Officials are expecting lower allocations of water this summer in southern Alberta. (Photo: Igor Borisenko | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Lower water allocations likely in parts of southern Alberta this summer

Mar 18, 2024 | 9:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Although there have been slight improvements in recent weeks, officials say we are still looking at a pretty dry summer.

The St. Mary’s River Irrigation District (SMRID) says the latest water supply update from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation on March 11, 2024, indicates the region is on course for a below-average water allocation for the 2024 irrigation season.

“The Headworks reservoirs comprised of the Waterton, St. Mary and Milk River Ridge reservoirs, has increased slightly since our last update, and now contains a storage level of 147,000 acre-feet,” says the SMRID.

They report that the supply of water is around 48 per cent of its winter storage target for the entire St. Mary Project, currently at 292,000 acre-feet.

Water supply levels in the St. Mary River Irrigation District, as of March 11, 2024. (Photo: SMRID)

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It is forecast that the preliminary water allocation will be eight inches at the farm gate to start this year’s irrigation season.

Officials are working to review draft revisions for water sharing with the six irrigation districts located along the Southern Tributaries.

The water allocation will be finalized at the SMRID annual general meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge.

The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation is also set to speak about the crop insurance program for the 2024 crop year.

The full water supply report can be found on the SMRID website.

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