LAKE DIEFENBAKER - It was announced almost four years ago, but now there's been substantial movement on a major irrigation project centered on Lake Diefenbaker and the surrounding regional area.
In July of 2020, the provincial government made the announcement of a $4 billion "generational project" that would see Saskatchewan irrigate up to 500,000 acres of land from Lake Diefenbaker, more than doubling the irrigable land in the province.
This week, the province announced that steps are being taken to ensure that vision comes to pass as Premier Scott Moe broke the news that the government is moving forward with constructing the early works of the first 90,000 acres of the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project. The estimated total cost of the work is $1.15 billion, which will be shared between the provincial government and producers who choose to participate in the project.
Moe said in a media release that this "first major step" will lead to Canada creating substantial benefits for generations of Canadians.
“Our government is happy to take the first major step in creating the most sustainable food and economic security project in Canada which will create major benefits for generations,” said Premier Moe. “Saskatchewan can be a leader across the country and move this project forward to provide billions in economic benefits and thousands of jobs while adapting to a changing climate.”
It's expected that the engineering, design, and engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders will be done over the next 12-14 months, with major construction of the project's 90,000 acres being targeted for 2025.
Ag Minister David Marit says that this project will enable the province to meet the needs of a growing global population.
“Saskatchewan has an amazing food security story to tell, since 2020, over 58,000 acres of irrigation have been developed, the largest growth since the early 1980s,” Marit said. “The Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project will position Saskatchewan to meet the needs of a growing population across the globe. We continue to encourage the federal government to come to the table in a more meaningful way and be part of this important project as it moves forward.”
It's been estimated that by the year 2050, the world's population will increase by approximately two billion people, going from eight to ten billion across the world. Such an increase means that global food production will need to go up by 70% in order to meet the demands.
The start of the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation expansion project isn't the only news affecting the local region, as the government also announced more than $19 million towards a number of irrigation districts in the province to sustain infrastructure formerly owned by government and support future development opportunities. This includes pumps, pipes, canals and associated water management infrastructure.
More than 55,000 acres of irrigation were developed in the province between 2020 and 2023, and such funding investments are made in order for the government to reach its Growth Plan target of 45 million metric tonnes of crop produced by 2030.
Six irrigation districts will receive what's being called Irrigation Rehabilitation Program funding, including the Luck Lake Irrigation District, set to receive up to $3.8 million over five years; the South Saskatchewan Irrigation District, set to receive up to $9.5 million over five years; the Riverhurst Irrigation District, set to receive up to $3.8 million over five years; the Moon Lake Irrigation District, set to receive up to $159,005 over five years; the Grainland Lake District, set to receive up to $441,180 over five years; and the Miry Creek Irrigation District, set to receive up to $153,710 over five years.
Irrigation Saskatchewan, based in Outlook, wrote on its social media that its excited to continue their research and advocacy efforts on behalf of local irrigators.
"Congratulations to everyone in Saskatchewan! We're thankful to all who worked hard to promote irrigation. Special thanks to Premier Scott Moe, the Water Security Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture for their leadership, and all those who have worked with SIPA to support our actions with this effort."
Interested parties can check out diefenbakerirrigation.ca for more on the project.
