LNID Main Office

2821 - 18 Avenue North
Lethbridge, AB T1H 6T5

8:00am - 12:15pm and
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Monday - Friday

Next office closure
Monday, Aug 5, 2024
Heritage Day

Contact Us

(403) 327-3302

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Important Notices

2024 Water Allocation

At the July 23, 2024 Board Meeting the LNID Board of Directors reviewed the current water supply of the Oldman and Keho Reservoirs as well as crop demands, and decided to hold the water allocation at 11” per irrigation acre.

The Oldman Reservoir is at 83.94% of full supply volume, and Keho Reservoir is at 88.74% of full supply volume. The Oldman Reservoir was filled to 95% on July 9, 2024 before dropping due to increased demand. The inflow into the Oldman Reservoir appears to be similar to 2023’s flow rate at this time of year. This puts the Oldman Reservoir on target to end the year at a minimum of 42.6% of full supply volume, which is significantly higher than the 28% at the end of 2023.

The Board will continue to closely monitor the Water Supply Forecast for the irrigation season and revisit water allocation the week of August 5, 2024.

Allocation Transfers can be applied for at the LNID Office or with your Water District Coordinator. There is no charge for these transfers.

LNID thanks all irrigators for their continued cooperation in managing restricted allocations, and all those working hard to make every drop count within the Oldman South Saskatchewan River Basin.

As of July 26, 2024

2024 Board Election: Results

The LNID would like to welcome Arnie Bergen-Henengouwen to the Board of Directors, as the elected candidate for Electoral Division No. 3.

The Board of Directors is as follows:

Division 1: Peter Bos

Division 2: Martin Van Diemen

Division 3: Arnie Bergen-Henengouwen

Division 4: Calvin Konynenbelt

Division 5: Sonny Wierenga

2024 Weed Control Treatments

The Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District will be controlling broadleaf weeds along its right-of-ways for the 2024 irrigation season. The chemicals used will be Dycleer, 2,4-D Amine 600 and Amine 500 herbicides. Round-up will also be used for weed control on graveled driving banks and for reed canary grass control. This Spray program will be starting in May of 2024 and will continue to the end of the irrigation season.

Also included in this weed control program will be the treatments for aquatic weeds. To control these aquatic weeds, the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District may be treating the Canals noted below on the approximate dates shown during the 2024 irrigation season. The Canals will be treated with Magnicide H (Acrolein, Inhibited) to control the growth of aquatic weeds and algae.

Projected 2024 Aquatic Treatment Locations & Dates:

MONARCH DRAIN TP 10 RGE 23

LATERAL 61C CANAL TP 9/10 RGE 22

LATERAL 62G CANAL TP 11/12 RGE 21

LATERAL 62J CANAL TP 11 RGE 20/21

LATERAL K1 CANAL TP 11/12 RGE 19/20

LATERAL 62K CANAL TP 11 RGE 19/20

WEEKS OF:

MAY 13, 20, 27 JUNE 3, 10, 17, 24 JULY 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 AUG. 5, 12, 19, 26 SEPT. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

All sub laterals that take water from the above noted laterals may/will be affected by these treatments. Please read the supplied material if you have land by these treatments or receive water from these canals.

This weed control program is administered by licensed applicators under the approval from Alberta Environment & Protected Areas. Go to www.lnid.ca to view a detailed map of the above referenced areas and updated information.

No Hunting on District Property

The district administration would like to remind all residents and visitors that hunting of any kind is strictly prohibited on district land. This prohibition is in place to ensure the safety of all individuals on district land, as well as to protect the natural habitat and wildlife within the area.

The prohibition on hunting includes, but is not limited to, the use of firearms, bows and arrows, traps, and any other devices used to capture or kill animals. This prohibition applies to all individuals, regardless of whether they are residents of the district or not.

Any individuals found to be hunting on district land will be asked to leave the area immediately and may be subject to legal action. The district administration takes this matter very seriously and will take all necessary measures to enforce this prohibition.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all on district land. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the district administration. Thank you for your understanding and compliance.

Announcements

Producer Questionnaires from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation

July 26, 2024

Primary Producer Questionnaire
Agriculture producers are invited to fill out a survey from RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI). The information gathered through this survey is aimed to help AGI understand the challenges that primary producers are experiencing.
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Water Allocation Update: June 25, 2024

June 25, 2024

In consideration of the current water supply of the Oldman and Keho Reservoirs, forecasted watershed yield from remaining mountain runoff and annual crop demands, the Board of Directors of the LNID passed a resolution at their June 25, 2024, meeting to increase the allocation of water from 8” per irrigation acre to 11” per irrigation acre. This corresponds to a change from 45% of full allocation to 63% of full allocation. Although LNID irrigators will continue to be restricted, this increase will make a significant difference in the management of on-farm operations and help mitigate the effects of the ongoing drought. We have seen significant gains following our June 11th Board review as a result of timely rains, cool temperatures, and relatively low demand during early crop growth. On June 11th, an allocation of 8” per irrigation acre was recommended based on the available stored volume and no projected watershed yield. Good collaboration between LNID operations personnel and the Water Infrastructure and Operations Branch of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation helped capture additional runoff and effectively respond to water demands during recent rain events. The resulting gains are being shared between the 2024 growing season and enhanced reservoir storage for 2025. The decision to increase the allocation now is intended to advise irrigators as early as possible so they can make best agronomic use of the available shared water to mitigate the effects of the current drought on their operations. This approach is consistent with the considerations and principles of the 2024 Water Sharing MOU for the Oldman South Saskatchewan River Basin, of which LNID is a signatory.
The Water Supply Outlook, water use, and forecasted demands are being tracked in detail. The rationale for the 11” allocation is as follows:
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LNID Board Meets with Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson

June 12, 2024

The LNID board of directors met with Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson in Calgary on May 2, 2024. Five topics were discussed:
1. Drought in 2023 caused damages to some crops in LNID. The LNID Board advocated for compensation for these extraordinary losses. LNID irrigators experienced significant 30-40% losses in winter crops such as winter wheat, alfalfa and grass that were not fully covered by insurance. The board heard that the rationale for not sending compensation for crop losses was that for those who had insurance through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), there were only a few claims triggered in the LNID region. Although the Board was hoping for a different outcome, we are confident that the consideration of this issue received the time and attention that it deserved.
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