Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

Reclamation oversees extensive canal systems where animal burrows near earthen embankments can lead to increased risk, including seepage, settlement, and internal erosion. These burrows/voids may lead to structural failures that threaten water supplies, cause property damage, and endanger nearby populations. Traditional deterrent methods, such as hunting and trapping, are costly, highlighting the need for innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. The 2016 Science & Technology (S&T) Program prize competition solicited ideas for deterring animals from burrowing into canal embankments, awarding five approaches from a $20,000 prize pool. This research evaluates three selected approaches from the competition. The first method involved a wind-powered acoustic emitter, which was found to be cost-prohibitive and ineffective at necessary frequency ranges. The research team pivoted the wind-powered design and developed a solar-powered electronically-amplified acoustic device designed to emit programmable (frequency and amplitude) acoustic waves to deter target species. The second approach explored the use of noxious plants to deter habitation, which showed promise but faced challenges in implementation, particularly at the Boise canal site where no native species were suitable. The third method utilized a concrete canvas liner, which, at the time of the authoring of this report, successfully prevented animal intrusion from burrowing. Motion-activated video monitoring indicated a reduction in rodent activity following the deterrent installations, although external factors like predator presence and human activity may have influenced the results.