SASKATCHEWAN

Water Security Agency

Fact Sheets

Dig deeper into topics associated with the Agricultural Water Management Strategy. Below you will find fact sheets that provide more information about how to handle water and drainage on agricultural land.

If you have further questions, please reach out to Client Services at client.service@wsask.ca or call 866.727.5420.


Artificial Blockages in Natural Waterways

Landowners can construct structures to divert or hold back water in natural watercourses. Learn about which structures need approval from the Water Security Agency and which ones do not.  

Beaver Dam Removal

Beaver dams can cause flooding and other drainage-related problems. Learn about environmentally friendly practices to remove a beaver dam and if the removal requires an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit. 

C&D Development Guide

This guide provides landowners with the benefits of developing a Conservation and Development Area and the steps to develop one. 


Channel Clearing, Channelization and Ditch Maintenance

Learn more about the best practices for removing vegetation from water bodies and the approvals you will need to do the work. 

Drainage Approvals: A Business Asset for a Growing Industry

If you are a landowner who has drainage on your land, then you most likely need a drainage approval. Drainage approvals provide security, reduce risk, and protect downstream neighbours from drainage related impacts. 

How to Form a C&D

Establishing a Conservation and Development Area (C&D) can provide a means for landowners to work together in responding to water management issues, or to resolve soil erosion concerns. 


How to Form a Watershed Association

Forming a Watershed Association provides a way for agencies to work together on issues such as flooding, and irrigation. 

Land Control Requirements for Drainage

WSA requires that drainage approval holders maintain land control for any affected land that they do not own. Land control is the right of the approval holder to drain from, across, or onto a parcel of land owned by another, or through ditches downstream.   

Qualified Persons for Drainage Approvals

Most drainage projects, except for those with less than one quarter section of drainage, will require a Qualified Person (QP) to prepare the application for drainage approval. 


Request for Assistance

The Request for Assistance (RFA) process is intended to assist individuals who are experiencing water management issues related to other landowners’ drainage works. 

Responsible Drainage in the Quill Lakes

This document provides options for responsible drainage in the Quill Lakes Basin. 

RMs and Drainage Approvals

Rural municipalities (RMs) own lands and administer roads on the rural landscape and are often involved in and interact with drainage projects. 


What is Drainage?

Drainage is any action taken or intended for the removal or lessening of the amount of water from land, and includes the deepening, straightening, widening and diversion of the course of a stream, creek, or other watercourse, as well as the construction of dykes. 

What is the Agricultural Water Management Strategy?

Since September 2015, the Water Security Agency has been implementing the Agricultural Water Management Strategy. New regulations, legislation and policies have been implemented to support responsible drainage. 

Who Does What? Agricultural Water Management in Saskatchewan

 Saskatchewan has several types of groups involved in the management of water. The type of group formed depends on its objectives and its membership.