Canal Side of Headgate
As Spring snows turn to rain and the river rises, water begins to flow through the headgate toward the agricultural ranches south of Bellevue. Higher volumes of water raise the canal's depth and entice kids to jump from the headgate into the canal. Then, when the heat of summer comes around and very little snow is left in the high country, water levels drop as does the depth in the canal.
At high water, the canal has just enough depth to prevent hitting the rocky bottom. At low water, there is only 2-3 fee of depth. Quite a few bruised ankles and bums have resulted from hucking oneself off the headgate throughout the years and perhaps even a few broken bones.
Plans will call for the new headgate design to prevent these dangers.