Post Date: May 05, 2025

Environmental Assessment - Eastern Irrigation District Snake Lake Reservoir
Expansion Project - EIA Report and Application for Approval

Description

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.

Post Date: May 02, 2025

Attention Acreage Owners
Permission for Pasture Irrigation

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:

• There must be adequate raw water available in the conveyance system to provide the request.
• The acreage owner must hold a Rural Water Use – Country Residential Agreement.
• The irrigated pasture use must only be for personal or recreational purposes.
• The pasture must be irrigated with an efficient method (sprinkler only, no flood).
• A Pasture Irrigation Agreement must be signed and a fee of $200/acrefoot ($311/acre-foot if served by an EID pressurized system) per year paid for all irrigated pasture outside the Country residential (yard) area.

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

Post Date: April 30, 2025

Chemical Treatment of Canals for 2025

The EID has seen successful results in implementing a scheduled chemical treatment program for canal reaches prone to aquatic weed issues. Following is the 2025 schedule, subject to weather conditions, for canals in this program:

• Tilley Main Canal
• May 14
• May 28
• June 11
• June 25
• July 09
• July 23
• August 06
• August 20


• 17-G Springhill
• May 14
• May 28
• June 11
• June 25
• July 09
• July 23
• August 06
• August 20


• North Branch Canal
• May 15 - 16
• May 29 - 30
• June 12 - 13
• June 26 - 27
• July 10 - 11
• July 24 - 25
• August 07 - 08
• August 21 - 22


• 16-Springhill
• June 04
• July 03
• July 29


• Rolling Hills Main Canal
• June 05 - 06
• July 04 - 05
• July 30 - 31


• Secondary A Rolling Hills Canal
• June 05 - 06
• July 04 - 05
• July 30 - 31


• Bow Slope Canal
• June 19
• August 15


• 17 Bow Slope Canal
• June 19
• August 15


• Antelope Creek Canal
• June 17
• August 13


• H-West Bantry Canal
• June 18
• August 14


• South Bantry Canal
• June 18
• August 14

Herbicides used are:

(Special Use Approval Registration Number 10572-05-01):

• Canals are treated with:
• Magnacide H (Acrolein) – PCP Act Regulation Number 10948 – for aquatic vegetation and algae


• Canal banks are treated with:
• Vanquish (Dicamba) – PCP Act Registration Number 26980 – for broadleaf weeds, brush and willows.
• Vision Max (Glyphosate) – PCP Act Registration Number 27736 – for Canary grass, Downy Brome, and cattail.

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.

• Pre-registration is required for the January 8th Town Hall and can be facilitated through the water availability engagement webpage. Doors will open at 6:15pm. The Town Hall will start at 6:45pm with brief remarks followed by moderated feedback and a question-and-answer period. Opportunities will be available following the moderated session for further small group or bilateral feedback and discussion. The event is expected to last 1 hour and 45 minutes. AEPA ADM Kate Rich will be in attendance and Deputy Minister Sherri Wilson is also expected. Several elected officials have been invited to attend the Town Hall.

Feedback may be conveyed via:

• Environment and Protected Areas:
• epa.water@gov.ab.ca
• Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA:
• Brooks.MedicineHat@assembly.ab.ca
• Phone: 587-270-5110 or 403-527-5622
• Fax: 587-270-5113

For Further Information, click the following links to view the complete documents:

• 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