2026 WATER ALLOCATION PER IRRIGATION ACRE – 16”
August 19, 2026
The Board reviewed water allocation at their August 19th meeting and will hold the 16" per irrigated acre water allocation established in April through to the end of the 2026 irrigation season.
With current forecasts predicting a 90% chance of a strong El Niño and likelihood of low snowpack through the winter, maintaining a high end-of-season level in the Oldman Reservoir is a priority for LNID and AGI’s Water Infrastructure Operations Branch, and will help mitigate risks for the next irrigation season. LNID encourages water users to continue with a water conservation mindset, using water orders for agronomic purposes such as completing growing crops, establishing fall/winter crops, weed management, or soil reclamation. Soil moisture recharge to meet crop needs is often best managed in Spring. LNID will continue to monitor weather forecasts and snowpack levels through the winter months.
April 14, 2026
At the April 14, 2026 Board Meeting, the Board of Directors set the 2026 Water Allocation per irrigation acre at 16”.
The Board reviewed the Water Supply Outlook published by the Government of Alberta, the current Oldman Reservoir level, the current mountain snow water equivalent, allowance for typical river and other downstream use, and the risk of a drier than normal summer. They considered the operational needs of irrigators as you make informed crop selection and management decisions and estimated the actual average annual use across the district. The Board then balanced the risk to irrigators against the projected end-of-season Oldman Reservoir level for a dry, high-demand year. Using the reservoir to absorb some risk allows our irrigators an allocation with the best prospects for a productive growing season.
WATER ORDERS
A minimum 24-hour advance notice is required for both turning water on and turning water off. Water orders for the next day must be received the day before no later than 10:00AM.
Contact your Water Coordinator by text message, email, or phone call to place your water order with the following information:
- Your name;
- Legal Land Description;
- on/off date;
- Preferred method of return communication (text/email/phone).
Your Water Coordinator will respond confirming they have received your water order. Water orders are incomplete until confirmation is received.
Water Coordinator Divisions and contact information can be found here.