Regional Irrigation Project moves forward to next phase

A feasibility report funded by the Government of Alberta, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Special Areas Board, and the MD of Acadia shows 108,000 acres of previously cultivated land in the MD of Acadia and Special Areas region could be developed for an irrigation project. The report details the feasibility study which included factors related to irrigable land, water availability, financial and economic benefits, social and environmental benefits, costs, and environmental and permitting risks.

The next phase of work is expected to move forward this fall. It will include completion of preliminary engineering which will optimize the conceptual design completed in Phase 1 and identify opportunities to reduce costs. This work will be funded by the project partners and is expected to be completed in late 2024.

If constructed, the irrigation infrastructure would transform existing dryland agricultural industry while addressing significant economic challenges facing the region. Off-stream storage reservoirs would support effective management of water required for irrigation while providing new recreational opportunities and create new fish and waterfowl habitat. New irrigation infrastructure can increase primary crop production, water security and storage capacity while helping mitigate the impacts of climate change. Irrigation infrastructure is a critical component of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and will support thousands of good-paying private sector jobs that will produce spinoff benefits for Alberta.

‘‘Throughout its history, the Municipal District of Acadia has been an agriculturally driven community with an entrepreneurial spirit. Irrigation development in the region will allow producers to take advantage of good soils and consistent heat to grow a broad range of crops and increase the production of farmland,” stated Peter Rafa, Reeve of the Municipal District of Acadia No. 34.

“Special Areas history has been defined by people leaving our region to find opportunity. A project like this would help us write a new story, one where people come to the Special Areas to build their future. Our region has everything it needs to become a highly productive agricultural area, everything except a secure supply of water. We have good soils, the right climate, and local producers who are passionate about agriculture. We are so excited to see this project advance to the next phase of engineering,” commented Jordon Christianson, Special Areas Board Chair.

Irrigation has the potential to transform communities and agricultural operations, bringing much-needed water to areas that had difficulty accessing it before.

Last fall, the Alberta Government, together with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and eight irrigation districts, announced a historic $815-million investment in irrigation expansion and modernization. A further $117.7 million is invested with two more irrigation districts to modernize irrigation infrastructure and increase water storage in southern Alberta, boosting to nearly $933 million what was already one of the largest irrigation expansions in the province’s history.

Quick Facts

• This work was funded through a cost-share memorandum of understanding betweenAlberta’s government, the CIB, the Special Areas Board, and the MD of Acadia.

• Alberta has more than 1.7 million irrigated acres.

• The 2021 “Economic value of Alberta’s Irrigation Districts” by the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association found that:

• The irrigation districts in Alberta generates about $3.2 billion in annual labourincome and supports about 46,000 jobs.

• Irrigation-related crop and livestock production generates about $5.3 billion in totalannual sales and accounts for about 27 per cent of total primary agricultural sales.

• The irrigation industry contributes up to $5.4 billion annually to Alberta’s GDP and$2.2 billion to the agri-food GDP, which represents about 28 per cent of the agri-foodsector GDP on only 4.4 per cent of the province’s cultivated land base.

Individuals interested in receiving updates on the project should register with the Special Areas Board or the MD of Acadia.

To sign up for future information updates, individuals are asked to send preferred contact information to public.input@specialareas.ab.ca.