Massive rock slide cuts off water to Four Corners farmers | News

A massive rock slide has cut off water to hundreds of farmers in Kirtland, Waterflow and Fruitland.

The rocks stretch nearly 200 feet and have clogged up an irrigation canal, leaving it dry for the nearly 600 farmers who use it.

Lawrence Stock has not been able to water his alfalfa farm. “If we don't have water for crops...they don't grow."

Ken Hubbs is the manager of the Farmer’s Mutual Ditch. The group regulates the canal.

He said the massive rock slide happened on Friday.

“People called and said there was no water in the canal," Hubbs said.

The group has requested emergency help from the state to start removing the rocks.

“Right now we're waiting on archeological clearance above us here so they can get a blasting machine in and drill some holes," Hubbs said.

Lawrence Stock is also on the board and said they have been waiting years for approved federal funds to begin building underground irrigation pipes.

“It's ridiculous, the time it's taken to do that. We've had that application in something like five years," said Stock.

Both men said if they had underground pipes, none of this would be an issue.

“We just need the senators and stuff to get on the ball and get with Washington so we can get this project moving. We've been waiting," Hubbs explained.

The Farmer’s Mutual Ditch hopes to start clearing the rocks on Wednesday.

They estimate it will take 10 days to get the irrigation ditch up and running again.