History and Current Status of Irrigation in Alberta

Smith, RJ

doi:10.4296/cwrj0301006

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The evolution of water management in Alberta approximates that identified by Kreutzwiser for Canada as a whole (Kreutzwiser, 1995). In the 1950s and 1960s government involvement was mostly project oriented, such as building storage reservoirs for irrigation water (Smith, 1978). During the 1970s, in concert with growing ecological awareness generally, the broader environmental implications of water resource projects gained attention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ON‐FARM WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA¹

Johnston

Kromm

Byrne

2001

J American Water Resour Assoc

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In southern Alberta, as elsewhere, pressures on limited water supplies are increasing. Not surprisingly, a great deal of attention has been focused on irrigated agriculture, which accounts for the largest share of water consumed in the region. In order to meet broadly accepted water conservation goals, some commentators have suggested that irrigation water use should be metered and that irrigators should be charged based on the amount of water used. An alternative proposal would have water management authorities rely upon the perceived adaptability of irrigators. This paper offers a perspective on the willingness of irrigators to conserve water. Based on a survey of 183 irrigation farmers conducted over the summer and early fall of 1998, we found that irrigators are generally aware of the need to conserve water and soil moisture, and that a variety of water conserving strategies were being employed. Water saving technologies specific to irrigation agriculture were less widely adopted. The findings suggest that there is considerable potential to reduce the amount of water consumed by the irrigation sector through increased efficiency, but that change will be limited if current economic circumstances and institutional arrangements persist.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%