Kennewick Irrigation District

07/30/2026

Kennewick Irrigation District recently joined the City of Richland Government, Richland Fire & Emergency Services, City of Kennewick Government, Kennewick Fire Department, Benton County Fire District #1, and for a coordinated mock canal rescue.

The exercise gave emergency responders an opportunity to train together under real canal conditions while also creating footage for future fire department training and public education.

Canals may look calm, but they are designed to move water and conditions can become dangerous in seconds.

If someone falls into a canal, call 911 immediately and never enter the water to attempt a rescue. Keep the person in sight and, if it can be done safely, throw them a flotation device or rope. Please also remember that canals and adjacent canal roads are private property. Stay off, stay out, and keep children and pets away.

One exercise. Multiple agencies. One community. One goal: prevent a tragedy.

07/27/2026

Excited to be a part of this again! We look forward to seeing you.

Join Us for Kennewick National Night Out
Mark your calendar for an evening of FREE summer fun, food and community connection.
📅 Tuesday, Aug. 4
🕔 5–7:30 p.m.
📍 Southridge Sports and Events Complex and Numerica Pavilion, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick

Bring your family, meet your neighbors, and enjoy activities for all ages, including:
🍔 Free hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs from Tsunami Catering (first 1,000 guests)
🍧 Free Kona Ice (first 850 guests)
🚓 City and community partner vehicle displays
👋 Meet Kennewick City Council and city staff
🎠 The Gesa Carousel of Dreams will also be open and offering free rides
🤹 Knockerball Inflatables
🎪 Big Top the Clown

We’re excited to have Tsunami Catering, Kennewick Police Department Foundation, and RAZR Restoration as community partners for National Night Out.
Be sure to stop by and show your support for these local organizations while enjoying the evening’s activities!

Image Description
A graphic for National Night Out event featuring three photos at the top: children riding a carousel, city employees near a large vehicle, and fire department staff members at a table. Below the photos are details of the event scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex, with the Kennewick logo at the bottom.

07/14/2026

A quick mid-summer reminder: Call 811 before you dig.

Many spring yard projects may be finished, but digging can happen all summer long, whether you’re replacing a fence post, planting a tree, repairing landscaping or starting a last-minute outdoor project.

Before putting a shovel in the ground, please call 811 to have the approximate location of underground utility lines marked. In Washington, requests should be submitted at least two full business days before digging begins.

Always wait for all affected utility operators to respond, check the markings and dig carefully. Hitting an underground line can interrupt service, result in costly repairs or cause serious injury.

Even for a small project, make the call.

Learn more or submit a request:
811beforeyoudig.com
washington811.com

07/10/2026

A good reminder as mowing season continues: what you do with your grass clippings can have a big impact on our canal system, and your neighbors.

Grass clippings may seem harmless, but once they get into canal water, they can clog screens, filters and sprinkler systems. That can create frustrating problems for customers downstream and add extra work for crews trying to keep water moving.

If you live near a canal, please avoid tossing clippings over the fence or leaving piles where wind can blow them into the water. “Out of sight, out of mind” can quickly become someone else’s irrigation headache.

Algae is already enough of a challenge this time of year, so please help us keep clippings, yard waste and anything else that doesn’t belong out of the canal system.

Need help finding disposal options?

Benton County has more information here: https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/services/public_services/solid_waste_recycling/index.php

07/04/2026

Happy 250 years everyone!

Enjoy this special day!

Did you know? John Adams originally wanted to celebrate our independence on July 2nd? Interesting! Learn more below!

https://www.history.com/articles/july-4th

07/02/2026

Our office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day.

We will reopen on Monday, July 6th at 8:00am.

Happy 250th!

06/17/2026

So… how are we doing water-wise?

You may have heard already: our snowpack has melted out earlier than we would have liked.

The good news is that the Yakima Basin reservoirs were nearly full heading into this stretch. The Bureau of Reclamation has now begun drawing down those reservoirs to help meet irrigation demand across the basin.

A quick reminder: the five major reservoirs in the Yakima Basin can store about 1 million acre-feet of water. Total demand across the basin is closer to 2.5 million acre-feet. Snowpack helps make up that difference, which is why it matters so much.

At this point, even including the week KID was shut down, we are doing well under the voluntary watering schedule.

Could we need a mandatory schedule later this summer? Possibly, especially if we see unusually hot temperatures for an extended period. But the more people who follow the voluntary schedule now, the less likely we are to need mandatory restrictions later.

We know conservation is not always convenient, and we truly appreciate everyone doing their part.

Will the Department of Ecology curtail us like it did last year? Nothing has been announced at this point, and we are hopeful it will not be necessary.

Looking ahead, NOAA says El Niño conditions are present and expected to strengthen into the winter. For the Pacific Northwest, El Niño often means warmer and drier conditions, which could make next year another challenging water year.

Bottom line: we’re okay right now, but conservation still matters. Every bit helps stretch the supply we have.

Sources:
Reservoir levels - https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yaktea.html
Snowpack - https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/imap/...
Stay up to date with the latest information by going here: kid.org/your-kid/drought-information

06/15/2026

Tips on how to keep your pets safe this 4th of July!

🎆 Firework Season Is Upon Us! 🎆
Please take time to plan ahead to keep your pets safe and comfortable during this noisy season. Fireworks can be terrifying for animals, and the sudden loud noises often cause them to panic and run.

Our team here at WTSAR has some basic reminders to help protect your pets:

🐾 Keep Pets Indoors:
Make sure your pets are inside before fireworks begin. Even outdoor pets should be brought in to prevent them from escaping out of fear.

🔒 Secure Your Home & Yard:
Double-check that doors, windows, and gates are securely closed. Scared pets may bolt, even through small openings.

📸 Update ID Tags & Microchips:
Ensure your pet’s ID tag has current contact info and that their microchip details are up to date. This is critical if they get out.

🎵 Drown Out the Noise:
Play calming music, white noise, or keep the TV on to help muffle the sounds of fireworks.
You can also use noise-canceling earmuffs for dogs (or vet-approved hearing protection) for pets that tolerate wearing them.

🛏️ Create a Safe Space:
Give your pet a quiet, comfy area with blankets or their favorite toys. A covered crate can help some animals feel more secure.

💊 Talk to Your Vet if Needed:
If your pet has extreme anxiety, speak to your vet in advance about calming aids or medications.

🐕‍🦺 Don’t Leave Pets Alone Outdoors:
Even a fenced yard isn’t safe during fireworks. Frightened pets have been known to jump fences or dig out.

🧡 Let’s make sure our furry family members stay safe and feel loved this firework season.
🎆

06/10/2026

Hot temperatures are just around the corner, and unfortunately, we still see people using canals as a place to cool off, sometimes with their pets.

Please don’t. Canals are not safe for swimming, wading, or playing. Canal roads are also private property.

Why is it dangerous?

Canals carry raw Yakima River water, which is treated to help combat algae. This water is not safe to swallow and may be harmful to people or pets.

Debris such as rocks, construction materials, appliances, branches, or other dumped and wind-blown items may be hidden below the surface. Jumping in could cause serious injury.

Even when the current looks slow, it can be strong enough to knock you off your feet and carry you downstream.

Earthen, concrete, and HDPE-lined canals can become extremely slippery, especially when algae is present, making it very difficult to climb out.

What should you do if someone falls in?

Do not jump in after them.

Call 911 immediately. If you don’t have a phone, yell for help.

Walk alongside the canal and keep the person in sight as they move with the current.

Toss in an object that can help them float, if one is available.

What should you do if you fall in?

Stay calm.

Float toward the side of the canal.

Yell for help.

Canals are working waterways, not swimming areas. Please keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe by staying out.

Interested in sharing the message? We have printable (see photos) handouts on our website at kid.org/your-kid/water-safety.

Together, we can help prevent a tragedy.