Managers of Alberta's irrigation districts are suggesting a $5-billion plan for storing and conserving water in the southern part of the province, where the supply of this essential resource is becoming more limited.
The plan is outlined in a newly published report from the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association.
The report predicts that the South Saskatchewan River basin will experience greater strain on its water supply due to population growth and ongoing effects of climate change.
According to Margo Redelback, a director of the association, the region will likely have sufficient water in the future.
However, she anticipates that the water may be available at different times of the year or may flow away as runoff instead of being gradually released by melting glaciers or snow.
Her group is recommending eight water storage projects or enhancements to balance out this availability, as well as the creation of new wetlands to absorb flowing water.
Redelback acknowledges that managing the projects will be crucial to ensure that enough water remains in rivers and streams to meet environmental requirements.
The report suggests that the projects could generate up to $6 billion in economic activity.
