The Saskatchewan government says it will spend $30 million over the next 10 years to restore Lake Diefenbaker’s irrigation system that last saw a major cash infusion in the 1980s. The promise was made in the Oct. 27 throne speech.
The government has allocated $1 million this year to repair the 22.5 kilometre M1 Canal, which is the main waterway between the east side pump station on the lake and the Broderick reservoir.
“We’re really happy with what we heard in the throne speech,” said Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association chair Roger Pederson.
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“SIPA’s always advocated three parts: rehabilitation and infill and some new development. We’ve gotten two of them on the road now so that’s great news.”
He said the 10-year time line is realistic.
Irrigation districts and users have kept the smaller canals in good shape, he added, but the M1 Canal, which opened in 1967, moves a lot more water to users other than agricultural irrigators.
The canal supplies water to 55,000 acres, eight communities, three potash mines and 26 domestic users.
The Lake Diefenbaker system as a whole provides water for 300,000 agricultural acres.
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said the $30 million would likely come in equal installments. Additional money will be available for operating costs.
