2023 WATER USE – IMPORTANT UPDATES

Water Update - September 05, 2023

Reservoir Status update – Sept 5, 2023

Reservoir Normal Winter Volume
(Acre-Feet)
Current Volume
(Acre-Feet)
Difference
(Acre-Feet)
Lake Newell 129,000 58,500 (70,500)
Rolling Hills 16,300 16,700 400
Tilley ‘B’ 8,700 9,500 800
Snake Lake 9,600 2,650 (6,950)
Crawling Valley 69,400 57,800 (11,600)
Total 233,000 145,150 (87,850)

Presently, the main reservoir levels in the EID are at an 87,850 acre-foot deficit when compared to normal winter levels.

It is possible that by the water shut down date these same reservoirs will be at a defecit of 100,000 acre-feet. With predicted diversions being in the 800 cfs range for the foreseeable future and into the fall, it would take approximately 60 days to fill these reservoirs back to their normal winter range from the date of irrigation shut-off.

In preparation for the 2024 water season, the shut off date for irrigation is currently set for September 25, 2023; with the system maintaining minimum flows that may be needed for stock watering and filling dugouts until October 5, 2023. September 25th is approximately 2 weeks earlier than the typical irrigation shut down date and will provide additional fall reservoir filling time to help ensure reservoirs are brought back to a more secure level in the event of early winter conditions.

The District intends to continue diversions until normal winter reservoir levels are met, hopefully some time in the latter half of November, unless the winter weather requires the District to stop diversions, whichever is sooner.

Priority for filling:

  1. Lake Newell Reservoir – Approximate winter level target date – November 10th
  2. Snake Lake Reservoir – Approximate winter level target date – November 17th
  3. Crawling Valley Reservoir – Approximate winter level target date – November 24th

Water Update - September 01, 2023

Please Note: Fall Water Conservation.

The Government of Alberta department of Agriculture and Irrigation has requested all irrigation districts to conduct fall operations with the spirit of water conservation:

  • this includes minimizing post-harvest irrigation of unseeded acres and where possible, not using your full water allocation if it is not required on your farm this season.

Please fill dugouts now and top up before October 5, 2023.

Contact the EID at 403-362-1400 if you have any questions.

Click here to view the letter from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.

Water Update - August 22, 2023

Please Note: Early water shut down date!

All irrigation, including farmyards and acreages, will cease on September 25th.

A minimum flow in canals and pipelines will be maintained until October 5th for cattle and pond filling needs.

Municipal residents are encouraged to manage their outdoor water requirements on a similar timeline.

All diversion after October 5th will be directed to District reservoirs to begin restoring the reservoirs to normal winter levels for the 2024 irrigation season.

Please contact the EID at 403-362-1400 if you have any questions.

Click here for more information.

Water Update - July 26, 2023

Thank You to All Water Users For Your Conservation Efforts.

Click here for more information.

Water Update - July 19, 2023

In assessment of current levels of EID reservoirs and river flows, it is projected that there is sufficient water to meet demands within the second half of the irrigation season and to supply an increase to the maximum limits. Due to this, the limit for farm irrigation has been raised to 18” for areas off-river and below Lake Newell Reservoir, and 21” for areas under Crawling Valley Reservoir for the remainder of the irrigation season. Terminable acre parcels are permitted to irrigate but will be the first to be shut off if a shortage occurs. Irrigators are to contact Brent Kroschel at 403-363-5606 or their Divisional Superintendent for more information.

Irrigators are reminded that always communicating ON and OFF orders with their Water Operator is REQUIRED. Poor communication results in wasteful operations and this will reduce the amount of water available.

If you want to transfer volumes of water between parcels, you must fill out an application form at the EID Office to gain approval prior to transferring (please refer to the NOTICE for additional details).

Irrigators and all other water users are encouraged to continue to manage water needs wisely.


Water Update - July 07, 2023

The EID has received adequate river flows to meet off-river acre demand and supplement reservoirs since the last update. Due to this, the limit for farm irrigation has been raised to 16” for areas off-river and below Lake Newell Reservoir, and 19” for areas under Crawling Valley Reservoir for the remainder of the irrigation season. Terminable acre parcels are also now permitted to irrigate but will be the first to be shut off if a shortage occurs. Irrigators are to contact Brent Kroschel at 403-363-5606 or their Divisional Superintendent for more information.


Water Update - June 28, 2023

Because of recent rainfall out west and a subsequent increase in reservoir storage levels, the limit on farm irrigation has been raised to 15” for the areas off-river and below Lake Newell Reservoir. The limit on farm irrigation for areas under Crawling Valley Reservoir has been raised to 18”. River supplied areas, including those under Snake Lake Reservoir, could still see shortages and rotations if river flows continue to drop. Irrigators are to contact Brent Kroschel at 403-363-5606 or their Divisional Superintendent for more information.


Water Update - June 21, 2023

The irrigation limit has been increased from 12” to 13” for the remainder of the irrigation season; acres supported by Crawling Valley Reservoir have been increased from 16” to 17”. Current river flows have improved and will allow us to serve all areas supplied directly from the river right now. If/when river flows decrease, off-river areas could later experience rotations and shortages, including areas below Snake Lake Reservoir. Dependent on your own water management decisions, we encourage all irrigators to take advantage of the present favorable river conditions, especially those supplied directly by the river. If you’re unsure if you are in a river supplied area or reservoir supplied area, or have any other questions, please contact your Divisional Superintendent or Brent Kroschel, Operations Manager for more details. Please check this page for updates.


Water Update - June 13, 2023

A reduced maximum water limit per acre has been imposed for irrigators. All other water users are also asked to manage their water needs wisely (i.e. identify where water use can be reduced or eliminated and carry out these measures directly). The EID acknowledges the cooperation of all stakeholders and is appreciative of the efforts. For any enquiries, please contact:

  • Brent Kroschel, Operations Manager (403) 363-5606
  • Scott Beddows – North Division Superintendent (403) 363-5607
  • Don Syvret – South Division Superintendent (403) 363-5604; or
  • Ivan Friesen, General Manager (403) 363-5612
Click HERE to view the NOTICE with additional details.

Click HERE to download a Consent Letter to transfer water from a rented parcel.

To view river flows on the Alberta River Basin App, Click HERE

(Sites applicable to the EID: Calgary, Elbow, Highwood, Carseland and Bassano.)


Water Usage Viewing Web App.

To track your on-farm water usage, please sign up for our IRMA web app.
The IRMA sign-up form can be downloaded by clicking this LINK.
Email the comlpleted application form to: mark.porter@eid.ca




Eastern Irrigation District

Board Meetings

  • September 26, 2023
  • October 24, 2023
  • November 28, 2023


What is Irrigation Water?

Irrigation water is raw water that is suitable for:

  • irrigating crops
  • watering lawns
  • watering trees
  • watering gardens

Irrigation water is not potable water.


Important Information

2023 Water Shutdown

Please see the news page for more information on the 2023 early water shut down.

Click here for the news/ads page, or select News/Ads from the menu above


Please check the News/Ads page for important information!



Seasonal Pesticide Program

EID will begin its seasonal pesticide program including the use of Vanquish and Vision Max pesticides on May 15th, 2023.



ATTENTION ICE FISHERMAN

Please be advised that May 1 of every year is the deadline to remove ice fishing shelters from Eastern Irrigation District owned land.

Also a reminder that as per the current fishing regulations you are required to identify your ice fishing shack with your WiN number OR Name and Phone number.

If you have questions please contact Eastern Irrigation District at 403-362-1400. Thank you for your co-operation!


Contact Us

Eastern Irrigation District.
550 Industrial Road West
Box 128
Brooks, Alberta, Canada, T1R 1B2
Phone: 403-362-1400 | Email: eid(at)eid.ca


Partners in Habitat Development

To apply for a Partners in Habitat Development Project, click the following link to view the application form/brochure:

Brochure/Application Form