Project Could Offer Drought Relief for Farmers

Monday, December 30, 2024

‘A Reservoir Provides a Buffer Against Water Shortages During Drought’

By Mary Loggan

A new water project in the Red Deer River Basin could offer producers a solution when dealing with drought conditions in future.

The project could also be relevant to farmers in other Prairie regions facing uncertain precipitation levels in years to come, according to a University of Calgary professor.

The government of Alberta recently announced that it is studying the feasibility of a new reservoir between Calgary and Edmonton in response to the ongoing drought.

The project aims to provide insight into water management infrastructure options for areas suffering from insufficient rainfall. In doing this, the aim is to explore potential benefits for farmers and communities living downstream.

Potential benefits for farmers

UCalgary’s Dr. Alain Pietroniro explains this project could offer significant benefits for farmers dealing with drought issues.

“The reservoir offers many benefits to farmers, particularly in areas where water availability and rainfall are inconsistent.

“One of the primary advantages is the ability to ensure access to water during droughts, reducing reliance on rainfall. This consistent supply of water allows farmers to control irrigation schedules more effectively, typically leading to higher yields.”

Pietroniro points out one of the key issues farmers face is the risk of crop failure when drought conditions persist. With a constant water source, farmers would benefit by producing higher yields and having the option to expand on the types of crops they grow.

“A reservoir provides a buffer against water shortages, particularly during periods of drought, which increases the risk of crop failure. Irrigation reduces the dependence on rain-fed agriculture, allowing farmers to utilize their land more efficiently and predictably.”

Having a reservoir can also have many economic benefits for both producers and the economy, Pietroniro says.

“Increased agricultural productivity can also boost local economies through the creation of jobs in farming, food processing and distribution.

“We have seen this in and around the Lethbridge area as an example. None of this is free, so there needs to be enough demand from farmers to move towards investing in irrigated agriculture, pivot system and to develop the delivery system required to get water to the farm gate.”

Potential problems

Although there are potential benefits for producers, Pietroniro warns of potential negative impacts.

“All changes to river systems will have an impact. Typically, we see changes in fish and ecosystem functions when flows tend to be highly regulated. This is because we don’t see the typical ups and downs in water level and flows that would occur naturally.”

Pietroniro points out that natural habitats and biodiversity are also at risk, especially when changing an already established system.

“Reservoirs turn environments that used to be on land into water-based habitats. This can destroy riparian forests and grasslands that are often homes for wildlife.

“Water quality impacts from reservoirs can include changes to the sediment carrying capacity and changes in water temperature.

The professor explains that the cumulative effects of habitat disruption, changes in water flow, and alterations in water quality can lead to a decline in biodiversity both in the reservoir and downstream.

Could this work elsewhere?

Pietroniro says the Red Deer project could provide solutions for other drought-prominent areas across the Prairies, provided farmers want to participate.

“The province has a good sense of where it may be possible to allocate water for irrigation, and it appears that the current proposed site has some potential.”

He predicts that farmers will weigh the cost and benefit of investing in irrigation systems against more traditional rain-fed agriculture approaches.

“There are cases in Saskatchewan near Lake Diefenbaker where irrigation infrastructure was developed, but there was little uptake from local farmers.”

As drought conditions continue to worsen – with warmer winters, earlier springs, and increased heat units – across the Prairies, Pietroniro stresses that this project is “timely” and perhaps necessary to provide options for relief.

“There is no doubt that the southern parts of the province have benefited from their irrigation infrastructure and that success could be experienced further north in basins like the Red Deer River Basin.”

He says that “the end result could be a substantial benefit, as irrigation schemes can drive economic development by improving agricultural productivity, generating employment, and increasing income for farming communities.” BF