Bullrushes in the foreground with a large slough behind and some round grain bins on the opposite shore in the distance.

Researcher pans Saskatchewan water stewardship policy

A University of Regina scientist says the science does not support the province’s newly unveiled agricultural water stewardship policy

A long-time water researcher says Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy ignores water quality and won’t accurately measure the effects of wetland drainage.

Lush green bullrushes surround a prairie slough.

Sask.’s new drainage policy gets mixed reviews

Conservationists and drainage proponents both have problems with the province’s Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency announced its Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy last week, nine years after regulations first set out the province’s intention to manage drainage. It appears stakeholders involved in the consultations on both sides of the debate aren’t happy with the final policy. Those who view drainage as a management tool say they could […] Read more

Letters to the editor – December 19, 2024

Drainage policies increase farm risk The Saskatchewan government has released its midterm financial update, and it isn’t good news, with a deficit of $743 million, twice that of what was projected. The main reason? Higher crop insurance payouts because a hot July dried out fields and reduced crop yields. The minister of finance is quoted […] Read more


PTx Trimble’s new WM-FieldForm system allows farmers to complete drainage operations from initial planning and mapping right through to the implement control necessary to carry out drainage plans. | PTx Trimble photo

PTx Trimble introduces new technology

WM-FieldForm allows for mapping and implement control with new displays that have faster auto-design features

PTx Trimble, now a part of Agco, introduced a new digital system in mid-November for creating topographical field maps, drainage plans and the necessary software and hardware to control implements to carry out those plans. WM-FieldForm is capable of controlling a single scraper to shape field surfaces. It is the first water management system from […] Read more

The agriculture industry says Saskatchewan is behind other jurisdictions in terms of education about water management, and there is a need for “one big table” where everyone involved in water can discuss issues.  |  Karen Briere photo

Network promotes better farm drainage communication

Farmer-led initiative says producers, public need better information about how to handle too much or too little water

REGINA — A new collaboration in Saskatchewan is meant to improve communication about agricultural water. The Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network (SK DEN) is a partnership led by farmers and farm organizations who want water better managed. Related story: Landowners struggle with unapproved drainage “When it comes to drainage management and irrigation, I think we have […] Read more


Lane Mountney stands near the adequate outlet of a planned 28-quarter drainage project in the Rural Municipality of Wawken in southeastern Saskatchewan. He opposes the project, but his land has been designated as the adequate outlet. |  Karen Briere photo

Landowners struggle with unapproved drainage

Water quality is the latest concern for one Saskatchewan downstream landowner who receives water from a large area

WAWOTA, Sask. — Lane Mountney doesn’t want his neighbours’ water. However, one quarter section of his land in southeastern Saskatchewan was designated the adequate outlet for a 28-quarter drainage project and, even though the Water Security Agency hasn’t approved the project, the water has already started to arrive. Related story: Network promotes better farm drainage […] Read more

Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Associatio president Myles Thorpe said sustainable crop production and soil health depend on proper drainage. The Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network is to share and build knowledge of innovative and responsible water management practices, according to the press release. | File photo

Network aims to share drainage research and innovation

REGINA — A variety of agricultural stakeholders have formed a new provincial drainage research and extension network. The Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Association, which promotes drainage, announced the network Sept. 10, describing it as a private sector leadership initiative and a collaboration of industry leaders and strategic advisers. The Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network will be known […] Read more

Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor said some drainage projects in the province do not include mitigation measures that address flooding, water quality and wildlife habitat concerns.  |  File photo

Sask. auditor urges WSA to finalize water, wetland policies

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor said the Water Security Agency is making progress toward implementing recommendations made in 2018 about how it regulates agricultural drainage. However, it still hasn’t finalized its water quality and wetland retention requirements, which Tara Clemett said should be in place before drainage is approved. The auditor said there are risks […] Read more


A research paper that will be published soon describes that 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) per year are drained across the Prairies.  |  File photo

Prairie wetland loss estimates raise questions

Wetland retention is likely much lower than the figure advertised by the Water Security Agency, say scientists

REGINA — Scientists say the Water Security Agency’s claim that 86 per cent of Saskatchewan’s wetlands remain is based on recent rather than historical data. “My understanding is that they were using baseline years around 2006,” said Colin Whitfield, associate professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security at […] Read more

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency claims 86 per cent of the province’s wetlands are undrained, but the opposition NDP says the number is 51 per cent.  |  File photo

Sask. wetland retention number questioned

The opposition NDP claims the government is overstating the percentage of wetlands that remain intact in the province

REGINA — The opposition NDP questioned the Saskatchewan government’s wetland retention last week, saying the Water Security Agency is advertising false numbers. Erika Ritchie, MLA for Saskatoon Nutana, said the agency is using public money to publish ads claiming that 86 per cent of the province’s wetlands are undrained. “If only that were true,” she […] Read more