Irrigation is central to the functioning of the southern Alberta economy. Irrigation also uses a ... more Irrigation is central to the functioning of the southern Alberta economy. Irrigation also uses a significant amount of what is expected to be an increasingly scarce resource: water. The Alberta government is embarking on a long-term water management strategy in which irrigation water management will be pivotal. The government is considering a range of economic instruments to assist in this management. One instrument already implemented is the ability of private irrigators and irrigators within irrigation districts to trade irrigation water rights on a temporary and permanent basis. This has established the foundation for water markets. The research presented in this thesis centers on establishing the characteristics of irrigation water markets in southern Alberta. The research also aims to determine I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Kurt Klein for encouraging me to undertake this degree and focus on water research. Thank you for the countless hours involved in reviewing this thesis, providing me direction and valuable advice. You have also provided me with the privilege of being the first person to complete an M.A. in Agricultural Studies at the University of Lethbridge.
Path dependence and critical junctures theory has evolved from first aiming to capture specific e... more Path dependence and critical junctures theory has evolved from first aiming to capture specific economic phenomena to explaining a host of social phenomena across a wide variety of disciplines. At this early stage in a planned research program, this paper will provide a literature review of path dependence and critical junctures. The subsequent study will focus on the history of urban-rural tension in the Calgary, Alberta region of Canada and the recent partnership that seeks to chart a new trajectory, which includes a vital water-sharing component. Paying particular attention to the potential access to water, the study will seek to determine whether powerful actors can vanquish an acrimonious path dependent past and carve out a new trajectory through what may potentially be a critical juncture.
ABSTRACT Private irrigators account for about one-quarter of total irrigated area in southern Alb... more ABSTRACT Private irrigators account for about one-quarter of total irrigated area in southern Alberta with the balance of irrigation taking place within 13 irrigation districts. Some 1,367 private irrigation license holders exist in Alberta with a total irrigable area of more than 125,000 hectares. This group’s participation in achieving the province’s Water for Life objective of a 30 percent increase in water efficiency and productivity is important. Based on a random survey of private irrigators, it was found that they are grounded in family farm traditions, have been slow to adopt improved irrigation technologies and management practices in the past, and have even less intention of doing so in the future. A host of factors are causing this low adoption rate, but foremost are financial constraints and physical field conditions. Large cash subsidies or the establishment of additional processing facilities especially for Timothy hay and alfalfa would be required to motivate this group to adopt improved irrigation technologies. Adopting improved management practices may occur more readily since these would not involve large financial outlays. Water savings may be possible since the decision of when and how much to irrigate continues to be based on the long-standing tradition of eye-balling the crop’s condition and judging the weather.
... 1 Department of Economics, University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge, Alberta. CANADA. ... The sur... more ... 1 Department of Economics, University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge, Alberta. CANADA. ... The survey was conducted by telephone between March 1 and March 31, 2006. A list of private irrigator names and locations was obtained from Alberta Environment, Lethbridge office. ...
In Alberta the passage of the Water Act of 1999 and the Irrigation Districts Act of 2000 enabled ... more In Alberta the passage of the Water Act of 1999 and the Irrigation Districts Act of 2000 enabled water license holders to transfer water rights on a permanent basis and water allocations on a temporary basis, establishing the foundation for water markets. This study explores water market activity in southern Alberta, focusing on the temporary transfer of water allocations by the region's dominant water consumer: irrigators. Irrigators in the region's largest irrigation district were surveyed. It was found that the characteristics of the water market conform to characteristics of water markets elsewhere. Most notable is that the market provided flexibility to producers to manage water during times of water supply constraints and in so doing, enhanced water productivity and efficiency. However, water market activity in southern Alberta is very limited and will likely remain so under the current water management regime.
A safe and plentiful supply of surface water is crucial to the well-being of every resident of Al... more A safe and plentiful supply of surface water is crucial to the well-being of every resident of Alberta. The effective and efficient use of surface water is central to economic growth and environmental sustainability. As the necessary but competing demands on surface water intensify, the awareness of its limited supply increases. This is particularly evident in southern Alberta, which has
Water resources are being stretched to the limit in Alberta and irrigation activities account for... more Water resources are being stretched to the limit in Alberta and irrigation activities account for more than 70 percent of consumptive water use in the province. Conflicts among users and potential users may be looming. Pollution of surface water and groundwater and outbreaks of water-borne pathogens have been increasing. Freshwater systems are likely to deteriorate further with impending climate change.
Water is essential for sustainable agricultural development - for irrigation of crops, livestock ... more Water is essential for sustainable agricultural development - for irrigation of crops, livestock watering, processing, and sustaining farm families. Agriculture uses 71 percent of all water diverted for consumptive use in Canada (Environment Canada, 2004), and is by far the greatest water consumer in Canada. In the absence of a Canadian national water strategy, Alberta has developed a long-term water management plan called the Water for Life Strategy. Its successful implementation will depend largely on the participation of irrigators. This study explores the reaction of irrigators to one of the strategy's main goals - a 30 percent increase in water use efficiency and productivity by 2015 over 2005 levels. The study reveals that irrigators vary significantly in their views as to the extent to which this goal can be reached, and the means by which it should be achieved within agriculture. Further, these responses reflect differences among irrigation districts relating to the ext...
a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w... more a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / a g w a t 0378-3774/$ -see front matter #
a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w... more a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / a g w a t 0378-3774/$ -see front matter #
Irrigation is central to the functioning of the southern Alberta economy. Irrigation also uses a ... more Irrigation is central to the functioning of the southern Alberta economy. Irrigation also uses a significant amount of what is expected to be an increasingly scarce resource: water. The Alberta government is embarking on a long-term water management strategy in which irrigation water management will be pivotal. The government is considering a range of economic instruments to assist in this management. One instrument already implemented is the ability of private irrigators and irrigators within irrigation districts to trade irrigation water rights on a temporary and permanent basis. This has established the foundation for water markets. The research presented in this thesis centers on establishing the characteristics of irrigation water markets in southern Alberta. The research also aims to determine I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Kurt Klein for encouraging me to undertake this degree and focus on water research. Thank you for the countless hours involved in reviewing this thesis, providing me direction and valuable advice. You have also provided me with the privilege of being the first person to complete an M.A. in Agricultural Studies at the University of Lethbridge.
Path dependence and critical junctures theory has evolved from first aiming to capture specific e... more Path dependence and critical junctures theory has evolved from first aiming to capture specific economic phenomena to explaining a host of social phenomena across a wide variety of disciplines. At this early stage in a planned research program, this paper will provide a literature review of path dependence and critical junctures. The subsequent study will focus on the history of urban-rural tension in the Calgary, Alberta region of Canada and the recent partnership that seeks to chart a new trajectory, which includes a vital water-sharing component. Paying particular attention to the potential access to water, the study will seek to determine whether powerful actors can vanquish an acrimonious path dependent past and carve out a new trajectory through what may potentially be a critical juncture.
ABSTRACT Private irrigators account for about one-quarter of total irrigated area in southern Alb... more ABSTRACT Private irrigators account for about one-quarter of total irrigated area in southern Alberta with the balance of irrigation taking place within 13 irrigation districts. Some 1,367 private irrigation license holders exist in Alberta with a total irrigable area of more than 125,000 hectares. This group’s participation in achieving the province’s Water for Life objective of a 30 percent increase in water efficiency and productivity is important. Based on a random survey of private irrigators, it was found that they are grounded in family farm traditions, have been slow to adopt improved irrigation technologies and management practices in the past, and have even less intention of doing so in the future. A host of factors are causing this low adoption rate, but foremost are financial constraints and physical field conditions. Large cash subsidies or the establishment of additional processing facilities especially for Timothy hay and alfalfa would be required to motivate this group to adopt improved irrigation technologies. Adopting improved management practices may occur more readily since these would not involve large financial outlays. Water savings may be possible since the decision of when and how much to irrigate continues to be based on the long-standing tradition of eye-balling the crop’s condition and judging the weather.
... 1 Department of Economics, University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge, Alberta. CANADA. ... The sur... more ... 1 Department of Economics, University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge, Alberta. CANADA. ... The survey was conducted by telephone between March 1 and March 31, 2006. A list of private irrigator names and locations was obtained from Alberta Environment, Lethbridge office. ...
In Alberta the passage of the Water Act of 1999 and the Irrigation Districts Act of 2000 enabled ... more In Alberta the passage of the Water Act of 1999 and the Irrigation Districts Act of 2000 enabled water license holders to transfer water rights on a permanent basis and water allocations on a temporary basis, establishing the foundation for water markets. This study explores water market activity in southern Alberta, focusing on the temporary transfer of water allocations by the region's dominant water consumer: irrigators. Irrigators in the region's largest irrigation district were surveyed. It was found that the characteristics of the water market conform to characteristics of water markets elsewhere. Most notable is that the market provided flexibility to producers to manage water during times of water supply constraints and in so doing, enhanced water productivity and efficiency. However, water market activity in southern Alberta is very limited and will likely remain so under the current water management regime.
A safe and plentiful supply of surface water is crucial to the well-being of every resident of Al... more A safe and plentiful supply of surface water is crucial to the well-being of every resident of Alberta. The effective and efficient use of surface water is central to economic growth and environmental sustainability. As the necessary but competing demands on surface water intensify, the awareness of its limited supply increases. This is particularly evident in southern Alberta, which has
Water resources are being stretched to the limit in Alberta and irrigation activities account for... more Water resources are being stretched to the limit in Alberta and irrigation activities account for more than 70 percent of consumptive water use in the province. Conflicts among users and potential users may be looming. Pollution of surface water and groundwater and outbreaks of water-borne pathogens have been increasing. Freshwater systems are likely to deteriorate further with impending climate change.
Water is essential for sustainable agricultural development - for irrigation of crops, livestock ... more Water is essential for sustainable agricultural development - for irrigation of crops, livestock watering, processing, and sustaining farm families. Agriculture uses 71 percent of all water diverted for consumptive use in Canada (Environment Canada, 2004), and is by far the greatest water consumer in Canada. In the absence of a Canadian national water strategy, Alberta has developed a long-term water management plan called the Water for Life Strategy. Its successful implementation will depend largely on the participation of irrigators. This study explores the reaction of irrigators to one of the strategy's main goals - a 30 percent increase in water use efficiency and productivity by 2015 over 2005 levels. The study reveals that irrigators vary significantly in their views as to the extent to which this goal can be reached, and the means by which it should be achieved within agriculture. Further, these responses reflect differences among irrigation districts relating to the ext...
a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w... more a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / a g w a t 0378-3774/$ -see front matter #
a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w... more a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / a g w a t 0378-3774/$ -see front matter #
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