Saskatchewan irrigators who use the Broderick reservoir won’t have access to water for three days because of low water flows at the Eastside pumping station on Lake Diefenbaker.
The Water Security Agency confirmed July 7 that flows along the M1 canal into the reservoir were low, although lake levels were described as sufficient.
A spokesperson said the problem isn’t levels on Lake Diefenbaker but rather the ability of pumping capacity to meet demands on the M1 and downstream. Expanded long-term pumping capacity is a priority, but in the short term the WSA is working to meet current demand.
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“WSA is currently looking into additional pumping capacity from Lake Diefenbaker to meet the needs of users along M1, M2 and SSEWS canals, as well as from Broderick Reservoir and downstream reservoirs,” the agency said in an email. “We are working with the SSRID on M1 and M2 canals, and SaskWater on the SSEWS canal. All parties have agreed to a reduction of 25 percent of usage by stopping irrigation for three days.”
SSEWS is the Saskatoon South East Water Supply canal system and SSRID is the South Saskatchewan River Irrigation District. SSRID is the largest irrigation district in the province at nearly 45,000 acres.
“SSRID will cease irrigation for three days, and SSEWS irrigation will also cease for three days, while flows along the SSEWS are maintained at 50 percent to allow flows into downstream reservoirs. WSA expects these measures will improve water flows throughout the system in the coming days,” said the agency.
However, 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.
He said about 48,000 acres will go without water this weekend and blamed SaskWater for the problem.
The WSA said it understood the situation and was working to add pumping capacity as soon as possible.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
