Reading Time: 4 minutes A modern water outage sends a columnist back to the decade when wells ran dry and every stem of hay counted.
When the taps run dry
A Calgary water outage sends Hart back to the 1960s drought that tested his family’s farm
Southern Alberta irrigation district sets healthy 2026 water allocation
Snow pack data nets good news for southern Alberta irrigated farmers with 14-inch water allocation
Reading Time: 3 minutes Southern Alberta farmers get good news in their water allotment for the 2026 growing season, which has nearly doubled in two years emerging from drought.
Get farmers in on federal water security strategy planning, CFA says
Any debate about water access should prioritize food security and on-farm production, the federation says
Farmers should be involved in the development of a Canadian fresh water security strategy, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says.
Water, water everywhere … for farmers and data centres
Alberta irrigation expert breaks down water demand as province targets $100B in AI infrastructure
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta's push for AI data centres raises water questions, but irrigation district manager says northern rivers have plenty of capacity for ag and tech.
Alberta farmers and ranchers aided by Water Amendment Act
Multiple-licence users like irrigation districts look to benefit in transparency through Water Amendment Act
Reading Time: 3 minutes A quarter-century in the making, the Water Amendment Act officially modernizes how Alberta manages its most precious resource. From streamlining multi-licence consolidations for irrigation districts to allowing ministerial approval for low-risk inter-basin transfers, these changes aim to support a growing economy while protecting the environment and the "first-in-time, first-in-right" priority system.
Promising 2026 water outlook brings relief for Alberta producers
Above-normal snowpack and reservoirs offer farmers the best irrigation and river volumes since 2022
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s 2026 water outlook is positive. Above-normal snowpack and reservoirs offer farmers the best moisture levels since 2022.
Alberta boosts investment in wetland restoration
Wetland Replacement Program has invested $25 million in 676 hectares of wetland since 2020
Reading Time: 2 minutes The province plans to add 67 hectares of new wetlands to strengthen natural flood and drought defences and improve water quality.
Irrigators jumping with joy over Alberta snowpack predictions
Reservoirs expected to get boost from decade-best snowpack for Alberta’s irrigated crops
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta irrigated farmers gets good news with snowpack shaping up to be the best the area has seen in a decade to fill the reservoirs for the thirsty crops for the growing season.
New rules to boost water storage and conservation in Alberta
Changes to Water Act make it easier for farmers, ranchers and communities to store and use water
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta has made changes to the Water Act, giving farmers more water storage capacity.
RDAR continues to become more relevant and useful to producers five years after its inception
Over two million acres in Alberta are in RDAR’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund projects
Reading Time: 5 minutes RDAR has already amassed a strong resume five years after its inception.