IMPORTANT: 2025 Water Supply Update

Water Allocation

The recent rain was welcome, but we are still looking at a reduced water supply outlook compared to early Spring. The Board advises that allocation will not be increased for the remainder of the 2025 irrigation season and will remain at 14" per irrigated acre.

Although the water supply outlook from the Alberta government showed an amount suitable to maintaining a 14"/acre allocation while still maintaining a tight but manageable end target for the Oldman Reservoir, the runoff from the snowpacks did not materialize in the dam as forecasted.

The snowpack and subsequent runoff was much less than expected this spring. Even though the snowpack stations and water supply outlook from the Alberta government showed a low average

At the time of this messaging, the Oldman Reservoir is 66% full. It is important at this time to conserve water where possible. Water that is being used at this point is going to directly impact next year’s irrigation allocation. In a way, you are using next year’s water.

Important Reminder – Water Order Process

We are seeing some reaches of canal, particularly in the Turin area, experiencing shortages and surges. The most significant contributing factor is irrigators starting and stopping their irrigation without a confirmed water order from their Water Coordinator or not starting their system at the agreed time. Our operations team is then caught trying to compensate, resulting in significant fluctuations. We had canals run dry, bank overtopping, and several water users confirmed water orders having their pivots starved. This is not an acceptable level of service. We are working to make control and spill improvements and have a well-qualified new Water Coordinator dedicated to the Turin area starting on Wednesday, but we need everyone to cooperate with water orders.

It is extremely important to order water properly to ensure an efficient delivery and to limit the return flow.

• You are required to order water on and off at least 24 hours prior to taking delivery or turning off your system.

• Your Water Coordinator needs to reply, accepting your water order. If you don’t receive a reply, assume that the Water Coordinator did not receive your water order and reach out to confirm.

• It is important to take water and/or shut off your water at the agreed time for your water order.

Failure to follow proper water ordering CAN and WILL be using water that is ordered by another water user or causing excess spill to occur.