SMRID sets 2026 water allocation at 14 inches

Irrigators in southern Alberta are in for some good news, the St Mary River Irrigation District has set their allocation levels for 2026 at 14 inches, six more inches than in 2024.

Current reservoir levels in the region are reportedly holding a Full Level Supply of 79 percent. The General Manager of the SMRID says much of the reasoning behind the reservoir level change was a rare collection of precipitation last fall, which became a critical factor in determining this year’s allocation amount.

To put it in perspective, SMRID says 13 inches and above is typically a comfortable amount for irrigators to grow a healthy crop even during a very dry growing season.