Open Government Portal

Irrigation is the provision of water to crops beyond what is provided by local rainfall. Irrigation is a vital part of agriculture in certain areas of Canada like the southern Prairies and the interior of British Columbia. The amount of water that needs to be withdrawn for irrigation varies annually. It depends on winter precipitation, and weather and soil moisture during the growing season.

Number of farms and percentage of irrigation water by water source, province and drainage region.

This table shows irrigated crop area and, of those farms that reported having irrigated in the past, the number of farms that irrigated and the number of farms that did not irrigate. Data are available on a biennial basis.

Number of farms and percentage of off-farm water by irrigation water source and province.

Number of farms that stopped irrigating or did not irrigate by reason, province and drainage region.

Number of farms by reason for using an off-farm irrigation water source and province.

This product provides information on Irrigation in Alberta by District, for an eight-year period. Total Assessment Roll Area, Acres Actually Irrigated by Alberta Districts are included

Canada has one of the most plentiful supplies of fresh water in the world. However, this supply is not limitless, and must be shared among many users. The agriculture sector is one of many competitors for this resource: It uses about 9% of the water withdrawn in Canada. The four western provinces drew 90% of all water withdrawn in Canada for agriculture in 2001.

Stream flow data are available for a number of streams across the province. New Stream flow data is available from June through September. Those who hold a Water Withdrawal for Irrigation Purposes Permit can use this tool to confirm the water flow in Island streams, and to determine whether they may legally draw water for irrigation purposes.

Number of farms by irrigation method and crop type.