1. Surface Water Challenges on the Canadian Prairies Risk and Adaptation
Prairie Water Policy Symposium
International Institute for Sustainable Development
September 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dave Kiely, P.Eng.
Ag Water Directorate
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

2. Presentation Outline: Prairie Surface Water (Ag Focus)
Vulnerability of the Water Resource
Prairie Exposure / Vulnerability /Adaptation Experience
Climate Variability (CV) /Climate Change (CC) Projections
Opportunities

5. Canadian Prairies:
Drought Risk

9. Prairie Vulnerability & Adaptation to Drought…
(Economic/Environmental/Societal)
CV on Prairies – Drought of the 1930’s
- Major economic impacts
- Federal response…
Canada established the PFRA in 1935 to assist in the “rehabilitation of the drought and soil drifting areas … and to develop and promote systems of farm practice, tree culture, water supply, land utilization and land settlement that will afford greater economic security”

10. Prairie Vulnerability & Adaptation to Drought……
(Economic/Environmental/Societal)
PFRA activities:
- Migration to wetter agricultural areas
- Formation of 1.0 M ha of Community Pastures
- Rural Water Development Program
- Large scale irrigation projects
Provision of trees (shelterbelts) to reduce soil erosion / trap snow
Irrigation research and demonstration - centres

12. EXTENT OF 2001– 2002 DROUGHT IN
THE PRAIRIE REGION OF CANADA

13. Drought of 2001 / 2002…
The 2001 and 2002 droughts were unusually severe, spatially extensive and long-lasting
2001 national in extent
- More severe in west than east
Climatic evolution and persistence different from other Canadian droughts – was difficult to predict and identify the cause.
Multi-year drought (started in 1999 in parts of the prairies) compounded severity
Losses in Agricultural Production of $2B ( Alberta & Sask) - $3.6B for Canada
Loss of GDP $3B (Alberta & Sask) - $5.8B for Canada
Areas like Northern Alberta & Northern Sask had little experience with this type of event – particularly vulnerable

14. Adaptation
history of water development – small scale to large scale
dugouts to Gardiner Dam to regional pipelines
Agencies involved (railways (early) to Canada to provinces)
Irrigation development

15. Prairie Vulnerability & Adaptation to Drought…
(simple case of on-farm water supplies)
Rural water supplies extremely vulnerable
Rural water supply adaptation:
- constructed dugouts / small reservoirs
- groundwater – deep wells
- rural water pipelines
- pasture pipelines

16. Agricultural Adaptation

17. Irrigation in Canada Province Prov Govt 2004 Estimates (Ha)
Potential Irr (Ha)
Potential Irrigated Areas as % of Actual
British Columbia
121,408
182,113
150%
Alberta
728,450
1,011,736
139%
Saskatchewan
80,939
404,694
500%
Manitoba
30,352
60,704
200%
Ontario
202,347
333%
Quebec
25,000
35,000
140% NB
500
575
115% NS
3,642
7,285
PEI
2,023
4,047 NL 45
136
300%
Canada
1,053,065
1,908,637
181%

18. Farmers are paid up to $50 for the construction of dugouts.
Water development projects for individuals and communities begin in 1936.
Farmers are paid up to $50 for the construction of dugouts.
Reservoirs and irrigation works are built or repaired in southwest Saskatchewan.
Eastend, Val Marie and West Val Marie dams are completed, providing water for irrigation, livestock and domestic uses

19. Prairie Dugout… Must provide 100% availability for livestock
For 70 years, designed for a 2 year supply-“coping range”
Must provide 100% availability for livestock
Stakeholder feedback: Recent droughts have shown this design criteria is no longer appropriate
Now consider that a 3 year supply design criterion is more appropriate

20. In 1943, construction was completed on a number of significant structures in Saskatchewan including:
Duncairn Dam on Swift Current Creek in southwestern Saskatchewan
Control structures on Echo, Crooked and Round Lakes in the Qu’Appelle River system
In 1946, investigations for dam sites along the Red Deer, South Saskatchewan, and St. Mary Rivers; and construction on the St. Mary Irrigation Project began.

21. In the spring of 1950, major flooding in the Red River Valley and other areas in Manitoba, lead to responsibility for the dikes and flood control works along the Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg being transferred to PFRA.
Canada and Manitoba sign the Saskatchewan River Reclamation Project Agreement for diking and draining to reclaim 100,000 acres in the Pasquia area west of The Pas in 1953.

22. The Buffalo Pound Water Supply Project starts pumping water from the South Saskatchewan River to Buffalo Pound Lake via the Qu’Appelle River in 1956.
The additional water provides a more secure supply to Regina and Moose Jaw and opportunity for economic development.
Opportunities - Kalium Solution Potash Mine and SAFERCO Fertilizer Plant

23. In 1963, Canada and Manitoba agree to build the Shellmouth Dam on the Assiniboine River to provide flood control and water conservation.
Construction began in 1965.

24. On July 21, 1967, Prime Minister Pearson and Premier Thatcher officially opened Gardiner Dam (at that time Canada’s largest earthfill dam) signifying completion of the South Saskatchewan River project (started in 1958).

25. The SNBB studies, which were completed in 1972, evaluate storage and diversion possibilities in the Saskatchewan and Nelson River basins including the investigation, design and costing of 55 possible dams and 23 possible diversions.

26. CV / CC Projections that would Impact the Water Resource…
Our water resources are vulnerable…
Most of Canada would become wetter / warmer (less cold)
opportunity
Changes in rain / snow mix
Changes in timing of precipitation events
Longer agricultural growing season
More extreme weather events
Assumed increased rate of evaporation in many areas
Deteriorating water quality

27. CV / CC Indications for Prairie Water Resources…..
(Supply)
Higher rates of evaporation (?) increasing losses in surface waters, including reservoir storage
Changes in stream flow patterns
(higher spring and lower summer flows)
More frequent and severe droughts – dry spells
(Prairies, Southern Ontario, interior BC)
Glaciers retreating

28. CV / CC Indications for Prairie Water Resources…..
(Demand)
Increasing demands for water across many communities/sectors due to warmer temperatures
Increasing need for irrigation (currently the largest net consumer of water in Canada)
Increasing population pressures independent of climate change

29. CV / CC Implications for Prairie Water Resources…..
(Economic/Environmental/Societal)
Increased pressure for water diversions / inter-basin transfers of water
Impacts on economic activity and legal obligations (water availability / quality)
Increasing costs for water treatment
Increasing conflict around water allocations

30. Prairie Vulnerability & Adaptation to Drought…
(Needs)…
Factor CC into planning / design
Funding to improve infrastructure
Better understanding of groundwater
Improved water use efficiency
Better seasonal climate predictions to help broaden the coping range
Improve monitoring capability – trend analysis (water and climate)

31. Effective Water Resources Management into the Future– Opportunities…
Design to ensure efficient use of existing supplies (includes educating our clients)
Support engagement of stakeholders & all levels of government in identifying & addressing the issues
Promote multi-barrier approach to water treatment; watershed as the first step (IWRM)
Apply CC scenarios in design / development of new supplies – no regrets option

32. Opportunities… (Cont’d)
Integrate with social and natural sciences in addressing CC vulnerability of the water resource
Consider the real value of water
Cooperation – shared government and private sector leadership role

33. Opportunities (cont’d)…
role in providing tools to incorporate CC …information for decision makers…
-develop better seasonal forecasts
-develop appropriate CC scenarios that address hydrologic and meteorological data requirements
-hydrologic analyses that include CC
-support development of adaptation options
-strengthen collaboration between departments and with the private sector

34. Opportunities (cont’d)…
Develop and implement innovative technologies to facilitate adaptation
Educate ourselves and our clients about CC
Water is an integrator of communities in our society - an essential element that demands we work together to secure the resource…
…will be Key in Addressing CC Vulnerability Issues

35. Irrigation Efficiency Watershed Management
Continued Adaptation
Water Supply
Water Treatment
Irrigation Efficiency
Watershed
Management

36. Short-term strategies … ...And long-term strategies
Coping with Global Warming and Climate Variability requires …
Continuing Adaptaion
Short-term strategies …
...And long-term strategies

37. QUESTIONS?