St. Mary River Irrigation District, Lethbridge, AB

A series of on-stream storage reservoirs owned and operated by Alberta Environment in the mountains of southwestern Alberta store water for controlled release to the district during the hot, dry summer months. The SMRID has five major off-stream storage reservoirs throughout the system with a total storage capacity of 300, 000 acre feet. Specialty crop production comprises 20% of total crop production in the area. Three distinct soil and climatic areas exist within the district with each suited to produce different specialty crops; The major conveyance system within the district is the St Mary River Irrigation District Main Canal. It is 283 km (176 miles) in length and has the capacity to carry 91 cubic meters per second (3200 cubic feet per second) at the start of the system. Capacity in the Main Canal decreases along the system as deliveries are made to the Raymond and Taber Irrigation Districts and various secondary canals and storage reservoirs. In its final stages, near Medicine Hat, the capacity is down to 10 cms (360 cfs). Originally constructed in 1954, the Main Canal underwent major reconstruction from 1982 - 1991. The majority of the reconstruction funding was provided by Alberta Environment. Main Canal structures have been automated and can be accessed remotely for more effective monitoring and control of water levels. Seepage control, such as tile drainage, plastic lining or plastic cut-off curtains, have been provided in problem areas to conserve water and protect surrounding farm lands. The St. Mary River Irrigation District has also partnered with the Raymond Irrigation District and the Taber Irrigation District to form Irrican Power which has constructed three hydro-electric plants to provided southern Alberta with "Green Power".