Title
Irrigation Feasibility Study Final Report
Proposed Motion
That the Irrigation Feasibility Study Final Report be received for information, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
The Agriculture Program and Services Review conducted in 2018 recommended Parkland County investigate the feasibility of developing irrigation infrastructure to enhance value add opportunities and mitigate risks of climate change.
The report presented to Committee of the Whole is the final report on the feasibility study.
Summary
The Irrigation Feasibility Report concludes work on the recommendation from the Agriculture Program and Services Review for Parkland County to investigate the feasibility of developing irrigation infrastructure.
The Report concludes that water for irrigation is available in sufficient quantity to irrigate 28,000 irrigable acres in Parkland County. A 10,000 acre contiguous block is suitable for irrigation southwest of Stony Plain.
Water conveyance directly from the North Saskatchewan River to the irrigation block was determined to be most feasible. Conveyance through the Transalta pipeline or to Jackfish Lake were deemed not feasible.
Cost for the project include $5,3398/acre capital costs and $215/acre annual operating costs. Costs per acre are high due to relatively limited irrigable acres available in a continuous block.
Yields of oilseeds and cereals under irrigation will not differ significantly from dryland yields. Specialty crops such as potatoes and peas could see yield and quality increases.
Due to high costs to develop the irrigation infrastructure and limited yield advantages, development of irrigation infrastructure is not feasible at this time.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
None
Financial Impact:
Cost:
Source of Funding:
Other:
The options for developing irrigation infrastructure on a large scale in Parkland County are not feasible. This may ne...
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