Officials in Viking, Alta., hope a raw filtered water project will help put local farmers on a better footing for dry times
Glacier FarmMedia – The town of Viking in central Alberta is ready if the tap turns off again in 2024. This time, if drought rears its ugly head, local farmers will be able to fill their agricultural needs from a new raw water pumping station, built with the town’s existing infrastructure. The town celebrated its […] Read moreTag Archives water management — page 3
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
Irrigation study in Alta. comes up dry
One definition of a consultant is someone who looks at your watch and tells you what time it is. The recently released consultant’s report, Adaptation Roadmap for the SSRB: Assessment of Strategic Water Management Projects to Support Economic Development in the South Saskatchewan River Basin, is a mirror reflecting the aspirations of the irrigation lobby. […] Read more
U.S., Mexico spar over water treaty as drought fears rise
REUTERS — Texas farm groups warn of a disastrous season ahead for citrus and sugar as Mexican and U.S. officials try to resolve a dispute over a decades-old water treaty that supplies U.S. farmers with critical irrigation. The neighbouring countries have tussled over the 1944 treaty before, but the current drought-driven water shortages are the […] Read more
Large southern Alberta water users agree to reduce water use in severe drought
Users include participating irrigation districts, municipalities and industries
Thirty-eight of the largest and oldest water licensees in southern Alberta — including irrigation districts — have agreed to reduce their water use if severe drought conditions develop this spring or summer. Described by the province of Alberta as “the largest water-sharing initiative in Alberta’s history,” these agreements are intended to ensure Albertans receive the […] Read more
Alta. drought simulation finds vulnerabilities
The Alberta Water Council recommends that the province, municipalities and various water management groups talk to each other more so they will be better prepared to deal with drought. “Preparedness and adaptability are the keys to successfully responding and adapting to the risk of multi-year drought,” the AWC said in a report released late last […] Read more
Communities feel pinch as river levels plummet
Interprovincial water agreement under scrutiny as drought conditions in southern Alberta take their toll on region’s rivers
MEDICINE HAT — Pressure on Alberta rivers due to sustained dry conditions last fall forced a Saskatchewan town to declare a state of emergency in early December. Combined flow rates from both the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan rivers fell below 42.5 cubic metres per second (cms), according to provisional hydrometric data. That led the […] Read more
Sask. watches water levels closely
REGINA — The head of Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency says the province is watching Alberta’s preparation for potential water shortages with concern but also with the security of Lake Diefenbaker behind it. Chief executive officer Shawn Jaques said the situations are different because of the “gem” reservoir created in the 1960s. He said aside from […] 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
B.C. ranchers want focus on water management
Cattle industry lobbies for ‘beaver dam approach’ to storing water for irrigation projects, flood mitigation in watersheds
Beef producers in British Columbia who will receive help under a $71-million AgriRecovery program following record wildfires and drought want long-term solutions to what is becoming an increasing problem because of climate change. Major discussions are being held with provincial officials about how to improve water management, said Kevin Boon, general manager of the B.C. […] Read more
