The Quill Lakes Basin is a large wetland area in Saskatchewan that consists of three bodies of water: Big Quill Lake, Mud Lake and Little Quill Lake. Wet cycles, including 2010 to 2014, caused water levels to rise in the Quill lakes, resulting in farmland, infrastructure and property being threatened by flooding.
To help address future impacts, the Water Security Agency (WSA) has been working to identify solutions that will not only mitigate the risk of flooding, but also increase the productivity of agricultural lands in the area.
One option being considered is using inlet water for irrigation purposes. The water in the Quill lakes is very saline and would not be suitable to use for irrigation. Therefore, the goal for developing irrigation in the basin is to capture high-quality water before it reaches the Quill lakes. This would require water to be stored through in-stream reservoirs, off-stream storage and wetland storage.
WSA is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture on various small-scale irrigation development projects across the province, including the Quill lakes, where we support each other through knowledge transfer, data management and client service. For the Quill lakes study, WSA hired consulting firm KGS Group to complete an irrigation potential assessment that will, among other things, identify potential storage locations.
Three potential storage options are being considered:
In-Stream Reservoirs
In-stream reservoirs capture water flow by constructing a dam or weir within a river or stream. This study identified example options around the Quill lakes, including the existing Elfros and Helgasson community dams (i.e., rural municipality owned and operated dams).
Off-Stream Reservoirs
Off-stream reservoirs capture spring runoff and provide water storage for irrigation. It is the most flexible type of development, which is also the most expensive to build and operate. Off-stream reservoir projects are scalable to small, medium or large developments from two to 16 irrigation pivots. Good quality water can be captured in spring and used throughout the rest of the growing season using this method.
Wetlands
Wetlands are low-lying areas that hold water and are numerous around the Quill lakes. They range in size and can potentially be consolidated to create additional storage. A potential constraint for using wetlands as storage for irrigation is the risk that water quality will become poor later in the growing season.
In 2022, WSA commissioned a study which identified 29 potential irrigated areas across the province comprising more than 200,000 acres. These irrigation projects have the potential to reduce water levels in the Quill lakes by two to four inches over a 50-year period, while also bringing significant economic benefits. It is estimated there would be a $1.2-million net benefit if 24 quarter section irrigation pivots are developed. This is a win-win for the environment, local producers and the provincial economy.
Although the impact to the lake levels is small, irrigation development could be one of multiple tools to respond to landowner concerns in this area. WSA is committed to working with local landowners to identify interest in the prioritized areas. Some of these areas could use existing infrastructure for storage—for example, around the Elfros and Helgasson dams.
Investing in irrigation infrastructure in the Quill Lakes Basin is a potential tool that could provide numerous local benefits. It provides drought-proofing and the ability to grow higher-value crops and increase yields. This results in an increase of on-farm profits and local jobs, and will provide economic sustainability to the area. While it is a significant investment, WSA will continue to provide support to landowners who show interest.
Expanding irrigable land is one of the 30 Goals for 2030 in Saskatchewan's Plan For Growth. By 2030, the plan is to add 85,000 new irrigated acres and attract private sector investment for additional irrigation development in Saskatchewan.