SASK WATER’S STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION

Abstract

Sask Water has been involved in the development of pipeline irrigation systems for the past 7 years and have recognized the potential problems which can arise when irrigation is introduced to a dry land setting. By working with local water user associations Sask Water has developed projects which conserve water, avoid social disruptions and leakage associated with canals and minimize return flows.The Luck Lake Irrigation Project constructed by Sask Water under the Canada Saskatchewan Subsidiary Agreement on Irrigation Based Economic Development is an example of Sask Water’s irrigation project approach. Cochrane Lavalin Incorporated (CLI) acted as design engineers and carried out project management and construction management on the project which will ultimately serve 20 000 hectares from Lake Diefenbaker with a pressurized pipeline system. The project has been designed to accommodate the present and future irrigation users as well as other interested water users in the area such as a 2400 ha Heritage Marsh built and operated by Ducks Unlimited Canada. By making the project multi-purpose in nature the benefits of the capital investment in pump stations works can be spread to more users.