Officials are warning local farmers to prepare for a dry season in 2024 with potential reductions in water supplies. (Photo: Igor Borisenko | Dreamstime.com)

By Brian Konrad

Potential water reductions for local farms in 2024

Dec 22, 2023 | 9:48 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Producers in the St. Mary River Irrigation District are being advised that 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 said farmers should consider their water allocations as they make their cropping plans for the spring.

The board explained that the current water supply levels in all SMRID reservoirs are 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.

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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 states the extreme variability of local weather patterns.

The recalled in 2001/2002 when there were similar levels of drought and low water supplies, but one heavy rainfall even in June of 2002 replenished the system.

The board of directors will meet with Alberta Environment and Protected Aras in early January to being 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.

More details are available on the SMRID website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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