2017 Annual ReportSouth Saskatchewan River Irrigation District No.1

3/1/2018

Brian Bartel

South Saskatchewan River Irrigation District No.1

General Managers Report

SSRID had a very challenging year in 2017. On June 5th there was a failure at the 2B wasteway structure along the B2 canal. A channel started in front of the structure and forced its way through washing out the entire structure. At that time we diverted the canal to run on the eastside of the structure and all the water was immediately shut off for the entire B2 system. On June the 6th the site was analyzed and a plan was set in place to install bypass pipes. On June 7th all necessary pipe was hauled to site and ready for installation. By June 8th the bypass pipes were installed and water was turned back on to supply the B2 canal. By June 10th the canal volume of water was high enough to accommodate for the required flows of the irrigators.

It was also a very challenging year due to drought conditions from the month of June until harvest. The irrigation and high water table from the 2016 season helped the spring germination, but as the season progressed it quickly changed to drought conditions.

SSRID is presently constructing two new high pressure pipeline projects to be fed off of the M1 canal. These projects will accommodate for approximately 1500 new irrigated acres in the district. We are hoping to have them completed by the 2018 season.

There has also been a large increase in tile drainage within the district. These systems seem to be working very well and have also added new acres to the district.

The staff at SSRID did a wonderful job this past season, the volume of water was the highest in 20 years and they kept up with the demand required. If we witness another drought in 2018, the water flow requirements will increase substantially.

The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, Growing Forward 2(FRWIP GF2) is now finished and SSRID was able to utilize the allocated funds available to us in the amount of $7 million. In the future there will be another program offered to the landowners called the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) Program. Further details of this program will be available at the Ministry of Agriculture office.

SSRID’s Water Usage:

2015 2016 20170.0000

2,000.0000

4,000.0000

6,000.0000

8,000.0000

10,000.0000

12,000.0000

14,000.0000

MayJunJulAugSep

2015: 18,361.3393ac/ft2016: 7,353.1570ac/ft2017: 24,949.3876ac/ft

2017 Pumping and Water Usage Calculation

Pumped East Side Pump Plant 53,598.14 ac/ft.

Loss (Gain) in Broderick Reservoir -687.9 ac/ft.

Actual usage including losses 52,910.20 ac.ft. (B)

DISTRICT DIVERSIONS

Diverted from canal “M1” 7,456.27 ac/ft.

Diverted from west outlet Brod. Res. “M2” 24,316.52 ac/ft.

Diverted from S.S.W.E.S. (east outlet) 98.1 ac/ft.

TOTAL DISTRICT DIVERSIONS 31,870.9 ac/ft. (I)

Diverted for SWC into SSEWS 16,338.1 ac/ft. (A)

TOTAL DIVERSIONS 48,209.0 ac/ft. (D)

Loss in M1 & Broderick Reservoir: 52,910.20 – 48,209.0 = 4,576.9 ac/ft (L)

Electrical costs for pumping = $215,473.54 (C)

SSRID share: 1-(A+(A/(A+I)*L)/B) = 66.11% * 215,473.54 = $142,449.55 (Power cost 2017)

2017 SSRID Operations & Maintenance of M1 canal, Broderick Reservoir and SSEWS canal = $36,456.25

SSRID share: 50% = $18,228.13

Saskwater share: 50% = 18,228.13

23%

37%

22%

11% 7%

2017 Irrigation Crop Survey

CerealsOil SeedsPulsesForageSpecialty Crops

M1 Update:M1 Canal Rehabilitation – Reach 6D & Major Structures Package No. 4

Construction activities for the period February 8, 2018 to February 21, 2018.

The weather conditions were below normal for this construction period. Recorded temperatures varied from a high of +1°C (February 13) to a low of -30˚C

(February 12 and 21). There was 1 precipitation event recorded. 2cm of snow with freezing rain was recorded February 14.

The BYZ work force averaged 7 to 16 people (including subcontractors) for the first half of the shift and then increased to 14 people for the second half of the shift. Equipment presently on site: 9 excavators (two are long reach, one is a mini), 3 dozers (2 are set up with GPS), grader, tractor and disc, packer, 3 rock trucks, 4 rock boxes, loader, fuel tanks, parts/service trailers and site trailer.

The BYZ work force met on site each morning then split up into different directions. There are 2 pump sites which BYZ was awarded to install. One at M1-39D in Reach 5B and one in Reach 6D at M1-57A. BYZ was also awarded a small pipe line project in Riverhurst.

A small work force remained at Reach 6D and concentrated their efforts on the toe drainage system along the right side of the canal. To date the toe drain has been roughly excavated from the start of Reach 6D to M1-56A Turnout. Erosion protection has been placed at the inlet sides of the Type II Drain inlet and the 4 Type I Drain Inlets.

The contractor also completed 45m of excavation of open ditch, requested by SSRID, to tie the riprap outlet basin of the cross drain to the drain ditch previously excavated by SSRID.

The overshot gates, hoists and walkways for Check 58 arrived on site February 15. BYZ installed the items. To date the gates, hoists, walkways with hand rails have been installed and the operators are ready to be wired.

Electrical subcontractor was on site most days working at the control building. To date the conduit to the stilling well has been installed and backfilled with assistance from BYZ. Heat, interior lighting, transfer switch, control panel and power controller have been installed. All coring through the walls of the control building has been completed. The outside cable box to the deck is in place. The cable tray on the deck has not been installed as yet.

BYZ has been installing the screen guides and stop log guides at the turnout structures. 3 of the 4 structures have been completed.

Some of the BYZ earthworks crew will be on holidays next week. It was decided to suspend earthwork activities on Reach 6D for a week as the canal interior has been completed. The BYZ underground crew will still be around either in Riverhurst or at the pump wells.

Construction activities expected for the upcoming work period.

Complete the miscellaneous metals at the Turnouts and Drain Inlets. Continue with excavation of the toe drains. Electrical subcontractor is expected to continue installing electrical components in the

control building and start wiring to the gate operators.

M1 Canal Rehabilitation – Reach 6B.2 & 6C

The Kowal work force 11 - 15 people. Equipment presently on site: 4 excavators, 1 mini-hoe, 3 dozers, 1 grader, tractor and disc, 1 vibrating compactor, 2 rock trucks, 1 tandem truck, 1 loader, 1 scraper, 1 skid steer, 1 water truck, mechanic repair truck, parts/service trailers and site trailer.

Liner and armour complete for 1572 m. 117m beneath bridge M1-53 and turnout M1-53B remain.

Reach 6B.2: M1-52 and M1-52A Type 1 drain inlet culverts complete with boots installed. Portion of riprap installed at bottom of canal. Work on inlet side outstanding.

Reach 6C: M1-53A, M1-54A and M1-54B Type 1 drain inlet culverts complete inside the canal. Work on inlet side outstanding.

Toe drain right and left bank rough trimming done. Reach 6B.2: Right bank topsoil and subsoil placement 70% complete. Left bank ±50% of

subsoil placed. M1-54C and M1-54D Type 2 drain inlets have been backfilled. Puddle flange on slopes

remain to be installed along with armour and riprap. Turnout M1-54 installation initiated on February 21. Turnout M1-53B – installation of north and south pump wells complete and are

backfilled, Liner and armour installation in canal remain along with miscellaneous metals and culvert through toe drain.

Reach 6C: Topsoil and subsoil placement on left bank ±50% complete, right bank ±20%. Bridge M1-53 detour remains in service complete with night-time illumination. Two girder plates have now been welded in place. Paint, bolts and grout remain to be

installed along with two north abutment girder brackets.

Construction activities expected for the upcoming work period.

Installation of turnout M1-54 to continue. Completion of liner and armour installation from ±19-845 working upstream under

Bridge M1-53 to plug being used for detour. Armour and riprap placement at Type I and Type II drain inlets to complete installation.

2018 International Conference:

The 69th annual International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage – International Executive Council & Regional Conference will take place August 12-17, 2018 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Their theme will be Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture Water Management: Focus will be Adapting to a Variable and Changing Climate and other issues. This is the perfect opportunity to promote and show the world, the potential that Saskatchewan has to offer and our hurdles we face expanding irrigation in our province.

Sincerely,

Brian BartelGeneral ManagerSSRID No.1

2017 Operations Manager Report

Started out the year with going around to get water service signed

We also had a issue with Broderick Marsh gates being opened which then started a

chain reaction which caused the 1C terminal to be froze up. Then had to go and chop ice

out of drain inlet gates and get them closed. We also then had to go and chop out the

bottom end of the terminal. Then we hauled out salt and poured it in the top end which

fortunately with the slow early thaw that we had it broke open and ran the runoff. This

took several trips and a lot of time to monitor and make sure it was going to work.

Worked on monitoring and maintaining the heat and alarms with in all pump stations

and gate stations

Worked in office on various projects for the next year

IE: M.I.D

Sask Power

Asset transfer

Spring runoff was quite uneventful as there was no real issues

All the guys were back to work on April 18

They started out with getting prepped and the installation of the new M2 Langman

gates

Everyone was gone for 2 days on training courses in Rosetown

Started working on doing repairs on all the surface lined areas (all areas are past due on

replacement and are in terrible shape ) this takes a lot of time

Started prep to be ready to run water (clean weeds etc.)

Repair structures that have been shifted with the frost- C18 terminal

M1-56

A7-8

A9-4

A13-8

Start pumps ESPS May 3

Got late start with spraying program as tractor was broke down .Actually never got

going much till July

Took over and started Ditchriders services for M.I.D. mid May ( Les Andrews got

hurt)from this point on we had one man go over every day to inspect water flows and

run pump if necessary

Bryan Akre took the month of June off to go cycling

Water usage was quite high this year which meant we had to go back to the three area

system. Once it got busy it did not slow down. The SSEWS also was busy this year with

not many breaks

Craig Wagner booked off on medical leave May 29

Was finally diagnosed in Oct with M S and will be starting treatments (Hopefully back in

the spring)

Craig’s illness got Garth Hauberg to step up to the plate to help out Dithchriding in the

North and Central areas .This was all new to Garth so he had a major learning curve

June 5 had a canal washout on B2 or 2B overflow had to shut off B2 canal. Installed

bypass pipes and had water back on by late afternoon on June 8 and started servicing

farmers by afternoon of June 9. Once water was back on we started the repairs on the

washout this took a long time as we were short manpower because the water usage

was so high. When Sept came we started working to complete and once the water was

turned off we were able to take bypass pipes out and reline and rebuild section of canal

that was jeopardised

Got mowing program started in early June done mostly by Ditchriders

Also got spraying started (doing trees)

Got the algae treating program going in early June .This seemed to be a real battle this

year, but got through with only a few issues

Mid July we started a spray program to go after Noxious weeds (Bindweed) this took

several days to get through the district

Mid July Ken Groves decided to retire.

Clint Carignan started with us Aug 9. Clint is our mechanic now and is also leaning how

to run some equipment

We had a issue with C11 canal water decided to flow over the top. We then were able to

strike a deal with Primrose to dig a dugout for them and use the dirt to rebuild our canal

In August we started dealing with Enbridge on doing canal crossings etc. this took

several meetings and some training to be able go on to their right of ways on both sides

of the river

This fall we had major issues with beaver in the canals. This consumes a lot of man

hours and equipment hours to try and keep the water flowing

We got several kms of canal drains rehabbed this fall

Install some new wells and structures for some new development in the spring

Got all pipelines drained and pumped out this is getting to be a long process with our

new development (but a good one)

Upon final inspection of our drain terminals they appear to be able to make another

season(3C or Harvey Hendricks is still in issue)

We did get gravel crushed this year which should help us out for the next few years

We were a little short on custom work this year (but maybe that was a good thing as we

were also short manpower)

Our new pipeline projects are well under way and should be done by spring

Sincerely,

George KingOperations Manager

Chairman’s ReportTo the District Consumers of SSRID No.1: As I am sure you are aware, the most important issue the District faces currently is the proposed transfer of assets, which is really a proposed transfer of liability, which the Minister of Agriculture wishes to impose on the SSRID. At the special meeting of District consumers on January 19, 2018, a motion to decline the current offer and five year funding package was passed unanimously and the Board was instructed to continue negotiations with the Ministry representative. The Ministry has appointed a mediator to facilitate the transfer and his name is Kyle McDonald. The Board and Staff have met with him several times and continue to do so. We have been working on a counter-proposal and hope to have it ready to present to Kyle in February or March. The north terminal drain that we planned to replace last year turned out to be a far more expensive project than we thought, as the tenders for the project came in about double what we had expected. The staff is working on a solution and we hope to replace the terminal this year. FRWIP Growing Forward 2 programs end in February of this year. I am happy to report that we were able to utilize all of the funds allocated to the District and the infrastructure built with these funds will bring the District's total irrigated acres to over 40,000 for the 2018 season. With the change of Government in Ottawa, of course that means a change in the name of the Federal-Provincial infrastructure transfer of funds. The new Capital Asset Program (CAP) is to replace the Growing Forward 2 program (GF2). There are significant changes between GF2 and the new CAP program, the most significant being that under the old program the funds were allocated directly to the districts and they decided the most efficient use of the funding provided. Under the new program the funding is available directly to producers only, and the districts have been allocated nothing. This leads me to wonder how any project involving more than one producer would be coordinated and who is going to prioritize those funds. We have also been informed that any funds to our District from CAP are contingent on the asset transfer. I am not sure if this means that the individual producers in the SSRID are ineligible for current CAP funding. I suggest that if you want clarification on this that you contact Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) staff and ask them.

It is also interesting to note that the provincial funding offer that we just declined was to be funded out of the CAP program, of which a good portion would have been provided from federal contributions. The newly installed automated waste way and sluice in the B-2 system washed out this summer, causing a disruption of services to District consumers on that canal. The management and staff constructed a temporary bypass and resumed service to that system in 4 days. The structure and sluice were salvaged and reinstalled this fall. We anticipated no further problems with this system. The reason we are using these automated wasteways on some of our canals (we have 4) is to deliver water beyond the original design capacity of the ditch. That way we can accommodate additional acres and protect the canal from overflow in the event of a power outage. Brian Bartel, our General Manager, informed me that the budget is near completion and the auditor's report for last year should be ready in February. It is our hope that the base rates stay the same, but this is by no means a guarantee of that. We are not immune to inflation and the asset transfer meetings are adding to the administrative costs significantly. It is important to remember that the base rates have not changed in the past two years. The staff, management and board will continue to work in your best interests. I wish you all the best in the coming season. Sincerely, Murray KasperChairman, SSRID no. 1