Water control on irrigation canal along Highway 45

Someone has to walk the plank! Irrigation canals are in abundance throughout the farmland, and control valves like this one are key to delivering the life blood of water to the crops. As in any large arterial system, valves control the flow and direction of water. This “valve” raises and lowers a wooden gate, connecting this canal to another. Fully manual, no batteries required.
[Click on the photo for a larger view]

Part of a continuing series of six standalone photos from a journey in February, 2011.
See Stand Alone #002: Highway 45 for the introduction and background to this series.