The Eastern Irrigation District has confirmed the presence of Pale Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) along the north shore of Lake Newell Reservoir. This prohibited noxious invasive plant can displace native vegetation, disrupt wetland ecosystems, and is toxic to livestock if consumed. We are working with the County of Newell to assess the affected areas and plan management actions for spring. If you suspect this plant elsewhere within the District, please take a photo and report the location through the Newell Connect app. Community awareness and reporting are vital in helping protect our irrigation system and natural areas.
For more information, visit https://countyofnewell.ab.ca/weed-control
Please note that the water shut down date for the 2025 irrigation season will be Thursday, October 9th.
Please be sure all your irrigation water needs have been met prior to this date.
Pursuant to the Maximum Water Delivery Bylaw #970 (2024) [Click HERE to view the bylaw], each operating month, and particularly in June, the stage of the Drought Plan Guidelines is to be confirmed or may be adjusted by resolution of the Board.
At the July 22, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting it was confirmed that the District’s Operating Stage will move to STAGE 1:
Maximum 24”/acre to any Point of Delivery plus option to:
Above is subject to the average delivery across the entire District not exceeding 18”/acre.
Wire theft from irrigation pivots is on the rise in rural areas. Thieves target copper wiring, causing thousands of dollars in damage and downtime.
Click HERE for more information.Environmental Impact Assessment Report and associated applications pertaining to the proposed Snake Lake Reservoir Expansion Project. Snake Lake Reservoir is an off-stream irrigation storage facility originally constructed from 1995 to 1997. The existing reservoir is located in the County of Newell within Townships 19 and 20, Ranges 16 and 17, W4M. The Snake Lake Reservoir Expansion Project (the Project) would increase the reservoir area by 780 ha to a total area of 1,100 ha and increase water capacity by 68 million m3 to 86 million m3. The Project includes the construction of 9 km of earthen banks up to 20 m in height, and the removal of all or a portion of the East Dam to connect the existing reservoir with the expanded reservoir. The Project is planned to provide additional water security for irrigation agriculture downstream of the reservoir. For more information on the environmental assessment process visit ea.alberta.ca.
Click HERE to view the Documents.If you currently obtain water from the EID through a Rural Water Use – Country Residential Agreement and would like to irrigate pasture outside the identified and maintained yard area for personal use, such as for a horse pasture, you must apply for a separate agreement to do so. The following requirements must be met:
If you require further information on what kind of raw water use is permissible under your agreement or additional information regarding the Pasture Irrigation Agreement, please contact Staci Connauton – Land Administrator, 403-363-1376, staci.connauton@eid.ca
The Provincial Government has recently launched an engagement on provincial water availability. Several of the issues as communicated in their “Issue Sheets” would have material impact on irrigation districts and the irrigator.
The irrigation industry needs your help to reinforce our concerns. We need as many people as possible to attend virtual and in-person meetings, and to vigorously respond by email and voicemail of your concerns to Alberta Environment & Protected Areas and our local MLA/Premier.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has announced the current Water Availability Engagement has been extended from January 11 to January 24, 2025. Additionally, a Town Hall meeting for Wednesday January 8, 2025, in Lethbridge at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre has been scheduled.
Feedback may be conveyed via:
Irrigation Sector Call to Action and Messaging Water Availability Engagement
AIDA White Paper Water Engagement November 6, 2024 final
Provincial Water Availability Engagement Web Page
Thank you,
EID Board & Management
