FAQ – Water Allocation for Irrigation from Duncairn Reservoir

Why is the province increasing irrigation capacity from the Duncairn Reservoir?

Irrigation expansion is an important building block for regional economic growth and is an important part of our commitment to add 85,000 new irrigation acres in Saskatchewan by 2030.
WSA completed a 2023 assessment for Swift Current Creek-Rush Lake system and found 4,000 acre-feet of unused water that could be made available for food production by expanding irrigation development.
WSA is currently evaluating how much water identified in this study should be released for irrigation expansion.
This demonstrates the province’s commitment to fostering resilience against drought and supporting agricultural expansion in the region.

How did the government identify an additional 4000 acre-feet of unused allocation?

In 2023, WSA assessed the Swift Current Creek-Rush Lake system to determine allocation for irrigation development.
The assessment found unused allocation, that could be utilized for irrigation development without modifying the current operating guidelines.

The updated model results demonstrate that there is unused allocation amounting to 4,000 acre-feet, while ensuring the continued availability for other users.

The Swift Current Creek-Rush Lake system has been frozen for over 40 years, what has changed?

WSA used updated modeling technology (Water Resource Management Model) and 98 years of flow data. This is a strong data set including extended periods of both wet and dry conditions.
When the basin was frozen in 1981 this technology did not exist, and the period of flow data was not as comprehensive.
The same methodology is applied across Alberta and Saskatchewan to determine water supply.

How will you prioritize projects?

To ensure the limited water supply is allocated fairly and efficiently and prioritized accurately, the Water Security Agency and Ministry of Agriculture are working together to develop a scoring matrix that prioritizes applications based on efficient use of water and land suitability.
A similar scoring matrix has being tested for other irrigation projects in the province (i.e., Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply System [SSEWSS]).

What criteria will you measure?

WSA and the Ministry of Agriculture are developing a scoring matrix that prioritizes applications based on location, source of water, efficient use of infrastructure and quality of land. It will be specific to the SCCW-RLS.
WSA will publish the criteria of the scoring matrix and the details of the allocation cap before accepting any new applications for water rights licenses to guarantee a fair and transparent application process.

What are the steps to receive priority project?

Priority for a project will not be assigned until allocation is formally released.

What compliance tools does WSA have to enforce overuse of water?

WSA can issue warnings, render works incapable of diverting water, and suspend or cancel a water rights licence and approval to construct.

How will WSA monitor water usage?

Irrigators will need to showcase their water usage monitoring methods to WSA, and this demonstration will be a prerequisite for obtaining their Water Rights License.
Acceptable tools for monitoring water usage may include power meter readings on pumps, flow meters, and software that provides accurate and verifiable usage data.
WSA plans implement stronger monitoring and reporting methods for current irrigators in this system, starting in 2024.

How will you determine allocation for irrigation if lake levels continue to drop because of drought?

Municipalities will be given priority during periods of shortage. Duncairn will be monitored, and irrigators will be required to shut down once lake levels reach the irrigation cut-off level.
Irrigation in this system is issued allocation with an availability of 70 per cent – meaning seven out of 10 years, they can expect their full allocation while three out of 10 years, they will receive less than their full allocation.
Municipalities, such as Swift Current, are licensed at a 100 per cent availability, meaning they are guaranteed their full allocation.

How many farmers do you anticipate will use the expanded irrigation?

It is too early to estimate the number of landowners who will be able to develop irrigation in this system. WSA expects demand will far exceed the available water from this project.

How much water is currently being used for irrigation?

There is currently around 16,000 acre-feet allocated for intensive irrigation and around 2700 acre-feet allocated for non-intensive spring backflood irrigation out of the Swift Current Creek-Rush Lake system.

Where is the current irrigation in the Swift Current Creek-Rush Lake system located?

Rush Lake Irrigation District: Approximately 5300 acres mostly intensive flood irrigation, allocated at 7,100 acre-feet.
Waldeck Irrigation District: 1600 acres of intensive flood irrigation, allocated at 2400 acre-feet.
Herbert Irrigation District: 1700 acres of pivot irrigation, allocated at 1800 acre-feet.
Private irrigation: 6700 acres of pivot and wheel moves irrigation.
There is currently only around 650 acres of irrigation directly that diverts water from the Duncairn Reservoir directly.

What water sources are included in this system that could see irrigation expansion?

Duncairn Reservoir, Highfield Reservoir, Herbert Reservoir, Swift Current Creek and the Swift Current Main Canal.
All sources in this system are supplied water from Duncairn Reservoir.

Will this impact irrigators in other regions and districts downstream?

The hydrology study factored in total usage of all current licence holders and determined that an additional 4,000 acre-feet would not impact current use.
WSA will continue to monitor water allocation very closely to ensure irrigators downstream are not impacted and continue to receive their licensed allocation of water.

Will there be infrastructure, or any other operational improvements needed for this expansion?

This development will be comprised of private irrigation projects meaning all required infrastructure will be owned by individual irrigators. Pump sites and pipelines will be required to convey water to the irrigated fields.
More stringent monitoring will be required to ensure irrigators are operating within their allocation limits. This can include technologies such as software equipped with irrigation pivots and flow metres to determine how much water is being applied.

Will Swift Current and other municipalities’ water supply be affected by this proposed project?

This proposed project will not impact the City of Swift Current’s or other municipalities’ water supply. The operating guidelines for the Duncairn Reservoir prioritize maintaining safe and reliable water for municipalities and households.
Municipalities, such as Swift Current and Herbert, are licensed at 100 percent availability, meaning they are guaranteed their full allocation.
This proposed project would not change the operating guidelines of the reservoir, meaning that water levels will fluctuate within the same range as they have historically.

When and how can landowners apply?

If allocation is approved, a publicly announced application intake period will be established, allowing all producers the opportunity to submit a form and formally express their interest in developing irrigation. The application intake period will not be announced until the project is approved in a manner that addresses all the needs of the reservoir and strikes a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.
For information on the status of available allocation or to find out how the scoring process works, they can contact the WSA’s client service unit with the Water Security Agency (sccbasinirrigation@wsask.ca or 866.727.5420).

When will allocation be determined for the additional 4,000 acre-feet?

Applicants will have to proceed through the irrigation development process, have their projects scored and prioritized through a scoring matrix before they can be provided with water allocation and approval to construct.
WSA is currently undertaking an evaluation to determine the volume of water that should be released.
Due to the timeline of this process, uptake of the allocation is expected to occur gradually over a span of a few years.

Are you considering the social and environmental impacts?

As a province, we are cognizant of the impacts to the environment and communities. With any system we are constantly monitoring and identifying opportunities to mitigate impacts.
We will continue to carefully assess the impacts of the use of the water supply to protect the environment and downstream users.
WSA’s Science and Knowledge branch is overseeing the monitoring and impacts assessments of additional irrigation in this system.
There are practical solutions available that enable us to simultaneously manage fishery-related risks and expand irrigation.
WSA is proactively engaged with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to assess and mitigate any potential risks.
This proposed project can move forward positively, balancing the sustainability of the environment and the growth of our economy.

Considering that Duncairn is designated as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, how is this being factored into the plans?

WSA has collaborated with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to determine risk.
This has provided preliminary evidence suggesting potential benefits for the migratory bird sanctuary, such as encouraging riparian and littoral vegetation.
Construction of new infrastructure to support irrigation development will be required to obtain the necessary approvals and permits that include Aquatic Habitat Protection Permits and Ministry of Environment Approval. Mitigation methods may be required depending on the specifics of the proposed project.

For more information, send your inquiries to sccbasinirrigation@wsask.ca or phone 866.727.5420.