LNID Water User Update: February 2026

LNID would like to provide an overall operational update.

WATER SUPPLY UPDATE

LNID monitors snow pillow and District water reservoir information maintained by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and shared weekly by the Water Infrastructure and Operations Branch (WIOB) of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI).

Snow Pillows:

Gardiner Creek, Lost Creek South, and South Racehorse Creek snow pillow accumulations track above the median for this time of year.

Oldman Reservoir: 65.8% of full supply level (FSL)

LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN HEADWORKS (LNH) CANAL UPGRADES:

AGI provided LNID a progress update on the LNH Canal upgrades, which include canal liner repairs, a groundwater drain, and a turnout before the flume over Oldman River. Construction progress details can be found under Notices on LNID’s website homepage.

AGI anticipates the repairs will be completed and canal functional by March 31, 2026 with subsequent site-cleanup completed by May 31, 2026.

LNID CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Progress continues to be made on the Lateral A20 Pipeline Project south of Highway 519 near Granum, with approximately 7.6km installed of the 7.7km pipeline.

Project Highlight: Successful HDPE Z-Drop Installation

Pipeline connection to the existing concrete headwall and significant elevation change at a Range Road crossing posed a unique set of challenges for a portion of the Lateral A20 Pipeline project. The design needed to account for elevation considerations and road traffic loads, while the installation required a safe traffic detour and connection to a concrete headwall structure. LNID staff successfully installed a HDPE Z-drop (pictured) to manage the pipeline design requirements, working with AGI, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, and the M.D. of Willow Creek to establish a safe traffic detour route during installation.

ADMINISTRATION UPDATES

Board Elections: Electoral Division 2 and Electoral Division 4

Nominations for Electoral Division 2 (Martin Van Diemen) and Electoral Division 4 (Calvin Konynenbelt) close 4:00pm Friday, April 10, 2026. Nomination forms are available on the website and at the Office.

Martin Van Diemen, current LNID Vice Chair, is retiring from the LNID Board and welcomes interest from new candidates to represent irrigators in Electoral Division 2. LNID would like to thank Martin for his dedication, leadership, and many contributions over his 18 years of service. He has made an enduring impact on LNID and his presence will be sincerely missed.

The election date is set for Thursday, May 7, 2026, if one is required.

For additional information on the nomination and/or election processes, please contact the Office.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 1:30pm at the Picture Butte Community Centre. The 2025 Annual Report will be available on the website in April 2026.

If you have any questions about any the above information, do not hesitate to contact the Office at 403-327-3302.

LNID Board of Directors and Staff