Page 5 - Stephen Vandervalk News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Relief is in sight for those in southern Alberta who rely on the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) for their water supply.

Recent snowfall has led to a delay in seeding crops for some Alberta farmers who were looking to get ahead in a year where they're experiencing an increase in costs.

Wheat prices have been climbing but so have the expenses of Alberta farmers recovering from last year's drought.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is hindering shipments from one of the world's vital breadbaskets, leaving grain importers scouring for supplies elsewhere.

“In 2001 the springs in the foothills were drying up.” In recent years irrigation districts have considered reducing water allocations, but timely rain or snow helped to avert the need for rationing. “There’s more and more use for water, and less and less of it,” said Vandervalk. He said if they don’t get enough rain or have little snowpack over a period of two or three years, farmers could face a situation where they will be out of water. Due to supply concerns, water use is highly restricted in southern Alberta and the province stopped issuing new water licenses in 2006.