Water Allocation Update: 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:

The Oldman Reservoir is at 91% of full supply volume and Keho Reservoir is at 96% of full supply volume. Assuming full use of the 11” allocation, including that already used in LNID this year, adding a low projected watershed yield (inflow to Oldman Reservoir) similar to 2023 to the current reservoir storage volume, and meeting projected downstream flow requirements for other system demands in our basin, this would result in an end-of-season Oldman Reservoir volume of nearly 43%, on track to be significantly ahead of the 28% seen at the end of 2023.

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 June 25, 2024