Planning for drought, hoping for moisture ( Photo 119445738 © Igor Borisenko | Dreamstime.com)

By Brian Konrad

Water storage at 31 per cent of full supply

SMRID advising producers to consider reduction in water allocation as they plan 2024 crops

Dec 22, 2023 | 9:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Members of the St. Mary River Irrigation District are being advised they may not receive their full allocation of water per acre for the 2024 irrigation season.

In a letter to irrigation producers, the Board of Directors says producers are advised to consider their water allocations as they make their cropping plans for the spring.

The board says current water supply levels in all SMRID reservoirs is at 31 per cent of Full Supply Limit.

Some early snowfall in November was followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in December, causing a reduction in the mountain snowpack.

That runoff was captured in both the St Mary and Waterton reservoirs.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

18h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

The board notes the success of the irrigation season hinges on above-average winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains and timely rains in the spring and summer to replenish current low water supply levels.

It also notes the extreme variability of our weather and recalls 2001/2002, when drought and low water supplies, very similar to what we are looking at today, were wiped out with one heavy rainfall event in June of 2002.

The board of directors will be meeting with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in early January to begin planning for potential drought conditions during the 2024 irrigation season.

It will also closely monitor the snowpack and precipitation levels over the next four months, with regular updates beginning January 19, 2024.