with the Central Oregon Irrigation District infrastructure. The Central Oregon Canal, which supplies water to COID users in Bend, Alfalfa, and Powell Butte, experienced a major breach. This breach, resulting from a lava tube collapse in the canal floor between Ward Road and Gosney Road, created a 40-foot sinkhole.

As a safety and conservation measure, water flow in the Central Oregon Canal was shut off on Sunday, July 28, at 8:20 a.m. The complete shutdown is impacting over 1,800 COID patrons, representing 55% of the district's users. The water that would normally be diverted through the canal, approximately 450 cubic feet per second (cfs), is instead flowing into the river, causing an increase in river flows and subsequently affecting the Bend Whitewater Park.

This incident highlights the need for modernizing irrigation districts' infrastructure, particularly the importance of piping century-old irrigation canals. Piping not only prevents such breaches and subsequent flooding but also improves water efficiency and conservation.

COID is actively working to assess and repair the canal's damage.

 We anticipate that these repairs will take approximately 3-4 days. Water service could be restored as soon as Friday.

In the meantime, we appreciate the public's understanding as we manage this situation and work to restore normal water delivery.