Research Projects
In Spring 2020, WSA started the Demonstration and Research Projects Initiative. This partnership with agricultural producers and 11 research partners was launched to help ensure the Stewardship Policy is evidence-based, while also reflecting the realities of Saskatchewan’s landscape. This wide-scale project tested innovative water management solutions, revealing potential challenges and opportunities for success.
Results from the Demonstration and Research Projects
The Demonstration and Research Projects Initiative resulted in several technical reports prepared by third-party consultants, provided below.
Threshold analysis – This project investigated the economic and environmental outcomes (flooding, water quality, and habitat/wildlife) of different wetland retention scenarios.
Technical Reports:
- Wetland Threshold. This study modelled flooding, water quality, groundwater, and habitat outcomes, at various levels of wetland drainage.
- Economic and agronomic assessment of demo projects. This study investigated yield from drained wetlands using data from the Black Soil Zone and in the Dark Brown Soil Zone.
- Economic analysis of various levels of wetland drainage. The economic modelling was conducted by looking at the ecosystem services provided by wetlands at three levels: (a) private farm level; (b) agricultural sector; and (c) public sector implications.
Testing mitigation tools in drainage projects. This component tested the feasibility and practicality of various mitigation tools (e.g., flow controls, wetland retention, using drained water for irrigation).
- Hydrological changes from agricultural drainage: Demonstration projects in Southern Saskatchewan.
Results from projects 4 and 5 showed drainage projects which retained wetlands/water and had flow controls, reduced flows and water quality impact compared to full drainage.
- Impacts of drainage on rural municipality infrastructure. Results showed that wetland retention and flow controls protect infrastructure.
- Wildlife effects assessment of a proposed wetland impact mitigation policy. Field surveys of retained wetlands confirmed the presence of most bird species that would be expected.
- COMING SOON: Opportunity and Economics of Opportunistic Irrigation in Saskatchewan to Manage Impacts of Agricultural Drainage. This analysis showed that opportunistic irrigation (using water drained from a wetland for irrigation) can be profitable and opportunity exists for more development in Saskatchewan.
- Wetland classification with imagery, area and volume in Saskatchewan. Results showed that smaller and less permanent wetlands comprise a significant amount of the wetland storage and area.
- Measuring the amount of carbon in Saskatchewan wetland soils. WSA has partnered with the University of Saskatchewan for a research project that measured the base carbon values in wetland soils (across soil zones) and changes in these values with land use changes, including draining or farming of wetland. Here are links to an article from the University of Saskatchewan featuring this project: Measuring the amount of carbon in Saskatchewan wetland soils: USask study – News – University of Saskatchewan and to a published paper resulting from the study: Frontiers | Soil carbon dynamics in drained prairie pothole wetlands (frontiersin.org).
- Landowners’ Experiences of WSA’s Demonstration and Research Projects. This project documented the experiences of landowners who participated in the Demonstration and Research Projects Initiative, to understand their experiences with WSA’s drainage approval process and the mitigation tools applied in their drainage projects.
Location of Drainage Demonstration Projects (blue dots)
The research projects helped to inform the creation of the Stewardship Policy. Projects are taking place in a variety of regions including Redvers, Yorkton, Melfort, Langham and Regina. With Saskatchewan’s vast terrain there is no one-size fits all approach, which is why it is important to study all regions.
To learn more about some of the projects, click the links from the list below.
WSA worked with a number of partners to obtain the information needed to form the Stewardship Policy, focusing on a balanced approach, including:
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW)
SAW is providing Qualified Persons (QP) services for demonstration projects. Qualified Persons are consultants who help farmers prepare applications for Agricultural Water Management project approvals.
Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA)
SHCA is evaluating the impact of drainage on Rural Municipality (RM) infrastructure. This will involve examining the projected flows to determine the implications for downstream and upstream RM infrastructure in the demonstration projects
Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA)
SIPA is coordinating engineering services for projects with an irrigation component. Engineering services may include detailed evaluations, and designs and cost projections.
SIPA is also examining the economics and practical aspects of using irrigation to manage flooding and water quality impacts at the provincial scale.
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF)
SWF will examine changes in the quality or quantity of wetlands and upland habitat and wildlife response in the demonstration projects.
Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI)
PAMI is researching the agronomic and economic benefits of agricultural water management in the demonstration projects by examining crop yields, soil salinity and field operation efficiency.
Discovery Farm (Glacier Farm Media)
Discovery Farm is implementing a multi-year research and demonstration project at the Ag in Motion Discovery Farm site to investigate the effectiveness of crop residue (plant material remaining after harvesting such as stalks, roots), fertility management, and cover crops to reduce downstream. See news release here.
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA)
SSGA is examining the effectiveness of cocktail cover crops to reduce downstream flows and nutrient loading from wetland drainage. Cover crops are commonly used to suppress weeds, manage soil erosion, help build and improve soil fertility and quality, control diseases and pests, and promote biodiversity.
Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA)
SSCA is examining fertilizer management, identifying separate areas of each field that will receive different rates of nutrients. It is expected this will reduce nutrient loading from wetlands drainage and improve fertilizer efficiency.
Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC)
SRC is evaluating how water management practices in demonstration projects such as wetland retention and flow controls are protecting water quality and neighbors from downstream flooding.
Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association (SCDA)
SCDA is evaluating the potential downstream flooding, water quality and habitat loss impacts from various levels of water retention. Saskatchewan Research Council is conducting a complementary economic study examining how the provincial scale implications of various levels of water retention.