Moss

     Here is a row of syphon tubes. You may notice (despite the rather poor lighting) that the front one isn't running. The culprit here, is moss.

     I'm not sure what this kind of moss is called, all I know is that the ditches have been full of it and it's quite effective for plugging tubes. It's kind of like a very fine yet slimy wad of hair.

     These long, hot, sunny days makes the moss thrive. It grows in every canal and feeder ditch. The kind of moss that is the issue grows in great big long strands. The ends break off or sometimes the whole plant gets swept away. And then down the ditches the chunks come, eager to put a damper on irrigation.

     Farmers have many methods of dealing with floating debris. Screens (like the one above) and other filtration methods can catch a lot. But they require some maintenance because, as you can see, the moss will fill the screen and make it overflow. And the moss keeps coming. The best tool in this fight is vigilance and hands. Tubes need unplugged and reset. The water must keep flowing.
     As the ditch company takes steps to reduce the moss it will become less of a problem. But, as always, in nature where there is opportunity there will be life. So there will always be moss. Oh well, there are worse jobs than being out in the fields checking tubes.