 The earthquake shaking also led to extensive damage to the irrigation systems of the Imperial Valley , leading to breaches in some canals , particularly the All @-@ American Canal that brings water to the valley from the Colorado River . A 13 km ( 8 @.@ 1 mi ) section of the unlined canal between the Ash and East Highline canals experienced settling . The Imperial Irrigation District estimated damage to be $ 982 @,@ 000 for the three canals . Water flow was immediately reduced to prevent further damage and to allow assessments to be made , and within four days the repairs had been completed and full capacity restored . A hydraulic gate and a concrete facility that were damaged during the May 1940 earthquake needed repair again . The 1940 event caused significant destruction to canals on both sides of the international border , with 108 km ( 67 mi ) of damage along eight canals on the US side alone . 
