Water management, growth can co-exist Final Edition

Our preliminary research shows average annual flows in the South Saskatchewan River will decrease by approximately 10 per cent over the next 30 years. Average increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation will lead to higher evaporation, reducing river flows. Rising human consumption, part...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inStar-phoenix (Saskatoon)
Main Author Lawrence Martz and Joel Bruneau
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Saskatoon, Sask Postmedia Network Inc 16.06.2006
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Summary:Our preliminary research shows average annual flows in the South Saskatchewan River will decrease by approximately 10 per cent over the next 30 years. Average increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation will lead to higher evaporation, reducing river flows. Rising human consumption, particularly for irrigation, combined with reductions in natural supply will complicate water management. The economies of areas in the South Saskatchewan River Basin such as Saskatoon and Calgary have seen, and will continue to see, fast population and economic growth. By 2046, we could see a doubling of the population and even greater growth in economic activity. This growth can be expected to double water consumption in non- irrigation sectors. Demand for irrigation, however, currently is about 12 times that of all non-irrigation sectors combined. While irrigation is expected to expand in Saskatchewan, this is not the case in southern Alberta, which has no plans to expand current water licences.
ISSN:0832-4174