REHAB FOR SASKATCHEWAN WATER TRANSPORT SYSTEM

REHAB FOR SASKATCHEWAN WATER TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Postby Oscar » Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:18 am

REHAB FOR SASKATCHEWAN WATER TRANSPORT SYSTEM

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$10 MILLION REHABILITATION OF M1 CANAL UNDERWAY

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... anal-rehab ]

Released on November 26, 2014

Today the provincial government announced construction is underway on a $10 million rehabilitation of four kilometres of the M1 Canal and replacement of a major wasteway structure. This project will see the bed of the canal enlarged from 6.1m to 9.5m, which will help to increase the flow of water and provide a more secure source of water for users in the area.

“As Saskatchewan continues to grow, the sustainability of our water supply has become increasingly important,” Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency Scott Moe said. “By rehabilitating the M1 Canal, we’re ensuring there is a major source of water for not only the agricultural and industrial sectors, but many people in nearby towns, villages and Blackstrap Provincial Park.”

Since 2010, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $20 million in the rehabilitation of the M1 Canal. This work includes relining and enlarging portions of the canal, installing gravel armour, and replacing and retrofitting a number of concrete structures, railings and walkways. This work is part of a multi-year project to rehabilitate the entire canal.

“The M1 Canal is very important to our province and provides major benefits to not only producers but a wide variety of areas,” Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Chairman Roger Pederson said. “I applaud the government’s commitment to renewing this important piece of provincial infrastructure.”

Constructed in the 1960s, the M1 Canal is a 22.5km long water supply canal extending from Lake Diefenbaker to Broderick Reservoir near Outlook. The canal provides water for 37,000 acres of irrigation in the Saskatchewan River Irrigation District.

The M1 Canal also provides water to the Saskatoon South East Water Supply system. This system supplies water to a further 18,000 acres of irrigation, six reservoirs, towns and villages, three potash mines, 13 wetlands projects and the Blackstrap Provincial Park. -30-

For more information, contact:

Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency, Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997


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Saskatchewan close to new regulations on agriculture draining

[ http://globalnews.ca/news/1670646/saska ... -draining/ ]

Aaron Streck, Reporter By Aaron Streck Reporter November 13, 2014 5:13 pm

SASKATOON – Illegal agriculture draining has been an ongoing issue in Saskatchewan.

While it was a summer like no other for the south and southeast parts of Saskatchewan with areas still feeling the affects of massive flooding, agriculture draining is part of the problem and it’s one that’s affected all areas of the province for years.

“There’s people on all sides of the drainage discussion that are looking for clarity in the regulations that have been around for quite some time,” said Environment Minister Scott Moe.

Thursday, the Water Security Agency released it’s results from public consultations on agricultural drainage, from October 2013 to this April.

“At one point in the report it said I think 44 percent of people didn’t realize you needed a permit to conduct drainage so we intend to bring some clarity to that,” said Moe.

Of 500 participants, 87 per cent of respondents support draining water. Four-in-10 say they already drain water off their land and 28 per cent of those surveyed have been involved in a drainage complaint.

“These are exactly the questions that have been asked for 30 years now with the set of regulations we have which is why we need to update these regulations and why before we do that have a good set of consultations with all of those involved, we need to bring clarity to these regulations and we’re committed to doing that,” said Moe.

That sentiment was echoed at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) midterm convention.

“I hope the government will come out with … give the Water Security Agency some teeth to go after farmers that are illegal draining or give the RM’s the ability to mitigate some of the damage that’s going to be caused,” said RM of Argyle No.1 Coun. John Ryckman.

“If people are not following the rules it does affect their neighbours and it does put their neighbours and municipalities under duress at sometime and we just don’t think that should be happening,” said Ray Orb, SARM’s acting president.

Current drainage rules have been in place since the 1980’s. Updated regulations are expected in the spring.

Consultations with stakeholders are the next step.

The Water Security Agency released Saskatchewan’s 25 Year Water Security Plan in 2012, a key component of which was the commitment to addressing the challenges posed by unauthorized agricultural drainage.

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[ http://globalnews.ca/news/1669612/sask- ... ge-policy/ ]

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[ http://globalnews.ca/news/780710/sask-l ... -drainage/ ]

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Rehab for Saskatchewan water transport system

[ http://globalnews.ca/news/748170/rehab- ... rt-system/ ]

By Thomas Piller Global News July 29, 2013 11:16 am

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) announced nearly $5 million to rehabilitate a portion of the M1 Canal on Monday.

Originally constructed in 1966, the M1 Canal transports water to the Saskatoon South East Water Supply (SSEWS) system via the Broderick Reservoir near Outlook. The 22.5 km canal supplies 37,000 acres in the South Saskatchewan River Irrigation District.

“The M1 Canal is a vital piece of infrastructure for irrigators in the province,” said Rodger Pederson, Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Chair.

In 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture contracted an engineering consultant to develop an asset management plan for the M1. This plan recommended the complete replacement of the surface liner and water control structures as well as the rehabilitation of the canal’s culverts.

A water balance study was also completed that indicated the capacity of the M1 should be increased by 50 per cent to 28 cubic metres per second in order to address the region’s anticipated increase in water demand.

The Ministry of Agriculture has said canal rehabilitation ensures a reliable supply of water for central Saskatchewan and meets existing needs and future growth.

“Our government is committed to ensuring the economy continues to grow by providing producers, municipalities, industrial clients, parks and wildlife a reliable water supply,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, minister responsible for the WSA.

Rehabilitation work consists of enlarging a 1.3 km portion of the canal, installing a buried liner to prevent seepage and installing two concrete check structures. The project is expected to start in September and finish by summer 2014.

The SSEWS system supplies water from Lake Diefenbaker via the East Side Pump Station and M1 Canal through a system of gravity canals and reservoirs serving six communities, three potash mines, Blackstrap Provincial Park and approximately 55,000 acres. It is over 110 kilometres in length.

With an initial project completion date of 2020, the M1 Canal will be able to service municipal, agricultural and industrial development in the province for an additional 50 years.

The government of Saskatchewan has invested over $11 million into the rehabilitation of the M1 Canal since 2010.

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Related Stories

• Federal, Saskatchewan governments splash out $65 million to quench farm irrigation needs. Money to quench Saskatchewan irrigation needs on farms

[ http://globalnews.ca/news/535430/money- ... -on-farms/ ]

• Irrigation infrastructure to expand in Saskatchewan
[ http://globalnews.ca/news/232868/irriga ... katchewan/ ]


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Money to quench Saskatchewan irrigation needs on farms

[ http://globalnews.ca/news/535430/money- ... -on-farms/ ]

By Staff The Canadian Press May 4, 2013 11:19 am

REGINA – Farmers in Saskatchewan are getting help with irrigation to provide water for livestock and to spray crops.

The federal and provincial governments said Friday that they are adding $65 million over five years to the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said the program, which started in 2008, has been invaluable.

“There were almost 5,500 projects completed across the province, including 12,000 additional acres of irrigated land, and 98 per cent of those projects were on farm. The balance would be community wells,” he said.

“With the additional funding, I think we can expect great things.”

The projects include wells, dugouts, running pipelines, connections to rural water utilities, wellhead protection and well decommissions.

Dave Marit, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said his own community, the Rural Municipality of Willow Bunch, set up three community wells and two ranchers have tied in to get water for their cattle. Other ranchers have taken similar action, he said.

“We had guys that did pipelines for a mile to get water to pastures that were critical for their livelihood and to increase the herds. I think that was the important thing,” said Marit, who added the program helps develop long-term, reliable sources of water.

“They had the grass, but they didn’t have water and now we’ve done that.”

Stewart said he doesn’t expect demand for the program to let up, even though 5,500 projects have already been completed.

“There’s great demand for water improvements out there and this program makes many water improvements feasible that otherwise wouldn’t be.”

The $65 million is to be split 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.
Oscar
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