The agreement managing the river is more than 100 years old, and the review will determine if it needs to be updated
The water treaty governing the St. Mary’s and Milk rivers is the oldest along the longest undefended border in the world but the more than century-old agreement between the United States and Canada is beginning to show its age. The 1909 Boundary Water Treaty was created to manage water use along the two rivers with […] Read moreTag Archives water management
Spite leads to international water agreement
Southern Alberta canal was accused at the time of ‘lacking in friendlyness,’ but a friendlier mood eventually prevailed
MILK RIVER, Alta. — The southern Alberta prairie is gradually reclaiming a humble-looking trench built more than 100 years ago to ensure farmers in the Milk River region were able to draw water and irrigate their land. At the time, its construction created an international incident but it ultimately led to a long-standing historical agreement […] Read more
Sask. injects $5 million into managing drainage issues
The Saskatchewan government is investing $5 million in agricultural water management. Premier Scott Moe announced on March 13 the Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association (SCDA) will receive the funds to help develop conservation and development area authorities (C and D). “I think it’s fair for all of us to say that we all have more […] Read more
Canadian water laws due for revision, says expert
One of Canada’s leading experts on fresh water management says political leaders need to review laws and regulations that govern water use in the country. John Pomeroy, the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, says federal and provincial water laws need to be updated to ensure that Canada is prepared for pressing […] Read more
‘Bold vision’ needed for water management: Goodale
Cabinet minister says Ottawa plans to spend more than $25 billion over 12 years for ‘green infrastructure’ projects
Ralph Goodale, the only Liberal MP from Saskatchewan, says it’s time for the provinces to get more serious about managing the country’s fresh water resources. Speaking Aug. 13 to delegates at the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage conference in Saskatoon, Goodale said water management experts and provincial decision makers need to work together to […] Read more
Water management called major challenge for world
The most productive agricultural regions around the world are working to improve yields in the face of changing climate and disappearing groundwater, said a world-leading American water scientist. “We use more water (annually) than is available to us in many parts of the world. So, we’re making up the difference from groundwater,” said Jay Famiglietti, […] Read more
Minister reassures Alta. producers over water licences
One producer is not satisfied with response and is continuing his appeal of earlier decision to close his water licences
Confusion over the status of farmers’ and ranchers’ water licences in southern Alberta continues to simmer, prompting a response from the environment minister last week. Alberta Environment is reviewing more than 1,000 water licences in the South Saskatchewan River watershed region, some of them long standing. The review raised fears about potential licence cancellation, which […] Read more
B.C. seeks input on livestock water use rules
The British Columbia government is seeking public comments on its livestock water regulations by Feb. 16. The proposed regulations within the province’s Water Sustainability Act, which was passed in 2016, are meant to clarify livestock water use and development on crown range and private land. In addition, the proposal allows for livestock watering use on […] Read more
Oldman Watershed Council focuses on public relations
Southern Alberta’s Oldman Watershed Council is hoping to conscript farmers and ranchers in an ongoing quest to tell consumers about water, food production and good management. OWC executive director Shannon Frank told those at the recent Alberta Irrigation Projects Association meeting that “a global implosion of trust” has affected the public view of agriculture, and […] Read more
Water Cannon blasts 2,000 gallons per minute
LANGHAM, Sask. — Large-scale drainage of prairie sloughs and potholes can cause serious flooding issues downstream. Hydrologists concerned with soil moisture depletion say most remaining wetlands cannot be economically drained, nor should they be. However, a dozen or more shallow little nuisance ponds scattered across a half-section field affect not only seeding operations but also […] Read more
