April 11, 2025
Good afternoon LNID Water Users and Stakeholders,
Please be notified that, after the close of nominations, Sonny Wierenga has been elected by acclamation to the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District Board of Directors for Electoral Division No. 5.
April 3, 2025
This annual event is a province-wide open house where Albertans are invited to step onto farms and experience firsthand where their food comes from. From on-farm culinary experiences to educational demonstrations, Open Farm Days highlight the vital role agriculture plays in our lives and economy.
April 1, 2025
The LNID Board continues to monitor the water supply outlook as the 2025 irrigation season approaches. As of March 28, 2025 the Oldman Reservoir level remains at approximately 55% of full volume. Although snowpack remains below 2024's levels overall, the Gardiner snow pillow, the primary indicator for LNID headwaters runoff, is currently above the lower quartile.
The LNID 2025 Water Allocation will be considered by the Board at the upcoming April 15, 2025 meeting. The Board will refer to the Water Supply Outlook available at that time to make an informed decision regarding allocation.
March 28, 2025
The LNID Board of Directors would like to announce the Notice of Nomination for Division 5.
Nominations will be open until 4:00pm, Friday, April 11, 2025.
March 12, 2025
The Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation is seeking applicants to serve as public members on the Irrigation Council! What are they looking for in a candidate? • A significant understanding of irrigated agriculture in Alberta • Board governance knowledge and experience (professional or volunteer) • Strong leadership skills focused on teamwork and consensus building decision making • Effective communication and critical thinking skills • High standard of personal values aligning with the Irrigation Council’s Code of Conduct LNID’s General Manager and District Engineer recently met with Irrigation Council, and note how important it is to have representatives that understand the value of irrigated agriculture and the IRP program. An engaged and informed Council appreciates LNID’s efforts to improve the technology and the management of infrastructure. We encourage you to strongly consider being part of this important function in protecting and promoting our irrigation sector. The council is looking for two (2) applicants for up to a three (3) year term with potential reappointment eligibility. For more information on the Irrigation Council responsibilities and duties, as well as the application, please see the Recruitment Posting. Applications close on March 26, 2025.
February 24, 2025
Good morning LNID water users,
G.S. Dunn Ltd. Dry Mustard Millers is looking for producers to participate in a research trial aiming to establish irrigation standards for mustard seed production!
February 13, 2025
Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) is continuing the spirit of communication with fellow water users of the Oldman and South Saskatchewan River Basin by sharing our perspectives on the current water supply situation and management of available water. LNID holds large and senior licences on the Oldman River mainstem and will be accountable in allocating, monitoring and tracking our irrigation use as we do every year. As signatories of the AIDA Human Use and Livestock Sustenance Declaration, LNID will continue to assure water volumes are set aside for our thriving communities while making best use of available water in the system to grow our food. We continue to collaborate with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Water Infrastructure Operations Branch and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in balancing commitments and opportunities for protecting the aquatic environment and meeting other essential needs.
Water started flushing in the Keho Main Canal on Friday April 25, 2025. Control gates in the Keho system have started to be lifted to raise canal levels, and some pipelines are in the process of being filled.
Water started flushing in the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal on Monday, April 28, 2025. Water continues to travel through the canal towards Keho Reservoir. Further updates will be provided as water moves through this system.
April 17, 2025
2025 WATER STARTUP
The Board of Directors have decided on the following time periods for flushing of District canals and pipelines as well as the commencement of water delivery, subject to weather conditions:
The LNID will begin flushing out of Keho Reservoir on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation will begin flushing the main canal to Keho Lake on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Water delivery is targeting a start date of Monday, May 5, 2025.
The pace of start up will consider weather conditions and operational constraints depending on your location on the system. Contact your Water Coordinator for availability to fulfill water order requests as some areas may be ready earlier.
The District would like to remind you of the importance of giving at least 24 hours advance notice to all water orders (both on and off) to increase efficiency and reduce spill.
The LNID Water Coordinator divisions have been changed for the 2025 irrigation season, all divisions and information have been updated on the website.
The Water Coordinators, and their contact information, is as follows:
Macleod Keho: Patrick Pavka, 403-308-9026
Monarch: John Degenstein, 403-308-4453
Park Lake: Mike McCloud, 403-634-8449
Albion: Tyson Gates, 403-382-5845
Butte: Walter Engels, 403-382-5840
Turin: Tysen Sushelnitski, 403-382-5851
A map of the new Water Coordinator areas can be found here. If you require assistance in identifying your new Water Coordinator, please contact the Office (403-327-3302).
At the April 16, 2025 Board Meeting, the Board of Directors set the 2025 Water Allocation per irrigation acre at 14”.
The Board considered the Water Supply Outlook published by the Government of Alberta on April 14, 2025, the current Oldman and Keho Reservoir levels, the current snow water equivalent (primarily Gardiner), allowance for typical river and other downstream use, and the risk of a drier than normal summer. They balanced this with the operational needs of irrigators in making informed crop selection and management, as well as the estimated actual average annual use across the District when setting an initial maximum per parcel allocation in April.
The target is to be close to the current 55% of full in the Oldman Reservoir at the end of the irrigation season if we have a somewhat dry year, recognizing that there is room to use some of this storage if we experience an exceptionally dry year.
The LNID Water Coordinator divisions have been changed for the 2025 irrigation season, all divisions and information have been updated on the website.
The Water Coordinators, and their contact information, is as follows:
Macleod Keho: Patrick Pavka, 403-308-9026
Monarch: John Degenstein, 403-308-4453
Park Lake: Mike McCloud, 403-634-8449
Albion: Tyson Gates, 403-382-5845
Butte: Walter Engels, 403-382-5840
Turin: Tysen Sushelnitski, 403-382-5851
A map of the new Water Coordinator areas can be found here. If you require assistance in identifying your new Water Coordinator, please contact the Office (403-327-3302).
The Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District will be controlling broadleaf weeds along its right-of-ways for the 2025 irrigation season. The chemicals used will be Oracle Dicamba, and 2,4-D Amine 600. StartUp Herbicide will also be used for weed control on graveled driving banks and for reed canary grass control. This Spray program will be starting in May of 2025 and will continue to the end of the irrigation season.
Also included in this weed control program will be the treatments for aquatic weeds. To control these aquatic weeds, the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District may be treating the Canals noted below on the approximate dates shown during the 2025 irrigation season. The Canals will be treated with Magnicide H (Acrolein, Inhibited) to control the growth of aquatic weeds and algae.
MONARCH DRAIN
TP 10 RGE 23
LATERAL 61C CANAL
TP 9/10 RGE 22
LATERAL 62G CANAL
TP 11/12 RGE 21
LATERAL 62J CANAL
TP 11 RGE 20/21
LATERAL K1 CANAL
TP 11/12 RGE 19/20
LATERAL 62K CANAL
TP 11 RGE 19/20
WEEKS OF:
MAY 12, 19, 26; JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; JULY 7, 14, 21, 28; AUG. 4, 11, 18, 25; SEPT. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
All sub laterals that take water from the above noted laterals may/will be affected by these treatments. Please read the supplied material if you have land by these treatments or receive water from these canals.
This weed control program is administered by licensed applicators under the approval from Alberta Environment & Protected Areas. For a detailed map of the above referenced areas and updated information, please click here.
Good afternoon LNID Water Users and Stakeholders,
Please be notified that, after the close of nominations, Sonny Wierenga has been elected by acclamation to the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District Board of Directors for Electoral Division No. 5.
Thank you,
Christopher Gallagher, P.Eng.
Returning Officer
The district administration would like to remind all residents and visitors that hunting of any kind is strictly prohibited on district land. This prohibition is in place to ensure the safety of all individuals on district land, as well as to protect the natural habitat and wildlife within the area.
The prohibition on hunting includes, but is not limited to, the use of firearms, bows and arrows, traps, and any other devices used to capture or kill animals. This prohibition applies to all individuals, regardless of whether they are residents of the district or not.
Any individuals found to be hunting on district land will be asked to leave the area immediately and may be subject to legal action. The district administration takes this matter very seriously and will take all necessary measures to enforce this prohibition.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all on district land. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the district administration. Thank you for your understanding and compliance.
Annual report prepared by the Board of Directors. This report outlines the operational and financial state of the district and provides details about the district's current projects and infrastructure.
Information used in the Water Supply Update as of July 31, 2024.
Annual report prepared by the Board of Directors. This report outlines the operational and financial state of the district and provides details about the district's current projects and infrastructure.
The District Newsletter provides water users with a synopsis of information that is relevant to them.