Sinkhole closes part of West Valley road

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A small section of Fisk Road will likely be closed for a few days to allow repairs after an irrigation leak Monday caused a sinkhole to develop.

A Fisk Road resident drove his small Toyota truck into the edge of the muddy mess about 2 p.m. before realizing the problem, but he was able to get out without hurting himself or damaging the vehicle, Yakima County sheriff's Deputy Chris Stearley said.

The closed area is between Douglas and Rodgers roads, a lightly populated section of West Valley.

Stearley said the hole took out the westbound lane of the gravel road and was perhaps 5 feet deep and 10 feet across. Matt Pietrusiewicz, county road maintenance manager, described the hole as large enough to hold a service truck.

The sinkhole developed along a 12-inch plastic irrigation pipe that is part of the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District.

District manager Rick Dieker said service to that area was quickly shut off Monday once the leak was discovered.

District crews will wait for the water to drain, then begin repairs to the line, followed by the road.

Dieker said it's unclear why the pipe failed.

The district has been running water for the past week in preparation for the irrigation season.

Perhaps 15 to 20 customers will be affected by the failed pipe. Service continues in the rest of the district, Dieker said.