• Click here to view the Access Policy for District Owned Lands.
• Click here or the graphic to download the Wildlife Guide.
• Click here to download the Bird Checklist Guide.

The Eastern Irrigation District encompasses an area of 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) in Southern Eastern Alberta. Land in this area is comprised of cultivated and non-cultivated parcels. The District owns approximately 243,000 hectares (600,000 acres) of land in this area with the majority being native prairie grassland. The remaining lands within the administrative boundaries of the EID are privately held by individual or corporate agricultural producers.

Private land owned by the EID is managed with a multi-use philosophy. The majority of the land is managed as community grazing leases in support of our irrigators and the local cattle industry. Industrial development, wildlife habitat development and maintenance and public access are also allowed on EID owned lands in support of the local economy.

Public access is generally permitted on most EID owned lands designated as community pastures. However, the EID may at any time close all or part of their lands to access.

The majority of the irrigation conveyance infrastructure including irrigation canals and drains are located on lands owned by individual or corporate agricultural producers. These landowners have jurisdiction over public access onto their properties along with the irrigation canals and drains running through these properties.

The EID’s Public Access Policy sets out the rules and regulations concerning access to District owned lands. These guidelines are outlined below:

1. No fires permitted. Extreme caution must be used to prevent grass fires. EID lands may be closed to public access during high fire hazard
2. Automobiles MUST stay on designated routes (where posted) or on established roads or trails if there are no designated routes present. NO off-highway vehicles permitted.
3. DO NOT DISTURB LIVESTOCK. No public access near cattle.
4. Written permission is required for hunting on EID community pastures. Hunting is generally permitted during the legal recreational hunting season by individuals in possession of the appropriate recreational hunting licenses. NO HUNTING PERMITTED NEAR LIVESTOCK.
5. Leave gates as you find them.
6. No overnight camping permitted on EID lands, other than in official campgrounds.
7. Pets must be supervised and kept under control at all times.
8. OBEY ALL SIGNS. Some areas may have designated routes, be foot access only areas or in some cases have temporary closures to public access.
9. EID lands under private lease require separate permission from the leaseholder for access.
10. Public access to EID lands may be withdrawn at any time by the EID Board of Directors or EID Management & Staff.

ACCESS TO EID OWNED LAND IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT!

Failure to follow the guidelines outlined above will result in loss of access to EID lands & reservoirs.

Individuals who are interested in accessing EID owned lands are required to contact the EID’s Land Administrator for Habitat, Wildlife and Access prior to their visit.

For more information contact:

Daniel Buell
Land Administrator - Habitat, Wildlife and Access
403-363-5618
daniel.buell@eid.ca