Time for more irrigation development?

Lake Diefenbaker is a jewel that other jurisdictions across North America would love to have. That huge body of water created by the Gardiner Dam back in the 60s created tremendous irrigation potential, most of which has never been realized.

There are only about 100,000 acres irrigated from the various projects around the lake. Recent studies show expansion within the existing irrigation projects and the development of two new projects could bring an additional 450,000 acres on-line.

The Westside Irrigation Project would service suitable land in a large area west and north of Outlook. The Qu'Appelle South Irrigation Project would be on the southeast end of Lake Diefenbaker in the Tugaske to Marquis area. (Click here to see a map of the Lake Diefenbaker development area).

Often, when new or renewed interest in irrigation projects begins, there is concern that there should be greater focus on conserving water - not wasting it on farmland. However, research shows that those concerns are unfounded.

Lake Diefenbaker directly or indirectly supplies 45 per cent of Saskatchewan's population with drinking water, but all the uses including irrigation account for less than 3.5 per cent of the annual flow into the lake. About the same amount is lost to evaporation each year. The rest of the water, over 90 per cent simply flows out of the province.

Even using conservative estimates, the studies show an abundance of water available from Lake Diefenbaker for all the potential new acres. It's interesting to note that southern Alberta irrigates a lot more area with a lot less water supply.

The water isn't lacking, but political will is. Development carries a very large price tag. For example, the overall cost of bringing irrigation to 450,000 new acres is estimated at over $5,000 an acre. However, within some of the existing projects, new acres could be supplied with water at a relatively low cost of approximately $50 an acre. (For more details see the December 2007 presentation by UMA's Dale Miller, Slides 20 and 30).

Of course, any new development would be done in stages and there may be ways to get private sector involvement. Still, the public investment would be substantial for new development.

Might the public will now exist to proceed?

With a new government in Saskatchewan, the long-standing equalization fight between Saskatchewan and Ottawa has evolved. And both governments are running surpluses.

The grain industry is no longer an economic basket case. Grain prices are good, land prices are rising and there are more producers asking for access to irrigation.

Producers need to make substantial investments so their interest is critical. Even when the water is delivered by pressurized pipeline, the cost to a producer to set up an irrigation system can be in the range of $100,000 per quarter section (160 acres).

Another factor is climate change, which is now being taken much more seriously. If governments want to do something to prepare for a future that scientists say will be warmer with more erratic precipitation, why not invest in proven technologies that will stabilize agricultural production and provide a base for value added industries?

The studies show the increase in agricultural production and related spin-offs could pay for the public investment in irrigation around Lake Diefenbaker. Fortunately, this isn't just about irrigation. It's water development.

Convincing political leaders and the general public will require a thorough explanation of all the benefits ranging from tourism to ecology.

For the first time in a generation, the time may be right to capitalize on the potential of Lake Diefenbaker, but it will require a huge effort to raise public awareness.