The Government of Alberta has provided updates on several irrigation projects in southern Alberta. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

$19 million worth of irrigation projects underway in southern Alberta

Feb 7, 2025 | 11:22 AM

The Government of Alberta says several initiatives are underway to improve the region’s irrigation systems.

The 2024 provincial budget included $19 million in funding for the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program, which helps irrigation districts to modernize infrastructure.

The goal is to allow water to efficiently and reliably be delivered to communities and those in agriculture and food processing.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson says the government looks to maximize water use efficiency to help farmers boost yields, crop diversity and quality.

“By increasing funding for irrigation infrastructure, we support Alberta’s economy and enhance resilience against droughts and dry conditions, ensuring a stable agricultural future. These investments are vital for both local and global food security,” says Sigurdson.

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One of the local projects involves major upgrades to the Chin Chute, which conveys irrigated water from the Milk River Ridge Reservoir, south of Raymond. It is set to be completed this spring.

St. Mary River Irrigation District G.M. David Westwood says he is grateful for the province announcing an increase in funding, allowing this work to wrap up sooner than expected.

“This is a critical component of the infrastructure in the St. Mary irrigation project. Chin reservoir supports up to 400,000 acres of agriculture irrigation and water for many communities downstream of Chin,” says Westwood.

The projects that are funded under the 2024 program include:

• Bow River Irrigation District – BK-2-2 (Vauxhall) Pipeline
  • Replacing four kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $1,705,000
• Bow River Irrigation District – BK-2 (Vauxhall) Pipeline
  • Replacing 16.7 kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $2,772,000
• Eastern Irrigation District – West Bantry Canal – Armour
  • Add armour to upgrade 8.6 kilometres of existing earth canal
  • Estimated cost of $1,300,000
• Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District – Lateral A3 Pipeline
  • Replacing 1.6 kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $819,000
• Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District – Lateral 61C Pipeline
  • Replacing 6.6 kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $7,500,000
• Magrath Irrigation District – Miller Pipeline
  • Replacing three kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $701,000
• Raymond Irrigation District – New Dayton CPR Crossing
  • Replace two aging culverts under a railway crossing
  • Estimated cost of $250,000
• Raymond Irrigation District – Aerial Photos
  • To assist with future and ongoing planning
  • Estimated cost of $5,000
• Raymond Irrigation District – 9 Mile Phase 4
  • Replacing two open channel canals totalling 11.5 kilometres with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $1,905,000
• St. Mary River Irrigation District & Raymond Irrigation District – Chin Chute Rehabilitation
  • Replace aging spillway structure and increase flowrate capacity
  • Estimated cost of $27,097,432
• Southwest Irrigation District – Upper Lateral K Pipeline
  • Replacing 2.3 kilometres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $1,507,000
• United Irrigation District – Lateral F Phase 2
  • Replacing 700 metres of open channel canal with buried pipeline
  • Estimated cost of $788,000
• Western Irrigation District – Secondary C Controls
  • Replacing four aging structures, including upgrades and automation
  • Estimated cost of $1,066,000
• Western Irrigation District – Secondary C Inline Storage
  • Investigation and feasibility study for four strategic water storage sites
  • Estimated cost of $634,000

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