Reclamation crowns Canal Safety Challenge winner

Isotrope, LLC of Medfield, Massachusetts, has been named the Canal Safety Challenge winner and will receive $100,000 for its innovative idea to improve canal safety.

Competing against two other finalists in November 2021, Isotrope, LLC’s Rescue Deck™ prototype successfully showed the potential to reduce drownings in canals after testing in Reclamation Technical Service Center’s Hydraulics Laboratory in Denver. Prototype canal safety devices were also designed and fabricated by finalists Greenfields Irrigation District of Fairfield, Montana, and WGM Group of Missoula, Montana.

“Reclamation manages more than 8,000 miles of canals across the West and 10% of those are in urban areas,” said Chief Engineer David Raff. “Making canals safer to reduce drownings is an important initiative we are proud to support.”

David Maxson of Isotrope, LLC, said this was his first time participating in a competition like the Canal Safety Challenge and is eager to make his device “a real lifesaver in our irrigation canals.” All three devices were tested in the laboratory’s straight canal section. Devices were judged based on ability to rescue a human dummy, impacts to operation, debris management, cost and durability, and more.

The gradual slope of the Rescue Deck™ allowed for human dummies to wash up gently on the deck in a safe manner. The gradual slope may make it easier for individuals to exit canals on their own and improve access for rescuers. When coupled with an effective debris management system, impacts to operations may be minimized.

Reclamation launched the Canal Safety Challenge competition in October 2020 to seek new concepts and methods that can improve public safety and reduce accidents and drownings in canals.

Reclamation is partnering with the Denver Water, Klamath Irrigation District, Pacific Gas & Electric, NASA Tournament Lab and Carrot. To learn more about this prize competition and to meet the winner, please visit www.usbr.gov/research/challenges/canalsafety.html.