Bow River Irrigation District
The following is a complete list of all projects included in the Bow River Irrigation District (BRID) under this program. There are seven modernization projects and one reservoir project.
Modernization Projects
B-5-C and Drain B (Vauxhall Block) Pipelines
This project includes two new pipelines to improve the efficiency of water delivery to approximately 3,200 acres on 21 parcels of land irrigated from Drain A (Expanse Coulee). The B-5-C pipeline will be a closed pipeline serving 11 parcels and will eliminate all spill associated with those parcels. The Drain B pipeline will supply water to Drain B just above its confluence with Drain A for the other 10 parcels. This will be a much more efficient system, as most of the water for all 21 parcels is currently supplied using the Expanse Coulee wasteway on the main canal to fill Grantham Lakes, which then overflows into Drain A via a lengthy system of drains and wetland projects. The project will also restore the district’s ability to use the full wasteway capacity in emergency situations, protecting the main canal from potentially disastrous surge flows.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2020/2021 and is now operational.
Cost Estimate
Final Cost: $2,260,000.
Lost Lake North Channel Pipeline
This channel is approximately one kilometre long and supplies water for the irrigation of approximately 1,200 acres on eight parcels of land. The channel is in poor condition with severely eroded banks, and there is significant seepage impacting adjacent farmland. The channel will be replaced with a pipeline to eliminate these problems and ensure the secure supply of water to these lands.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2020/2021 and is now operational.
Cost Estimate
Final Cost: $350,000.
Lomond Lateral Modernization
This project includes modernization of approximately 13 kilometres of the Lomond Lateral, which is the main canal for the west block of the BRID. The inside slopes of the canal will be re-graded to be flatter, more stable slopes, protected with gravel armor. Removal of silt deposits will restore the capacity of the canal to allow sufficient water to be delivered, including filling Badger Reservoir. Along with canal earthwork, a new automated check structure will be constructed to improve operational efficiencies, which will result in water savings.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2020/2021 and is now operational.
Cost Estimate
Final Cost: $5,600,000.
Lateral O (Hays Block) Pipeline
This is an open canal, which already serves two small pipelines and over 2,100 acres on 16 parcels. Water is currently lost to seepage, evaporation, and spill. The canal will be replaced with a closed pipeline, which will tie into the existing pipelines, eliminating all water losses. The pipeline inlet will be moved to the main canal above Scope Reservoir, instead of the location of the existing canal inlet on the outlet canal from the reservoir. This will increase the grade and reduce the cost of the pipeline. A new check structure will be constructed on the main canal to provide the required water level for the pipeline, and this structure will replace the existing reservoir inlet structure, which is in poor condition.
Schedule
Construction began in October 2021, with completion scheduled in the spring of 2023.
Cost Estimate
Current estimate: $3,900,000.
Final Cost: $2,370,000.
Lateral H-7-2 (West Block) Pipeline
This is a small canal, serving approximately 580 acres on four parcels of land. The grade is steep, and it will be replaced with a closed pipeline, eliminating all water losses.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2021/2022 and is now operational.
Cost Estimate
Final Cost: $375,000.
Lateral H (West Block) Pipeline
This is an open concrete lined canal, which already serves two small pipelines. Significant portions of the concrete liner are badly deteriorated, causing water losses due to seepage. The canal serves nearly 1,800 acres on 13 parcels, and spill is significant. The canal will be replaced with a closed pipeline, which will tie into the existing pipelines, eliminating all water losses.
Schedule
This project was constructed in the winter of 2021/2022 and is now operational.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $2,700,000.
Lateral B/K (Vauxhall Block) System Pipelines
Lateral B and its sub-laterals, designated as K-1 through K-11, serve over 19,300 acres of irrigated land on over 140 parcels. There are currently 13 relatively small pipelines included within this system, but the vast majority is still open canal. This is an inefficient system to operate, and losses to spill, seepage and evaporation are high. This project will replace the entire system with closed pipelines with inlets on the main canal, which will eliminate water losses. Three large pipelines will originate on the main canal and will tie into all the existing smaller pipelines in the system.
Schedule
Construction of the first pipeline will begin in the 2022/2023 construction season. It will probably take five years to complete the project, depending on the availability of the large diameter pipe which is required.
Cost Estimate
Current estimate: $30,000,000.
Reservoir Projects
Deadhorse Coulee Reservoir
This project will include a new reservoir on the BRID main canal in TWP 13 -RG 18 – W4M, approximately 10 kilometres southeast of Enchant. In addition to increasing water storage, this reservoir will provide a vital balancing function on the BRID main canal to reduce spill. The reservoir capacity will be approximately 20,000 acre-feet (24 million cubic metres), with a maximum depth of approximately nine metres and a flooded area of approximately 500 hectares.
Environmental and engineering investigations are underway, meetings with affected landowners are ongoing, and discussions with government officials on the regulatory approval process are occurring. The current land use within the reservoir footprint is agriculture, with all land privately owned.
Although the reservoir will function primarily for irrigation, it should provide an excellent sport fishery, and day-use will be accommodated.
Schedule
Construction will begin once the design is completed, the land is acquired, all regulatory requirements are met, and approvals are received. Beginning construction in early 2024 is likely. If approved, completion of the project will take up to two years once construction commences.
Cost Estimate
Initial estimate: $59,100,000.
