Red Deer River Basin

Transcription

1 Red Deer River Basin

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 7.0 RED DEER RIVER BASIN MUNICIPAL AND RESIDENTIAL SECTOR Population Water Allocations Licensed Water Use Actual Water Use Future Water Use Forecasts AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Overview of Agriculture in the Red Deer Basin Stockwatering Irrigation Summary COMMERCIAL SECTOR Water Allocations Licensed Water Use Actual Water Use Forecasts of Future Water Use PETROLEUM SECTOR Injection Gas/Petrochemical Plants Drilling Other Petroleum Use Summary INDUSTRIAL SECTOR Cooling Forestry Fertilizer Plants Manufacturing Mining Other Than Coal Coal Mining Other Industrial Summary OTHER SECTOR Water Management Habitat Enhancement Forecasts of Future Water Use Director-Specified Activities Summary SUMMARY Page i

3 LIST OF FIGURES PAGE Figure 7-1 Distribution of Active Water Allocations in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-2 Red Deer River Basin Surface Water Licences Figure 7-3 Red Deer River Basin Groundwater Licences Figure 7-4 Red Deer River Basin Registrations Figure 7-5 Red Deer Basin Historical Water Allocations for Municipal Purposes Figure 7-6 Red Deer Basin Population Growth Forecast Figure 7-7 Water Allocation for Agricultural Activities in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-8 Historical Trends in Water Allocation for Livestock in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-9 Historical Trends in Surface Water Allocation for Irrigation in the Red Deer Basin 233 Figure 7-10 Water Allocation for Commercial Activities in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-11 Historical Trend in Commercial Sector Water Allocation in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-12 Petroleum Water Allocation by Use in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-13 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Injection Figure 7-14 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Gas and Petrochemical Plants Figure 7-15 Water Allocations for the Industrial Sector, Red Deer River Basin Figure 7-16 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Cooling Figure 7-17 Other Sector Water Allocations by Use in the Red Deer Basin Figure 7-18 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Water Management Figure 7-19 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Habitat Enhancement Figure 7-20 Historical Trends in Water Allocations for Specified Activities Figure 7-21 Water Allocations and Actual Use, by Sector, Red Deer Basin Figure 7-22 Forecast Water Use in the Red Deer Basin: Medium Scenario Page ii

4 LIST OF FIGURES PAGE Table 7-1 Population Distribution and Growth in Red Deer River Basin, Table Urban Municipal Population and Water Allocations within the Red Deer River Basin Table Rural Municipal Population and Water Allocations within the Red Deer River Basin Table 7-4 Other Large Municipal Water Licensees in the Red Deer River Basin Table 7-5 Estimated Municipal Water Use in the Red Deer River Basin Table 7-6 Licensed and WURS Reported Diversions, Water Use and Returns by Type of Municipal Use for Red Deer Basin Table 7-7 Projected Water Use for the Municipal Sector in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-8 Agricultural Land Use in the Red Deer River Basin, Table 7-9 Classifications of Farms in the Red Deer Basin and Alberta, Table 7-10 Estimated Livestock Populations in the Red Deer Basin and Alberta, Table 7-11 Summary of Water Licences and Registrations Issued for Livestock Watering in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-12 Estimated Livestock Water Requirements for Table 7-13 Status of Applications under AOPA in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-14 Water Use for Livestock in the Red Deer River Basin Table 7-15 Irrigation Allocations and Use and Reported Actual Water Use, Red Deer River Basin Table 7-16 Projected Water Use for Agriculture in the Red Deer River Basin Table 7-17 Licensed Commercial Allocations and Reported Actual Water Use, Red Deer Basin238 Table 7-18 Forecast of Parks and Recreation Water Use in Red Deer Table 7-19 Projected Water Use for Golf Course, Red Deer Basin Table 7-20 Projected Water Use for Aggregate Washing, Red Deer Basin Table 7-21 Projected Water Use for Commercial Sector in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-22 Summary of Water Licences Issued to the Petroleum Sector in the Red Deer Basin242 Table 7-23 Forecast of Injection Water Use in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-24 Forecast of Petroleum Water Use in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-25 Licensed Allocations and Use and Estimated Actual Use, Industrial Sector, Red Deer River Basin Table 7-26 Licensed Allocations and Use and Estimated Actual Use, Other Sector, Red Deer River Basin Table 7-27 Forecast of Water Use by Habitat Enhancement Projects in Red Deer Table 7-28 Forecast of Other Use in the Red Deer Basin Table 7-29 Summary of Allocations and Estimated Water Use, Red Deer Basin Table 7-30 Forecast Water Use, By Sector, Red Deer Basin: Low Scenario Table 7-31 Forecast Water Use, By Sector, Red Deer Basin: Medium Scenario Table 7-32 Forecast Water Use, By Sector, Red Deer Basin: High Scenario Page iii

5 7.0 RED DEER RIVER BASIN The Red Deer Basin, which is at 49,000 km 2 in area, occupies eight percent of Alberta. The Red Deer River flows into the South Saskatchewan River and forms part of the Nelson River system, which eventually drains into Hudson Bay. In 2001, the Basin had a population of 234,965 people, or eight percent of the provincial population. This indicates a population density of five people per square kilometre. The Red Deer Basin comprises all or parts of 57 urban municipalities, 17 rural or regional municipalities and one First Nation. An overview of current surface and groundwater allocations is provided in Figure 7-1. It shows that in 2005 the other sector accounts for the largest percentage of water allocations in the Basin (30 percent). Allocations to the agricultural, municipal and petroleum sectors account for 24 percent, 19 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Total allocations in the Basin in 2005 were 372,792 dam 3. Figure 7-1 Distribution of Active Water Allocations in the Red Deer Basin Agriculture 29% Municipal 19% Commercial 3% Petroleum 13% Other 30% Industrial 6% Total Allocation: 372,792 dam 3 Figures 7-2 and 7-3 show the location, allocation and sector of all active surface and groundwater licences in Red Deer Basin. Figure 7-4 shows the location of all registrations issued for the Red Deer River Basin. Page 211

6 7.1 MUNICIPAL AND RESIDENTIAL SECTOR Population In 2001 about 62 percent of the population of the Red Deer River Basin lived in an urban area, with 38 percent in total communities. There was a very small Aboriginal community in the Basin (see Table 7-1). Between 1996 and 2001 the population of the Basin grew by 11.4 percent or about 2.2 percent per year. The highest rates of population growth were observed in the urban communities. Table 7-1 Population Distribution and Growth in Red Deer River Basin, to Population Change Population Percent Population Percent Urban Municipality 146, % 128, % Rural or Regional Municipality 88, % 81, % First Nations and Métis Settlements % % Total 234, % 210, % Table 7-2 lists all the urban municipalities located in the Red Deer River Basin, their estimated 2001 population, and a summary of water licence information for those communities that have water licences for 100 dam 3 or more. The major urban centres include the City of Red Deer (67,707 residents) and the City of Brooks (11,604). Table 7-3 lists the populations of the all the rural or regional municipalities within the Red Deer River Basin. The largest rural populations are found in Red Deer County (18,639), the Municipal District of Rocky view No. 44 (13,006) and Mountain View County (12,096) Water Allocations As of 2005, there were 342 active municipal water licences for 133 licensees in Red Deer Basin. These licences allow maximum withdrawals of 69,340 dam 3, and this accounts for 19 percent of all licensed water allocations in the basin. Allocations to urban communities (cities, towns, villages, summer villages) account for 96 percent of total allocations. Rural users (subdivisions, cooperatives, farmsteads, single-multi homes and colonies) account for three percent of total allocations while other municipal uses (institutions, senior/correctional centres, nursing/children s homes, hospitals, schools and training centres) account for the remaining one percent. Page 212

7 115 W 114 W { z 12 Industry Category Maximum Allowable Diversion (dam3/yr) Commercial W 114 W 113 W 112 W 111 W 51 N > Municipal > Industrial > Agriculture N > e er Petroleum > Other Legend 110 W dd 52 N 111 W Re 112 W 05CD 11 Red Deer z { 05CF 05CA 05CB 05CE 05CH 22 z { 2 z { 36 z { R i ver 05CG 05CK 1 z { 1 z { 05CJ Brooks 05CC 113 W 52 N ² 116 W > Major Road Major River Major Lake Sub Basin Major Basin Settlement 4GF &GGT 4KXGT $CUKP 5WTHCEG 9CVGT.KEGPUGU 50 N 116 W 115 W 50 N DATE: /CTEJ AMEC PROJECT: GIS FILE: 59A4GF&GGT4KXGT OZF -KNQOGVGTU -KNQOGVGTU '' PROJECTION: 6/ DATUM: 0#& PDF FILE: 59A4GF&GGT4KXGT RFH PREPARED BY: (+)74' Ä

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9 112 W 05CC z { British Columbia z { 05CH Oyen 05CK > Major River Major Lake Sub Basin Major Basin Settlement 4GF &GGT 4KXGT $CUKP )TQWPFYCVGT.KEGPUGU DATE: 50 N 114 W Major Road > > Agriculture > Industrial > Municipal CJ Petroleum W > W Other 05CG z { z { 05CF Commercial e er 05CE 51 N Industry Category Maximum Allowable Diversion (dam3/yr) dd z { Legend 110 W 05CA 111 W Re 52 N 113 W { z 05CD z { 05CB Rimbey Bashaw Bentley 12 Blackfalds Eckville Sylvan Lake 11 Red Deer Penhold Innisfail Bowden Trochu Sundre Olds Three Hills Hanna Didsbury Carstairs Ri ver Irricana 1 1 Bassano Brooks 50 N 52 N 114 W 51 N 115 W Saskatchewan ² 116 W )9A4GF&GGT4KXGT OZF -KNQOGVGTU -KNQOGVTGU PROJECTION: 6/ DATUM: 0#& PDF FILE: )9A4GF&GGT4KXGT RFH 113 W AMEC PROJECT: GIS FILE: /CTEJ '' PREPARED BY: 112 W 111 W 110 W (+)74' Ä

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11 ² 116 W 115 W 114 W 113 W 112 W 111 W 110 W Rimbey Bashaw Bentley 12 Blackfalds Eckville Sylvan Lake 11 Red Deer Penhold Innisfail Bowden Trochu Sundre Olds Three Hills Hanna Didsbury Carstairs 22 2 Oyen 36 Ri ver Irricana 1 1 Bassano Vauxhall Legend Agriculture Maximum Allowable Diversion (dam3/yr) Groundwater Registrations Surface Water Registrations Major Road Major River 05CC z { 05CD Sub Basin Major Basin z { Major Lake Settlement 52 N Re dd 52 N e er 05CF 05CA 05CB 05CE z { 05CH z { z { 05CG 05CK 51 N z { 51 N z { 05CJ 50 N 116 W 115 W 114 W 113 W 112 W 111 W 110 W DATE: 50 N 4GF &GGT 4KXGT $CUKP 4GIKUVTCVKQPU /CTEJ AMEC PROJECT: GIS FILE: 4)A4GF&GGT4KXGT OZF -KNQOGVGTU -KNQOGVTGU '' PROJECTION: 6/ DATUM: 0#& PDF FILE: 4)A4GF&GGT4KXGT RFH PREPARED BY: (+)74' Ä

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13 Table Urban Municipal Population and Water Allocations within the Red Deer River Basin Urban Municipality Name Source Allocation Urban Municipality Name Source Allocation Population (dam 3 Population ) RED DEER 67,707 Surface 20,970 ACME 648 Groundwater 143 Cities BROOKS 11,604 ALIX 825 Groundwater 1,235 CALGARY 1,754 BEISEKER 838 Groundwater 201 BASHAW 825 Groundwater 236 BIG VALLEY 340 Groundwater 104 BASSANO 1,320 CARBON 530 BENTLEY 1,035 Groundwater 116 CAROLINE 556 Groundwater 215 BLACKFALDS 2,358 Groundwater 427 CEREAL 175 BOWDEN 1,174 CLIVE 591 CARSTAIRS 935 CREMONA 415 Groundwater 197 CROSSFIELD 361 DELBURNE 719 Groundwater 146 DIDSBURY 3,932 Villages DELIA 215 DRUMHELLER 7,785 Surface 4,107 DUCHESS 836 ECKVILLE 1,019 Groundwater 210 ELNORA 290 HANNA 2,986 SW 802 EMPRESS 171 Towns INNISFAIL 6,928 Surface 617 LINDEN 636 IRRICANA 1,038 Groundwater 212 MIRROR 492 OLDS 6,607 MORRIN 252 OYEN 1,020 MUNSON 222 PENHOLD 1,729 Groundwater 399 ROCKYFORD 375 RIMBEY 2,118 Groundwater 375 ROSEMARY 366 STRATHMORE 1,363 YOUNGSTOWN 2 SUNDRE Surface 249 BIRCHCLIFF 2,267 Groundwater SYLVAN LAKE 7,493 Groundwater 1,847 BURNSTICK LAKE 10 THREE HILLS 2,902 Surface 1,579 GULL LAKE 143 TROCHU 1,033 Surface 358 HALF MOON BAY 37 Summer JARVIS BAY 124 Villages NORGLENWOLD 267 PARKLAND BEACH 97 ROCHON SANDS 58 SUNBREAKER COVE 86 WHITE SANDS 73 TOTAL 149,787 35,484 Page 219

14 Table Rural Municipal Population and Water Allocations within the Red Deer River Basin Urban Municipality Name Source Population Allocation CAMROSE COUNTY 374 CLEARWATER COUNTY 4,206 COUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 4,127 COUNTY OF PAINTEARTH NO COUNTY OF STETTLER NO. 6 3,106 COUNTY OF WETASKIWIN NO CYPRESS COUNTY 193 KNEEHILL COUNTY 5,319 Groundwater 273 LACOMBE COUNTY 8,680 Surface 107 MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY 12,096 MD OF ACADIA NO Groundwater 128 MD OF BIGHORN NO MD OF ROCKY VIEW NO ,006 PONOKA COUNTY 4,370 RED DEER COUNTY 18,639 Groundwater 769 SPECIAL AREAS (2, 3 AND 4) 3,080 STARLAND COUNTY 2,210 Surface 370 WHEATLAND COUNTY 4,059 Total 85,131 1,647 The municipal sector is allowed to withdraw up to 59,234 dam 3 of surface water from the Red Deer River Basin. Surface water licences represent 85 percent of total municipal water allocations and urban users have 21 licences that allow total withdrawals of 58,588 dam 3 (99 percent). Surface water allocations to rural uses only amount to 616 dam 3 (14 licences). Municipal users are allowed to withdraw up to 10,105 dam 3 of groundwater. Groundwater licences account for 15 percent of total municipal water allocations and urban users account for 79 percent of these allocations (8,023 dam 3 over 141 licences). Another 1,628 dam 3 of groundwater has been allocated to rural users (over 124 licences). Table 7-3 identifies the other municipal water licensees that are allowed to withdraw large amounts of water (100 dam 3 or more) from the Red Deer River Basin. The combined allocations for large urban, rural and other municipal water licensees account for almost 97 percent of the total municipal allocation. It should be noted that the City of Brooks and the Town of Bassano draw their water from the Bow Basin but are located in the Red Deer Basin. The Town of Stettler is located in the Battle Basin but is drawing water from the Red Deer Basin. Page 220

15 Table 7-4 Other Large Municipal Water Licensees in the Red Deer River Basin Approval Holder Water Source Allocation (dam3) MOUNTAIN VIEW REGIONAL WATER SERVICES COMMISSION Surface 9,954 KNEEHILL REGIONAL WATER SERVICES COMMISSION Surface 2,350 TOWN OF STETTLER Surface 1,696 LANGDON WATERWORKS LIMITED Groundwater 400 BOWDEN INSTITUTION Groundwater 205 JEWAL INVESTMENTS LTD. Groundwater 112 Total 14,717 Figure 7-4 shows how allocations for municipal water use in Red Deer Basin have changed since Municipal uses accounting for less than 0.1 percent of MAD are not shown. Most municipal allocations have been for urban surface water through time, with rapid growth in allocations occurring in the 1950 s, 1970 s and 1980 s. Rural and urban groundwater allocations have grown steadily since Municipal water allocations increased by 12 percent between 2000 and Figure 7-5 Red Deer Basin Historical Water Allocations for Municipal Purposes 80,000 Cubic Decametres 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 Urban - Groundwater Urban - Surface Water Rural - Groundwater Rural - Surface Water Other - Groundwater Licensed Water Use Table 7-5 summarizes licensed water use for the municipal sector in the Red Deer River Basin. These licensees assume that a maximum of 33,733 dam 3 will be used (i.e. 49 percent of withdrawals can be consumed and/or lost), and the remainder (35,606 dam 3 or 51 percent) will be returned to surface water sources. The licences issued to surface water users include 54 percent of diversions, but there are no return flow allowances for rural or other municipal users licensed to use surface water. Municipal users of groundwater are assumed to return 38 percent of their withdrawals, although this proportion ranges from 40 percent of the urban groundwater users to 26 percent for rural groundwater users. Page 221

16 7.1.4 Actual Water Use In 2005, only five percent of municipal licensees reported their water diversions to the provincial government through the WURS. These seven licensees were allowed to divert 28,374 dam 3 which represents 41 percent of total allocations for all municipal users in the basin. For 2005 they reported actual diversions of 21,367 dam 3 or 75 percent of their allocations. Only three of the seven licensees reported return flows; these flows totalled 1,506 dam 3 in Additional information on municipal water use was available from Environment Canada s Municipal Use database. MUD contains diversion information for 18 municipalities representing 65 percent of the basin s 2001 population, but only two reported return flow. The two data sets were combined to calculate ratios of allocation to actual diversion and actual diversion and licensed use to actual use, and these ratios were used to develop water use estimates for all municipalities. Table 7-5 Estimated Municipal Water Use in the Red Deer River Basin Municipal Use Source Withdrawals Use Return Flow Surface 43,212 20,914 22,298 Urban Groundwater 2, ,789 Subtotal 45,824 21,737 24,087 Surface Rural Groundwater Subtotal 1, Surface Other Groundwater Subtotal Surface 43,689 21,391 22,298 Total Use Groundwater 3,369 1,362 2,007 Total 47,058 22,752 24,305 Surface 59,234 27,449 31,785 Licensed Use Groundwater 10,105 6,284 3,821 Total 69,339 33,733 35,606 Surface 73.8% 77.9% 70.2% Percent of Groundwater 33.3% 21.7% 52.5% Licensed Use Total 67.9% 67.4% 68.3% Page 222

17 Table 7-6 Licensed and WURS Reported Diversions, Water Use and Returns by Type of Municipal Use for Red Deer Basin Water Use Urban* Rural** Other*** Source Number of Licensed Allocation and Use Reported Actual Use Licences Allocation Water Use Return Diversion Water Use Return) Surface 21 58,588 26,803 31,785 17,589 2,830 1,492 Groundwater 141 8,023 4,790 3, Subtotal ,611 31,593 35,018 17,704 2,845 1,506 Surface N/A N/A N/A Groundwater 124 1,628 1, ,663 N/A N/A Subtotal 138 2,244 1, ,663 N/A N/A Surface N/A N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A N/A Surface 40 59,234 27,449 31,785 17,589 2,830 1,492 Groundwater ,105 6,284 3,821 3, Total Total ,339 33,733 35,606 21,367 2,845 1,506 * Urban includes villages, summer villages, towns, cities, hamlets; ** Rural includes condominiums / townhouses / mobile homes / complexes, hotels / motels, cooperatives, farmsteads, single-multi homes, colonies and subdivisions *** Other includes camps, institutions, senior/correctional centres, nursing/children s homes, hospitals Page 223

18 As shown in Table 7-5, municipalities are withdrawing about 68 percent of their licensed allocations. This ranges from 74 percent for surface water users to 33 percent for groundwater users. Surface water utilization is 78 percent and groundwater utilization is approximately 22 percent of the licensed water use amounts. Overall, municipal water use is estimated to be 67 percent of the municipal use allocation within Red Deer Basin Future Water Use Forecasts Figure 7-6 shows low, medium and high population projection scenarios for Red Deer Basin based on Alberta Finance Census Division projections. The population forecasts in Figure 7-6 have been used to predict future municipal surface and groundwater use. The resulting forecasts of water use are provided in Table 7.7 and are based on the estimated per capita water use in Figure 7-6 Red Deer Basin Population Growth Forecast Population 400, , ,000 Low Medium High 250, Year Under the low population growth scenario, municipal water use in 2025 is expected to be 13 percent greater than at present and diversions will be approximately 77 percent of current allocations in Water use is expected to be 76 percent of current licensed use under the low population growth scenario in Under the high population growth scenario, water use will increase by 47 percent over current levels and total diversions of groundwater and surface water are expected to be 99 percent of current municipal allocations. Water use is expected to be 99 percent of current licensed use under the high population growth scenario in Page 224

19 Table 7-7 Projected Water Use for the Municipal Sector in the Red Deer Basin Scenario Source Low Surface 21,391 22,347 23,066 23,690 24,144 Population Groundwater 1,362 1,422 1,468 1,508 1,537 Growth Total 22,752 23,769 24,534 25,199 25,680 Medium Surface 21,391 22,826 24,270 25,662 26,920 Population Groundwater 1,362 1,453 1,545 1,633 1,714 Growth Total 22,752 24,279 25,814 27,296 28,634 High Surface 21,391 23,727 26,276 28,850 31,342 Population Groundwater 1,362 1,511 1,672 1,837 1,995 Growth Total 22,752 25,238 27,948 30,686 33, AGRICULTURAL SECTOR As of December 2005 a total of 107,448 dam 3 had been allocated to the agricultural sector in the Red Deer River Basin. This includes 19,023 registrations representing 13,047 dam 3 and 4,243 licences representing 94,400 dam 3 of water. Water allocated to agriculture accounts for 29 percent of all allocations in the Red Deer River Basin. Figure 7-6 shows how this water is distributed among the different agricultural uses in the Basin. The largest allocation is for private irrigation (65 percent). Stockwatering accounts for 21 percent, registration accounts for 12 percent, and feedlot and district irrigation together account for two percent of the total allocation. Figure 7-7 Water Allocation for Agricultural Activities in the Red Deer Basin Feedlot 2% Private irrigation 65% Stockwatering 21% Registration 12% District Irrigation 1% A total of 9,677 registrations and 2,222 licences allow withdrawals of up to 87,369 dam 3 of surface water; this accounts for 81 percent of all water allocated to the agricultural sector. Groundwater accounts for 19 percent of allocations for agricultural purposes; 2,021 licences and 9,346 registrations have been issued to withdraw up to 20,078 dam 3 of groundwater. Page 225

20 7.2.1 Overview of Agriculture in the Red Deer Basin Based on estimates derived from the 2001 Census of Agriculture, there were about 13,058 farms in the Red Deer River Basin, with an average size of 922 acres. These are farms account for 25 percent of all farms in Alberta in the Red Deer Basin. At the provincial level there are about 53,000 farms with an average size of 970 acres. Farms in the Red Deer River Basin cover an area of nearly 12 million acres; this is equivalent to about 48,000 km 2 or about 97 per cent of the basin. Table 7-8 shows that about 43 percent of the land in the Basin is used to raise crops. About five per cent of agricultural land is summer fallowed. Most of the remaining land, about 48 percent is pasture. Table 7-8 Agricultural Land Use in the Red Deer River Basin, 2001 Land Use Acres Percent Crop Land 5,196, % Summerfallow 544, % Tame/Seeded Pasture 1,294, % Natural Pasture 4,526, % Other 483, % Total 12,044, % The types of farming activity vary within the Red Deer Basin. Table 7-9 shows the classification of farms based on the commodity groups that accounted for 51 per cent or more of total gross farm receipts. Table 7-9 Classifications of Farms in the Red Deer Basin and Alberta, 2001 Percent of Farms Percent Alberta Farm Type in the Red Deer Share of Farm Type (Farms with Gross Receipts >$2,500) Basin Alberta (Percent) Dairy Farms 2.1% 33.2% 1.5% Cattle (beef) Farms 49.2% 26.6% 45.4% Hog Farms 2.3% 33.3% 1.7% Poultry & Egg Farms 1.2% 32.7% 0.9% Wheat Farms 6.1% 20.3% 7.4% Grain & Oilseed Farms 16.1% 21.4% 18.4% Field Crop Farms 7.5% 19.5% 9.3% Fruit Farms 0.1% 24.7% 0.1% Misc. Specialty Farms 11.4% 25.8% 10.9% Sum of Livestock Comb. Farms 2.2% 23.7% 2.3% Sum of Vegetable Farms 0.1% 15.8% 0.1% Sum of Other Comb Farms 1.7% 21.3% 2.0% Total 100.0% 24.5% 100.0% The table shows that 49 percent of the farms in the Basin raise beef cattle and about 16 percent of the farms are grain and oilseed farms. Specialty farms make up about 11 percent of the farms. Like Alberta, cattle (beef) farms are the most common farm type in the basin. However, the Red Deer River Basin contains a higher proportion of dairy, hog and poultry farms. Page 226

21 7.2.2 Stockwatering As noted in Table 7-9 about 55 percent of the farms in the Red Deer Basin were classified as livestock operations, primarily cattle. Estimated livestock populations for major species in 2001 are provided in Table The table shows that there about two million cattle and calves which, together, accounted for about 85 percent of livestock population in the Red Deer Basin in The population of cattle and calves is about 9.6 times the human population of the Basin. Other livestock in the Red Deer Basin included pigs, sheep and lamb, horses and ponies, bison, deer and elk. Table 7-10 Estimated Livestock Populations in the Red Deer Basin and Alberta, 2001 Livestock Species Basin Total Alberta % Alberta Hens and Chicken 3,096,101 12,175, % Turkey 134, , % Cattle 1,692,255 6,615, % Calves 555,218 2,169, % Pigs 705,622 2,027, % Sheep and Lamb 73, , % Horse and Ponies 44, , % Bison 12,179 79, % Deer 723 8, % Elk 5,336 31, % Water Allocation Overall 22,766 licences and registrations have been issued for livestock watering with total allocation amounting to 57,096 dam 3. In addition to these allocations, farmers are able to obtain up to 1,250 m 3 of water for household purposes and can also obtain water as exempted agricultural users. There is no information on either the numbers of such households or the amount of unlicensed water use in the basin. A historical perspective on water used for livestock is provided in Figure 7-8. The figure shows that some registrations were issued with priority dates in the 1890s while licences for stockwatering began to be issued in the early 1900s. Allocations for stockwatering have risen steadily since the 1920s, with substantial increases occurring in groundwater registrations which now account for about 50 percent of all allocations. Since 1990 water allocations have remained relatively steady at around 57,000 dam 3. Over the last few decades there has been an increase in the number of intensive livestock operations in Alberta, including feedlots. In the Red Deer Basin, the first allocations for feedlots were issued in the 1980s but are relatively minor, currently accounting for about three percent of total livestock water allocation. Page 227

22 Figure 7-8 Historical Trends in Water Allocation for Livestock in the Red Deer Basin 60,000 Cubic Decametres 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 Groundwater Licences Surface Registrations Groundwater Registrations Surface Licences Table 7-11 summarizes current water licences and registrations issued for livestock according to the water source. It shows that surface water accounts for about 30 percent of allowable diversions for livestock and that registrations account for 26 percent of allocations Licensed Water Use Table 7-11 shows that for the majority of licences and registrations for stockwatering there are no return flow allowances. There are allowances for return flows of 3.7 dam 3 from some surface water licences, but this represents less than 0.01 percent of total water allocations for livestock Actual Water Use There is no information in Alberta Environment s WURS that indicates the extent to which water allocations are actually used in the Red Deer Basin. However, a reasonable estimate of water use can be derived using the actual animal population in the Basin as shown in Table Based on livestock populations for the Red Deer Basin in 2001, the total water required for livestock was estimated to be 21,289 dam 3, or about 57 percent of the licensed allocation. The calculations for this estimate are provided also in Table 7-12 which shows livestock populations in the Basin and the daily water requirements for various livestock species as provided by Alberta Environment in its Guide to Calculate Quantities for Water for Raising Animals. In terms of water requirements by species, cattle account for about 85 percent of the total, about nine percent is required by pigs, one percent is required by poultry and all other species accounted for the remaining five percent. Page 228

23 Table 7-11 Summary of Water Licences and Registrations Issued for Livestock Watering in the Red Deer Basin Activity Source Licensed Allocation and Use Number of Licences/ Registrations Allocation Water Use Return Reported Actual Water Use Licensees Reporting Reported Use Feedlot Stock watering Registration Total Surface N/A Groundwater 86 1, , N/A Subtotal 96 1, , Surface 1,717 13, , N/A Groundwater 1,930 9, , N/A Subtotal 3,647 22, , Surface 9,676 3, , N/A Groundwater 9,347 9, , N/A Subtotal 19,023 13, , Surface 11,403 17, , N/A Groundwater 11,363 20, , N/A Total 22,766 37, , N/A Page 229

24 Table 7-12 Estimated Livestock Water Requirements for 2001 Livestock Species Daily Animal Annual Use Consumption Population (gallons) Hens and Chickens 3,096, Turkey 134, Bulls 30, Milk Cows 26, ,327.0 Beef Cows 571, ,534.5 Heifers 235, ,345.2 Steers 262, ,607.3 Calves 555, ,762.2 Boars 2, Sows and Gilts - Breeding 68, Nursing and Weaner Pigs 237, Grower and Finishing Pigs 384, Sheep and Lambs 73, Horse and Ponies 44, Bison 12, Deer Elk 5, Total 21,289.3 While the estimated actual consumption based on livestock populations (21,289 dam 3 ) appears to be less than the amount of water allocated (37,130 dam 3 ), the data in Table 7-12 do not include an allowance for the evaporative and seepage losses associated with storing water for livestock use. Typically, licensed consumption accounts for only 35 per cent of surface water allocated for livestock use while losses account for 65 percent (Watrecon 2005). Since 54 percent of livestock water consumption comes from groundwater (no losses) and the balance comes from surface water with 65 percent losses, a total allocation of 26,562 dam 3 would be required to support the animal populations in Table This water requirement is about is about 70 percent of the water allocation through licences and registrations. While the analysis suggests that allocations exceed actual livestock requirements, this may not necessarily be the case because many farmers have multiple registrations so that, in dry years, they will have sufficient water even if their dugouts are only half full Forecasts of Future Stockwatering Water Use Changing cattle populations in the Basin is the key factor affecting future livestock water demand. Cattle account for about 85 percent of livestock water demand in the Red Deer Basin, so changes in the populations of other livestock species will have a minimal overall impact on future water demand. The historical trend analysis in Figure 7-8 shows that the amount of water allocated for livestock has been increasing over time, suggesting an increasing livestock population. The data from the Census of Agriculture corroborates this finding; it shows that the cattle population increased between 1996 and Page 230

25 Some indication of the potential for expansion of cattle populations in the Red Deer River Basin can be determined by examining applications for new and expanded confined feeding operations, which must be approved by the NRCB in accordance with AOPA. Information from the NRCB in Table 7-13 indicates that, as of December 31, 2005, there had been 41 applications from farmers throughout the Basin for cattle and dairy operations, most of which were approved. Many of the livestock expansions approved in Alberta under AOPA have been in the Red Deer River Basin. Table 7-13 Status of Applications under AOPA in the Red Deer Basin Type of Application Number Withdrawn Approved Denied Approval Registrations Authorizations Total A study undertaken by AAFRD in the late 1990s also provides some insights regarding the potential for expansion of the beef industry in the province. That study identified several criteria manure, odour and population densities, local silage supplies, water supply, landscape characteristics and land for manure spreading to be considered in evaluating the capability of supporting a 5,000-head back grounding operation and a 20,000-head operation. Townships suitable for livestock expansions are shown in Figures 2-2 and 2-3 in Section 2.3. The figures show that more townships meet all of the criteria for backgrounding operations than finishing operations. For most townships that meet some of the criteria limiting factors include groundwater and landscape for backgrounding operations. For finishing operations relatively few townships meet any of the criteria. However, some townships meet some criteria but are limited by groundwater availability and landscape. Based on AAFRD s assessment, it would appear that livestock expansion in the Red Deer River Basin could occur and would most likely consist of 5,000-head operations. This assessment together with the information from the NRCB suggests that future expansion of livestock is likely. Projections of future water demands for livestock are based on the expectations that cattle populations will increase at annual rates somewhere between 1.2 percent (Low Growth) and 3.2 percent (High Growth). As Base Growth, annual rate is assumed to be 2.2 percent, which reflects average annual growth rate in cattle population in Alberta during This forecast also assumes that the current mix of livestock (85 percent cattle) and balance of surface and groundwater use will remain unchanged over the forecast period. The resulting projections, based on actual use are shown in Table Page 231

26 Table 7-14 Water Use for Livestock in the Red Deer River Basin Scenario Source Surface 15,066 15,992 16,975 18,018 19,125 Low Growth Medium Growth High Growth Groundwater 11,496 12,203 12,953 13,749 14,594 Total 26,562 28,195 29,927 31,767 33,719 Surface 15,066 16,798 18,729 20,882 23,282 Groundwater 11,496 12,818 14,291 15,934 17,765 Total 26,562 29,615 33,020 36,815 41,047 Surface 15,066 17,636 20,644 24,166 28,287 Groundwater 11,496 13,457 15,752 18,439 21,585 Total 26,562 31,093 36,397 42,605 49,872 Under the Low Scenario, water demand is projected to increase to 33,719 dam 3 by 2025; this represents a 27 percent increase over current use and is about the same as current allocations. Under the High Scenario, livestock water use would increase to 49,872 dam 3 by This increase is 90 percent higher than current livestock use and exceeds current allocation by 12,000 dam 3.. The proposed Special Areas Water Supply Project which would provide additional water (76,500 dam 3 ) to the Special Areas in the Basin is also noted. A socioeconomic assessment conducted by Watrecon (2005b) found that availability of water would allow farmers to grow the forage needed to support and expand livestock herds. However, discussions with Alberta Environment revealed that the project has not yet been initiated and assumptions of the project commencement would be speculative. Therefore, the forecasts exclude any effects from the Special Areas Water Supply Project. Furthermore, as will be explained in Section , there are limited opportunities to expand irrigation for forage; therefore, livestock growth is likely to occur only at Low Growth rate Irrigation The other major use of water for agricultural purposes is irrigation or crop watering. Although some licences have been issued for district irrigation in the Red Deer Basin, the acres actually irrigated are located outside the basin. However, these allocations are very small (28 dam 3 or 0.04 percent of allocation for irrigation). Almost of the irrigation in the Red Deer River Basin is done by private irrigators who have their own water licences and divert water using their own pumps and water distribution equipment. When aggregate information from the 2001 Census of Agriculture for individual counties and municipal districts is modified to reflect river Basin boundaries, the resulting estimates suggest that about 245,000 acres of land in the Red Deer River Basin were irrigated in This number could be incorrect however, because irrigation acres are not evenly distributed throughout each of the counties that make up the Basin and because of likelihood of inaccuracy in the Census data. A better estimate of the irrigated acres can be made based on water allocations and irrigation requirement of about 450 mm (18 inches). Based on this requirement Page 232

27 it is estimated that water allocations are sufficient to support irrigation on about 58,000 acres. There is no information on the mix of crops grown by private irrigators; AAFRD 1 has indicated that most private irrigation in Alberta is used to raise supplemental forages to feed livestock Water Allocation There are 495 private licences that allocate approximately 70,288 dam 3, for irrigation purposes. Over 99 percent of irrigation allocations are from surface water. The Red Deer River Basin accounts for about 10 percent of water allocations for private irrigation and about 20 percent of the private irrigation licences in Alberta. A historical perspective on water used for irrigation is provided in Figure 7-9. The figure shows that allocation for irrigation commenced in about Water allocations began to increase in the 1920s and grew very rapidly in the 1960s and 1070s. Since the 1980s, allocations have remained stable. As of 2005, about 70,000 dam 3 had been allocated to private irrigation. Figure 7-9 Historical Trends in Surface Water Allocation for Irrigation in the Red Deer Basin 80,000 Cubic Decametres 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 Private Irrigation District Irrigation Licensed Water Use Table 7-15 summarizes the water licences issued for irrigation according to water source. The table shows that licences issued for surface water assume that up to 97 percent of the total allocation will be used and that only three percent (1951 dam 3 ) will be returned to surface sources. No return flow is associated with groundwater allocation. 1 Cited in Watrecon (2005) as Personal communication, Wally Chinn, Head - Irrigation Development Section, Irrigation Branch, AAFRD, January 7, Page 233

28 Table 7-15 Irrigation Allocations and Use and Reported Actual Water Use, Red Deer River Basin Activity District irrigation Private irrigation Total Source Licensed Allocation and Use Reported Actual Water Use Number of Licences/ Licensees Reported Registrations Allocation Water Use Return Reporting Use Surface N/A Groundwater N/A Subtotal N/A Surface , , , N/A Groundwater N/A Subtotal , , , N/A Surface , , , N/A Groundwater N/A Total , , , N/A Page 234

29 Actual Water Use Neither AAFRD nor AENV has any information on actual water use by private irrigators. For the purposes of this study it is assumed that actual use is equal to licensed water use. However, water use in any given year will depend on how much of the crop water demand can be satisfied by natural precipitation. It is noteworthy that water allocated for crop watering use is 2.6 times the amount of water that can be used for stockwatering Forecasts of Future Irrigation Water Use With expansion of livestock, additional demand for livestock forage is expected. The historical trend provided in Figure 7-9 shows that water allocation for irrigation has increased over time, suggesting that past increases in livestock have led to increased water demand for expansion in irrigated crop areas. However, future expansion of irrigated acres is unlikely given limited water supply in the Basin. Irrigation is a capital intensive operation but the net returns from forage production are not great (Watrecon 2005). Although the Special Areas Water Supply Project would provide water (76,500 dam 3 ) to irrigate additional 25,000 acres, discussions with Alberta Environment revealed that the project has not been initiated and assumptions of the project commencement would be speculative. Therefore, irrigation water use is expected to remain unchanged from current level of 68,366 dam 3 over the forecast period. Additional forage for livestock expansion would have to be accommodated within the existing irrigation allocations Summary In summary, current agricultural water use in the Red Deer Basin is estimated to be about 94,900 dam 3, of which 72 percent is for irrigation and 28 percent is for livestock. In the future, agricultural water demand in the Basin is expected to increase as a result of expansion of livestock populations. Demand for irrigation is expected to remain constant. A summary of future agricultural water demand is provided in Table Table 7-16 Projected Water Use for Agriculture in the Red Deer River Basin Scenario Source Surface 83,371 84,297 85,280 86,323 87,431 Low Growth Medium Growth High Growth Groundwater 11,528 12,235 12,985 13,781 14,626 Total 94,899 96,532 98, , ,056 Surface 83,371 85,103 87,034 89,187 91,587 Groundwater 11,528 12,850 14,323 15,966 17,797 Total 94,899 97, , , ,384 Surface 83,371 85,941 88,949 92,471 96,593 Groundwater 11,528 13,489 15,784 18,471 21,617 Total 94,899 99, , , ,209 According to the forecasts, agricultural water use in 2025 would be about 102,056 dam 3 under the Based Case, which represents an increase of eight percent from Under High Case, Page 235

30 water use is projected increase by 25 percent over current levels to about 118,209 dam COMMERCIAL SECTOR There are 248 licences that allow diversion of about 9,948 dam 3 of water in the Red Deer Basin. This allocation accounts for three percent of total allocations in the Basin Water Allocations As shown in Figure 7-10, more than 60 percent of the water allocations for commercial purposes are for parks and recreation (78 licences with allocation of 6,032 dam 3 ). Other important commercial activities include golf courses (52 licences with allocation of 1,310 dam 3 ) and aggregate washing (21 licences with allocation of 941 dam 3 ). Allocations for all other commercial activities are relatively minor, accounting for 16 percent of the total. Figure 7-10 Water Allocation for Commercial Activities in the Red Deer Basin Rail/Transport <1% Food processing 5% Other 1% Parks and recreation 62% Golf course 13% Aggregate washing 9% Bottling 1% Construction 1% Gardening 7% Water hauling 1% Licences issued for the commercial sector allow maximum withdrawals of about 8,696 dam 3 of surface water; surface water accounts for 86 percent of allocations for commercial purposes. The largest surface water allocation is for parks and recreation which accounts for about 70 percent of the total surface water allocation. Fourteen percent of commercial allocations are for groundwater with licences for 1,251 dam 3. The largest groundwater allocation is for golf courses which account for about 20 percent of total groundwater allocations. A historical trend of commercial sector allocation in the Red Deer Basin is provided in Figure The earliest allocations began in the 1900s for groundwater but the allocations remained relatively unchanged constant until the 1950s. Since that time groundwater allocations increased gradually but have remained relatively constant since 2000s. The first surface water allocations were issued in the 1900s and remained relatively unchanged until the 1920s. Since Page 236

31 that time there have been sharp increases in allocations related to parks and recreation and gardening activities, although there have been no additional allocations since Overall, groundwater allocations make up a small proportion of total water allocations for commercial purposes. Figure 7-11 Historical Trend in Commercial Sector Water Allocation in the Red Deer Basin Cubic Decametres 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 Surfacewater Groundwater Licensed Water Use Table 7-17 provides a summary of licensed water allocations, use and return for various activities within the commercial sector in the Red Deer Basin. The table shows that return flow allowances in licences totalled 3,256 dam 3 (33 percent of allocation) are to be returned. Return flow allowances in licences amount to 37 percent of surface water allocations but only two percent of groundwater allocations. Return flow requirements ranged from 13 percent for aggregate washing to 36 percent for bottling to 52 percent for parks and recreation to 82 percent for construction Actual Water Use At the present time Alberta Environment s Water Use Reporting System (WURS) contains very little information on actual water use in 2005 by the any of the licensees in commercial sector in the Red Deer Basin. The data base contains only one report for parks and recreation and the reported use of 0.2 dam 3 represents less than 0.01 percent of total allocation for that activity. Given the lack of information on actual water use for commercial purposed it is assumed that all licensees are withdrawing and using the full amounts of water to which they are entitled. While this assumption may overstate actual water use in the basin, the commercial sector accounts for three percent of total allocations so it will not appreciably affect overall water use estimate for the Red Deer Basin. Page 237

32 Activity Aggregate washing Bottling Construction Golf courses Gardening Water hauling Parks and recreation Rail/transport Food processing Other Total Table 7-17 Licensed Commercial Allocations and Reported Actual Water Use, Red Deer Basin Source Licensed Allocation and Use Reported Actual Water Use Number of Licensees Reported Percent of Licences Allocation Water Use Return Reporting Use Allocation Surface Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface 30 1, , N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal 52 1, , N/A N/A Surface N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface 34 5, , , <0.01 Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal 78 6, , , <0.01 Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface <0.001 Groundwater N/A Subtotal <0.001 Surface N/A N/A Groundwater N/A N/A Subtotal N/A N/A Surface 112 8, , , N/A N/A Groundwater 136 1, , N/A N/A Total 248 9, , , N/A N/A Page 238

33 7.3.4 Forecasts of Future Water Use Since most of the allocation (84 percent) is for three activities parks and recreation, golf course and aggregate washing- forecasts of future demand focuses on those activities Parks and Recreation Water use projections are tied to population growth and scenarios range from 0.5 percent annual growth (Low) to 2.1 percent (High), with 1.3 percent used as the Medium Growth scenario. The resulting forecasts of water use are shown in Table Under the Low Growth scenario, water use for parks and recreation is projected to increase to 3,279 dam 3 by 2025, a 10 percent increase from current levels. Under High Growth, water use is expected to increase to 4,497 dam 3 which is a 52 percent increase over current use. Table 7-18 Forecast of Parks and Recreation Water Use in Red Deer Scenario Source Surface 2,793 2,863 2,936 3,010 3,086 Low Growth Medium Growth High Growth Golf Courses Groundwater Total 2,967 3,042 3,119 3,198 3,279 Surface 2,793 2,979 3,178 3,390 3,616 Groundwater Total 2,967 3,165 3,376 3,602 3,842 Surface 2,793 3,099 3,438 3,814 4,232 Groundwater Total 2,967 3,292 3,653 4,053 4,497 The water demand forecast has been developed using the approach outlined in Watrecon (2005) for the Battle Basin which tied water use to the number of golf courses in the Basin and changes in the number of golf courses was related to population growth. This forecast assumes that the proportion of surface and groundwater use does not change over the forecast period relative to 2005 and that actual water use equals allocations. The resulting projections are shown in Table Under the Low Growth scenario, water use is expected to increase to 1,517 dam 3 by 2025; this indicates a 15 percent increase from current use. Using High Growth, water demand is projected to increase to 3,517 dam 3 by 2025 which is 2.7 times the current water use. Page 239