With the help of irrigation, producers Jeff Ewen and Nigel Oram have had substantial success with dry beans in Saskatchewan, but there are challenges that come with being a small community of growers. They recently advocated for more dry bean acres being added to crop rotations, during the Saskatchewan Irrigation Conference in Saskatoon. Dry beans, […] Read more
Tag Archives irrigation — page 5
Alberta requests options for dealing with drought
Alberta is preparing for possible water shortages in southern rivers that feed its irrigation network and is asking for proposals to help deal with the situation. “A key element of this is the development of water sharing agreements, whereby holders of large water licences work together to agree on how much less water each will […] Read more
Irrigation modernization moves ahead in Alta.
Proponents say the projects that have already been completed made a significant difference to irrigators this past year
It’s full bore ahead for the nearly $1 billion Alberta Irrigation Modernization program launched more than two years ago that will see hundreds of kilometres of open canals converted to underground pipes, improved infrastructure and expanded reservoir capacity. Richard Phillips, chair of Irrigating Alberta, a consortium of 10 irrigation districts set up to manage the […] Read more
Water sharing agreements ‘helpful’ in a drought
As reservoir levels stabilize in southern Alberta, a consulting company says it’s crucial that all stakeholders work together
Irrigation districts in southern Alberta managed a tough growing season as drought maintains a stubborn hold and calls for maintaining co-operation between stakeholders and better water storage infrastructure continues. From the Milk River along the U.S. border to the Hay River running into the Northwest Territories, 50 water shortage advisories are currently in place across […] Read more
Time to realize Sask. irrigation potential: CAPI report
New report endorses province’s commitment to massively increase the Lake Diefenbaker-based irrigation system
It’s time for Saskatchewan to finally achieve its irrigation potential after decades of frustration and failure. That’s the bottom line of a new report released by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. Irrigation: Saskatchewan’s Unfulfilled Dreams, written by Quebec journalist and agricultural researcher Nicolas Mesly, endorses the Saskatchewan government’s commitment to massively increase the Lake Diefenbaker-based […] Read more
Ranchers feel the heat as water supplies dwindle
Cattle producers forced to haul water since early in the summer as lack of rain dries up dugouts across the province
The drought in Alberta has caused multiple rural municipalities to declare agricultural disasters, urban communities to issue water restrictions and warnings from the province about tough times for next season if present conditions continue. That warning includes irrigation districts that got through the 2023 season by tapping into its robust reservoir system built over the […] Read more
Irrigators warned to plan for shortages
The situation along rivers and in reservoirs across southern Alberta received a reprieve from deteriorating conditions on the last day of September, but challenges remain as the last few irrigation districts shut off their taps for the season. Rainfall in late September was among the largest seen in weeks and was also widespread and felt […] Read more
Let us always know water’s worth
In August 2022, a friend offered a boat ride on the Oldman Dam reservoir. It was a hot, sunny day with minimal wind — uncharacteristic at the aptly named Windy Point on the reservoir’s eastern edge. It was an ideal day for such an excursion. We enjoyed the breeze created from the motorboat’s speed and […] Read more
Alta. producers feel pinch as reservoirs shrink
A booster shot of rain falling across southern Alberta and the last major irrigation district closing its canal will buoy dwindling reservoir and river levels as the first week of October ends. But the short-term forecast will see a return of warm, dry conditions and the seasonal forecast is unclear, though El Nino is expected […] Read more
Coal mining fears resurface on Eastern Slopes
Company attempts to gain approval from Alberta Energy Regulator to begin drilling and exploration at Grassy Mountain
A company’s bid to start coal exploration at Grassy Mountain in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes has raised fears the initiative will renew a wider push for open-pit coal mining. It makes no sense to conduct coal mining that could potentially contaminate water used by farmers, ranchers and irrigation across southern Alberta, said High River mayor Craig […] Read more
