SMRID increases irrigation water allocation as reservoir levels remain strong

Jul 30, 2026 | 1:23 PM

The St. Mary River Irrigation District has increased its water allocation for the remainder of the 2026 growing season after updated forecasts showed water supplies remain stable despite rising demand.

The district’s board of directors has approved an increase to 17 inches of water at the farm gate, effective immediately, based on the latest supply and demand outlook from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.

It’s a sizeable increase from recent years and up from the 14 inches announced in March.

The irrigation district had a 12-inch allocation in 2025, and an eight-inch allocation in 2024, which was later raised to nine inches.

Recent hot weather has significantly increased irrigation demand after wetter conditions in June reduced early-season watering needs.

GreenFox

Why waiting to replace your windows and doors could cost you more than you think

Jul 22, 2026

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

Even so, the district says cumulative water use remains within its historical range for this point in the season, at about 330,000 acre-feet.

Reservoir storage also remains healthy.

The St. Mary Headworks system, which includes the Waterton, St. Mary and Ridge reservoirs, is at 88 per cent of full irrigation storage, holding about 423,200 acre-feet of water.

SMRID’s reservoirs are at 80 per cent of full storage, containing approximately 261,100 acre-feet, with all reservoirs remaining within normal operating levels.

The district says current water supply forecasts support the increased allocation, and it will continue to monitor conditions throughout the growing season.

The next irrigation update is scheduled for Aug. 28.

The SMRID is the largest Irrigation District in Canada and North America, with over 2,000 km of canals and pipelines spanning from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat and serving 518,000 acres.

by Jesse Gill

SMRID increases irrigation water allocation as reservoir levels remain strong

What's Happening