UNSURE OF YOUR SWIMMING ABILITY? STAY OUT OF THE WATER

The 80 mile-long All American Canal transports irrigation water from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley. A modernizing project to reduce water seepage is underway -- a 23 mile section is being lined with concrete. The water to be saved is equivalent to the yearly needs of over 260,000 families of four. Saving water sounds like a good a idea.

There is a problem, however: the canal is a barrier to illegal Mexican immigrants, many of whom drown in it -- over 500 deaths since 1942. The new concrete lining will increase the risk by making the sides of the canal nearly impossible to climb. As a safety measure, the canal will be equipped with exit ladders every 375 feet. Not good enough say critics who demand lifelines be installed. Sounds silly to me; what the canal needs is bridges so that illegals aren't inconvenienced at all. I mean, it would be a damn shame if any of them came down with colds after a swim.