Drowning Danger

MERCEDES — Local officials hope the death of a young boy last month will give local residents cause to think twice before heading to irrigation canals to escape the hot summer sun.

Alexis Perez, 11, drowned June 20 while swimming in an irrigation canal north of Mercedes - a tragedy officials said could have been avoided.

Mercedes Fire Chief Jaime Garcia said that, even though drowning deaths are rare in the city's canals, the water systems should be avoided for swimming purposes. 

"We don't get called on this too often," he said. "I've been here for 22 years and this is really the only drowning I can recall. But these canals have swift currents when farmers are irrigating the fields and it's difficult to see the currents because they're under water."

The currents, Garcia said, are the main contributors to the danger associated with swimming in the canals. He recommended taking advantage of public facilities for cooling down during the summer months. 

 
"As far as swimming is concerned, attend the public swimming pools," he said. "They have a lifeguard on duty. I wouldn't recommend going out into the canal to cool down."

Mercedes Public Works Director Jesse Villarreal said the canals are not safe for anyone, even those who consider themselves experienced swimmers.

 "The canal system that passes through Mercedes for example is not one that has a concrete base," he said. "There's mud in there that can suck people in. You can get stuck. Also, if a person is swimming when you open up the irrigation valve, they can get stuck in there. Kids will usually go to where the valves are to dive in and it is not safe at all."

Villarreal agreed that public pools are the best way to cool off safely this summer.

"We have a municipal swimming pool that kids can go to where they can swim for a dollar," he said. "If they don't have the money they could talk to someone. I know I'd donate a dollar to them for swimming to avoid losing a life. There is turmoil for the family and the canals are not made for that."

Aside from the danger associated with swimming in area canals, a number of Valley cities have ordinances on the books which strictly prohibit the activity. Mercedes police said those caught in canals could be cited or even arrested.