LNID Water User Update: March 2026

LNID would like to provide an overall operational update.

ADMINISTRATION UPDATES

Board Elections: Electoral Division 2 and Electoral Division 4

Nominations Close: 4:00PM Friday, April 10, 2026

Election Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 (if required)

We are still accepting nominations for the Board and encourage eligible candidates to put their names forward.

To date, there have been no nominations for Division 2, and one (1) nomination for Division 4. Martin Van Diemen, current Vice-Chair and elected to represent Division 2, welcomes interest from irrigators to step into the Board as he settles into retirement.

Nomination forms can be found here. For any questions or additional information, do not hesitate to contact the LNID Office.

Annual General Meeting: 1:30PM Thursday, April 16, 2026

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 1:30pm at the Picture Butte Community Centre. The 2025 Annual Report will be available on the website in April 2026.

Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Program (SCAP)

SCAP is a cost-shared federal-provincial investment for agriculture and agri-food industry to support growth and resiliency. The Water Program provides funding opportunities to producers to help improve water management practices. For additional information on the types of projects eligible to apply for funding, click here.

Representatives from SCAP Water Program will be present at the Annual General Meeting to answer any questions and provide detailed information.

Support Prevention Efforts of Alberta Invasive Species

The introduction of invasive zebra, quagga or golden mussels into Alberta water bodies would negatively impact not only the LNID’s operations, but the province’s economy, environment, and water recreation at large.

LNID is sending a letter of support to the Honourable Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, for implementation of the 2024 AIS Task Force Recommendation Report. We encourage all water users, businesses, partnering organizations, and others to send their own letters, highlighting their support of prevention efforts.

WATER SUPPLY UPDATE

As snow continues to fall in the mountains, LNID monitors snow pillow and District water reservoir information maintained by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and shared weekly by the Water Infrastructure and Operations Branch (WIOB) of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI).

Snow Pillows:

Gardiner Creek snow pillow accumulations track within normal ranges for this time of year.

Lost Creek South and South Racehorse Creek snow pillow accumulations track near upper quartile for this time of year.

Oldman Reservoir: 69.07% of full supply level (FSL)

WEED CONTROL PROGRAM

Broadleaf weed control treatment along LNID right-of-ways start in April 2026.

Aquatic Weed control treatments in LNID canals start in May 2026. We will be initiating advanced text or email notice of treatment by reach in 2026.

For a full list of treatment chemicals, locations, and dates, click here.

LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN HEADWORKS (LNH) CANAL UPGRADES:

AGI provided LNID a progress update on the LNH Canal upgrades, which include canal liner repairs, a groundwater drain, and a turnout before the flume over Oldman River. Construction progress details can be found under Notices on LNID’s website homepage.

AGI anticipates the repairs will be completed and canal functional by March 31, 2026 with subsequent site-cleanup completed by May 31, 2026.

If you have any questions about any the above information do not hesitate to contact the Office at 403-327-3302.

LNID Board of Directors and Staff