Conditions across southern Alberta continue to challenge producers. Intermittent rains have hit some areas in July after being non-existent in May and June, and it’s become a crapshoot what crops and pasture will be able to benefit from the additional moisture. “On our farm, there is a lot of uncertainty how we’re going to pull […] Read more
Irrigation
Sask. irrigation interrupted due to concerns over pump
Pumping capacity from Lake Diefenbaker was restored along Saskatchewan’s main irrigation canal last week after mechanical issues at the Eastside pumping station. Irrigators agreed to not water their crops from about July 7-10, leaving at least 48,000 acres without water, so that the Water Security Agency could fix the problem. Steve Primrose, chair of the […] Read more
‘It just kind of crept up on us’
The use of irrigation in Alberta’s Eastern Irrigation District has had a transformational effect on the landscape since the Canadian Pacific Railway first began the project of bringing water to the parched landscape of southeastern Alberta in the early 20th century. One of the first British surveys of the region conducted by Capt. John Palliser […] Read more
Small-scale solar expansion requires regulatory changes
Keith Hirsche, president of RenuWell Energy, said two projects in Barnwell and Fincastle are performing as expected and are helping offset electrical costs associated with running irrigation pivots. The projects also offset costs associated with well site remediation.
Sask. irrigators left without water for weekend
At least one irrigator wondered how this could happen, especially during a weekend expected to be extremely hot. “The crops are burning and we have heavy damage coming up,” said Jan Konst.
Low water levels highlight system’s limitations
‘Alberta is just not equipped to get through two years of drought, not with the mountain water supply,’ says researcher
The primary sources of Alberta’s irrigation water supply come from the Oldman and Bow rivers and their tributaries, which are running well below the bottom range of historical flow rates for the traditionally peak period in June.
Alta. irrigation taps turned back on, but questions remain over the issue
The water is flowing again through the canals of the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District, but questions percolate over why one of Alberta’s major irrigation systems has been unable to provide early season water to its stakeholders for the second straight year. The irrigation district said it is confident that a total water allocation of 16 […] Read more
Rain helps but much of the Prairies remain dry
Alberta crops in worst shape, but parts of Saskatchewan also struggle while Manitoba cashes in on last year’s moisture
Crops that had started germination when the rains did finally hit are unlikely going to be helped much.
Water crisis deepens for southern Alta. irrigators
Liner repairs to the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District’s canal system continue, but shortage becoming desperate
The situation for those using water supplied by the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District in southern Alberta is becoming desperate. The latest information from LNID does not bode well for irrigation farmers, as emergency repairs continue on a liner that feeds the canal system. It runs from west of Fort Macleod to east of Picture Butte. […] Read more
Alberta irrigation springs a leak
The canals of the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District would usually run full bore during a spring that has seen persistent dry conditions permeate the southern half of the province. But it’s only been able to provide a trickle of what’s needed this year, following a major leak in its canal system.
