Drainage from an Irrigation District Perspective IRRIGATED CROP PRODUCTION UPDATE LETHBRIDGE, JANUARY 20, 2016 CHRIS GALLAGHER, P.ENG DISTRICT MANAGER, TABER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Acknowledgements Ted Harms, Soil and Water Specialist, AF, Brooks, AB Bruce Shewfelt, PBS Water Engineering Ltd., Morden, MB Jack Dunsmore, MD of Taber Jason Cayford, EP, Lethbridge
Overview of TID Approach
Specialty Crop Country 83,263 irrigated acres (2014) 3 reservoirs 142 km canals 195 km pipelines
TID as Receiving Body Taber Irrigation District receives and conveys the majority of storm and drain water generated within our boundaries into our canals, reservoirs & drains: Directly drain inlets off the field Indirectly via neighbour s field, MD road borrow This affects TID hydraulically: Capacity, scour/sedimentation, sloughing This affects TID water quality: TSS, nutrients, biological Consent of receiving body required for Water Act Approval
TID Strategic Plan Objective 1.2 Goal #1: Provide the Best Possible Water Quality Objective 1.2: Improve water quality throughout the district through a surface water mitigation program that will Prioritize problems Collaborate to improve land management and stormwater control Develop administrative tools such as proactive runoff conveyance agreements Install engineered solutions such as holding ponds, controlled drain inlets, and integrated water treatment structures/processes into drains and reservoirs
TID General Approach to Drainage Infrastructure TID is the default drainage conveyance in our area When pipelines are installed, we retain the canal s drainage function To regulate reservoir and spillway inflows To accommodate historical conveyance from adjacent fields To retain regional drainage We work to attenuate flood surges and mitigate water quality Use old canal like detention pond Allow or promote vegetation to act as filter
TID Lateral 3 East Horsefly
Drainage Requests in TID Types Incomplete Drainage Wet pockets (tractor traps) Trapped Lows Relocation of drainage course Urban Development or Re- Development Methods Tile Drain (Gravity/Pump) Surface Gravity Surface Pump
TID Approach to Drainage Policy (1/2) Evolving process still learning Requested or identified new or changed drainage Farmer-centred approach Improved land management through soil-water management Irrigation and drainage to optimize soil moisture Input management to meet crop requirements Gary Sands University of Minnesota
TID Approach to Drainage Policy (2/2) Comply with legal requirements Water Act, MGA, IDA Avoid adverse impact to other water users Maximize benefit to district Hydrology Water Quality Evolving
Current Forms of TID Consent Letter of Consent with Conditions typical agricultural Condition #1 is that Approvals under applicable Acts are required Water Act Wetland Policy Condition #2 is other party consent required (eg. MD for road borrow use) Others such as ability to regulate/shut off, erosion protection, liability Water Conveyance Agreement urban municipal, industrial, large Similar conditions, only formalized Both encourage use of good design and BMPs
Field Drainage Design
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Gary Sands University of Minnesota
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Conservation Drainage KEEPING YOUR INPUTS & IMPROVING DRAIN WATER QUALITY
Gary Sands University of Minnesota
Management Strategies (1/3) Liebig s Law of the Minimum: Yield is limited by the nutrient that is in the least supply Over-application leachate is wasted & can enter TID Follow best management for application. Eg. incorporation, banding http://yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/three-steps/step-1/
Management Strategies (2/3) Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Management Strategies (3/3) Slide from Ted Harms, Agriculture and Forestry
Modify Drainage Systems Strategies (1/2) Drainage Water Management From WQ-44, Purdue Extension
Modify Drainage System Strategies (2/2) Recycling Drainage Drainage runs to on-farm collection reservoir Pump from reservoir through main irrigation system Subirrigation Irrigate Dry Pond with Alfalfa, Timothy Hay or other forage crop Excess runs to irrigation district drainage Mitigated by residence in primary recycling system Retention slow release Emergency overflow
Edge of Field and Downstream Strategies (1/3)
Edge of Field and D/S Strategies (2/3) Saturated Buffers Gary Sands University of Minnesota
Edge of Field and D/S Strategies (3/3) Grassed Swale in TID Gary Sands University of Minnesota
Wetlands Taber Reservoir Gary Sands University of Minnesota
Summary TID recognizes the desire to manage excess water TID encourages on-site management TID will accept drainage WITH CONDITIONS We are all learning about best management practices Conditions are evolving Chris Gallagher, TID 403-223-2148 cgallagher@taberirrigationdistrict.ca www.taberirrigationdistrict.ca