Released on July 29, 2013
Today, the Water Security Agency announced nearly $5 million to rehabilitate a portion of the M1 Canal.
“The M1 Canal creates a major economic benefit to the people of Saskatchewan,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff said. “Our government is committed to ensuring the economy continues to grow by providing producers, municipalities, industrial clients, parks and wildlife a reliable water supply.”
The rehabilitation work will begin in September and consists of enlarging and relining 1.3 km of the canal and retrofitting two concrete check structures. The project is expected to be completed by July 2014.
With this announcement, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $11 million into the rehabilitation of the M1 Canal since 2010. This is part of a multi-year project to rehabilitate all of the M1 Canal.
“The M1 Canal is a vital piece of infrastructure for irrigators in the province,” Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Chair Rodger Pederson said. “Irrigation plays a major role in Saskatchewan’s agricultural economy and we support the government’s commitment to rehabilitating this structure as we continue to focus on expanding irrigation across Saskatchewan.”
Constructed in the 1960s, the M1 Canal is a 22.5 km long water supply canal extending from Lake Diefenbaker to Broderick Reservoir near Outlook. The canal provides water for 37,000 acres of irrigation in the Saskatchewan River Irrigation District.
The M1 Canal also provides water to the Saskatoon South East Water Supply system. This system supplies water to a further 18,000 acres of irrigation, five reservoirs, towns and villages, three potash mines, 13 wetlands projects and the Blackstrap Provincial Park
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. This new agency brings together, for the first time, all of the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: patrick.boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997