Officials Warn of Water Dangers Along Border Canals as First Responders Train for River Rescues

As irrigation season sends large volumes of water through canals along the U.S.-Mexico border, federal officials are warning residents about the dangers of entering waterways that can appear calm from the surface but conceal powerful currents.

U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector recently issued a public warning about the International Boundary and Water Commission canal system, noting that the canals are deeper than they often appear and can contain strong currents and undertows capable of overwhelming swimmers and waders.

The City of Las Cruces posted the following: Be prepared for monsoon season- turn around, don’t drown! Monsoon season brings increased risks of flash flooding, extreme heat, wildfires, lightning, dust storms, and landslides. Plan for the safety of your family and property. Find more safety tips on the City of Las Cruces Stormwater and Floodzone Information webpage: LasCruces.gov/Stormwater

According to Border Patrol officials, water releases from upstream reservoirs in New Mexico increase canal flows during the irrigation season. The agency said fatalities have occurred when individuals entered the canals and were unable to escape the current.

The warning comes as first responders throughout the Borderland continue preparing for water-related emergencies.

On Thursday, personnel with the Sunland Park Fire Department conducted water rescue training on the Rio Grande near the Racetrack Drive bridge. Firefighters trained from the basket of Truck 53 and along the riverbank, practicing techniques used to reach and rescue people trapped or stranded in moving water.

While the Border Patrol warning focused on canals near the international boundary, emergency responders routinely remind residents that rivers, irrigation canals, flood channels and other waterways can become hazardous with little warning. Strong currents, slippery banks, changing water depths and submerged debris can quickly turn a routine outing into an emergency.

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As summer temperatures rise and outdoor recreation increases across southern New Mexico, public safety officials encourage residents to stay out of canals, supervise children near waterways and leave water rescues to trained personnel equipped with specialized gear and training.

The Border Patrol warning also noted that smugglers sometimes direct migrants into canals to avoid detection, placing them at additional risk. Officials emphasized that entering these waterways can have life-threatening consequences regardless of the reason.

Residents who observe someone in distress in the water should call 911 immediately rather than attempting a rescue themselves.