By Brittney Matejka

Delays for irrigated farmers, damaged canals need repair

May 1, 2018 | 4:03 PM

COUNTY OF FORTY MILE, AB. – Irrigated farmers in the County of Forty Mile will be delayed this spring in having water out to their fields.

Terence Lazarus, the general manager of St. Mary River Irrigation District said they do not have an exact date as to when farmers can turn on the taps to their fields.

“We’re hoping to have water to our irrigators as soon as possible,” he said. “Now is the season to start seeding and irrigating.”

Pending on the board of directors approval, Lazarus said they hope to be providing farmers with water for irrigation in two weeks time. He went on to explain the delay is due to canal damage from the M.D. of Taber to Cypress County from the overland flooding this spring

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“We’ve seen quite a lot of damage,” he said. “To the untrained eye it doesn’t look like a lot of damage but we’ve seen a lot of slide on the canal bank and those have to be repaired.”

Lazarus estimates the canals have sustained approximately $5 million dollars in damages. He said they will be applying to the province for disaster assistance next week.

In an ordinary year, Lazarus said farmers would already be able to access water for their fields.

“Generally, we start putting water in the canal around the 23rd of April,” he said.

After a week of inspections, Lazarus explained they have identified many areas of the canals that are in need of repair.

“This week we will be making make-shift or quick repairs,” he said. “Leaving the moderately damaged areas until fall.”

In an ordinary year, Lazarus said farmers would already be able to access water for their fields.

“Generally, we start putting water in the canal around the 23rd of April,” he said.

St. Mary’s River Irrigation District services over 2000 irrigators in Southern Alberta.