Office Hours: 8:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:30pm Monday through Friday
403-654-2111
704 - 7 Ave. N.
PO Box 140 Vauxhall, AB T0K 2K0
Office Hours: 8:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:30pm Monday through Friday
PO Box 140 Vauxhall, AB T0K 2K0
The following is a complete list of all projects included in the Bow River Irrigation District under this program. There are seven modernization projects and one reservoir project. Funding for these projects is through a 30% Government of Alberta grant, 20% up front from the District with the remaining 50% as a long term low interest loan to the District from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Project Locations Map - Click to enlarge
Description
This project includes two new pipelines to improve the efficiency of water delivery to approximately 3200 acres on 21 parcels of land irrigated from Drain A (Expanse Coulee). The B-5-C pipeline will be a closed pipeline serving 11 parcels and will eliminate all spill associated with those parcels. The Drain B pipeline will supply water to Drain B just above its confluence with Drain A for the other ten parcels. This will be a much more efficient system, as most of the water for all 21 parcels is currently supplied using our Expanse Coulee wasteway on the main canal to fill Grantham Lakes, which overflows into Drain A via a lengthy system of drains, which is very inefficient. This will also restore our ability to use the full wasteway capacity in emergency situations, protecting the main canal from potentially disastrous surge flows.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2020/2021 and is now in use with only very minor work remaining to complete as of May 1, 2021. Work was completed on time.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $2,400,000. The final cost will be lower.
Description
This channel is approximately 1 km long, and supplies water for the irrigation of approximately 1200 acres on eight parcels of land. The channel is in poor condition with severely eroded banks, and there is significant seepage impacting adjacent farmland. The channel will be replaced with a pipeline to eliminate these problems and ensure the secure supply of water to these lands.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2020/2021 and is now in use with only very minor work remaining to complete as of May 1, 2021. Work was completed on time.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $360,000. The final cost will be slightly lower.
Description
This project includes modernization of approximately 13 km of the Lomond Lateral, which is the main canal for the west block of the BRID. Construction will occur beginning in October 2020 and be completed by the spring of 2021. The inside slopes of the canal will be re-graded to flatter, stabler slopes and protected with gravel armor. Removal of silt deposits will restore the capacity of the canal to allow sufficient water to be delivered, including filling Badger Reservoir. Along with canal earthwork a new automated check structure will be constructed to improve operational efficiencies, which will result in water savings. This reach of canal conveys water to approximately 30,000 acres of irrigated land further downstream in the system.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2021/2022 and is now in operation, but minor work will continue into the summer of 2022. Key work items were completed on time.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $9,770,000. The final cost will be significantly lower.
Description
This is an open canal which has two small pipelines already served from it. The canal serves over 2100 acres on 16 parcels, and water is currently lost to seepage, evaporation, and spill. The canal will be replaced with a closed pipeline which will tie into the existing pipelines, eliminating all water losses. The pipeline inlet will be moved to the main canal above Scope Reservoir, instead of the location of the existing canal inlet on the outlet canal from the reservoir, which will increase the grade and reduce the cost of the pipeline. A new check structure will be constructed on the main canal to provide the required water level for the pipeline, and this structure will replace the existing reservoir inlet structure, which is in poor condition.
Schedule
This project is planned for construction beginning in October 2021 with completion in the spring of 2022.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $3,250,000
Description
This is a small canal serving approximately 580 acres on four parcels of land. The grade is steep, and it will be replaced with a closed pipeline, eliminating all water losses.
Schedule
This project is planned for construction beginning in October 2021 with completion in the spring of 2022.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $400,000
Description
This is an open concrete lined canal which has two small pipelines already served from it. Significant portions of the concrete liner are badly deteriorated, causing water losses due to seepage. The canal serves nearly 1800 acres on 13 parcels, and spill is significant. The canal will be replaced with a closed pipeline which will tie into the existing pipelines, eliminating all water losses.
Schedule
This project is planned for construction beginning in October 2021 with completion in the spring of 2022.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $2,700,000
Description
Lateral B and its sub-laterals, designated as K-1 through K-11, serve over 19,300 acres of irrigated land on over 140 parcels. There are currently 13 relatively small pipelines included within this system, but the vast majority is still open canal. This is an inefficient system to operate, and losses to spill, seepage, and evaporation are high. This project will replace the entire system with closed pipelines with inlets on the main canal, which will eliminate water losses. Three large pipelines will originate on the main canal and will tie into all the existing smaller pipelines in the system.
Schedule
The first pipeline will be installed in the 2022/2023 construction season, the second one in the 2023/2024 construction season, ands the third one in the 2024/2025 construction season.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $25,000,000
Description
This project will include a new reservoir on the BRID main canal in TWP 13 -RG 18 – W4M approximately 10 km SE of Enchant. In addition to increasing water storage, this reservoir will provide a vital balancing function on our main canal to reduce spill. The reservoir capacity will be approximately 20,000 acre feet (24 million cubic metres), with a maximum depth of approximately 9 metres and a flooded area of approximately 500 hectares.
Engineering and environmental studies are underway, as well as discussions with affected landowners. The current land use within the reservoir footprint is agriculture, with all land privately owned.
Although the reservoir will function primarily for irrigation it should provide an excellent sport fishery, and day-use will be accommodated.
Schedule
Construction will begin once the design is completed, the land is acquired, all regulatory requirements are met and approvals are received, which will hopefully be no later than early 2023. Completion of the project will take up to two years once construction commences.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $59,100,000