A section of the Billings Bench Water Association (BBWA) Canal between North 14th and 15th Streets, close to where it flows under the Rims, has slipped about a foot. Residents within a block area have been notified of the situation, according to County Emergency Services Coordinator, KC Williams.
Williams said that he was informed on Thursday by the BBWA that a crack had been noticed in the slope below the canal, which is a city park. The shift has caused the road below the canal to “heave,” according to the notice sent out by the City of Billings Public Works. City and county officials were notified, and a geotechnical firm has been hired to inspect and test the area. The engineers were on sight all day Friday, putting out markets and making assessments, said Williams.
The water level in the canal has been lowered, according to Williams, who said further action is dependent on the geo-tech report, which he expects on Tuesday.
The area is near that area of the ditch which has been claimed to have caused damages to homes on Vuecrest in 2019.
Seven property owners filed suit a year ago against the BBWA asking that they be held accountable for the loss of their homes which they claim have lost all their value because of damages suffered from the canal.
