(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

DROUGHT CONCERNS

Provincial agricultural water infrastructure program a positive step ahead of expected drought

Mar 19, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Monday (March 18), the B.C. Government announced an increase of funding for the Agricultural Water Infrastructure program to help farmers and ranchers with expected drought this summer.

$80-million is now available for ranchers and farmers to help build out water infrastructure in the face of prolonged, year over year drought.

“The water situation is not something that we can solve overnight and you are definitely correct that these low snowpacks that we have been seeing provincially this last year could lead to drought this year as well. We are hopeful we will get some moisture in the spring,” said Werner Stump, the vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association.

While the fund is expected to provide some relief to struggling ranchers and farmers in the years ahead, a difficult summer is still on the horizon for many in British Columbia.

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“The important thing about this funding is that we can get some projects underway and there are some things that might help in the short-term like improving the efficiency of some water delivery systems. But really I think the long term solution is to create a buffer in the system, a storage capacity within the system,” added Stump.

Within the Kamloops region, the Devick Ranch has been in the family for more than 115 years, but even still, the past few years are at an unprecedented level of drought. With over 1,800 head of cattle, and 100 acres of hay fields, it’s a careful game of math to ensure they have enough water for the summer.

“Making sure there is still enough if we don’t get enough snow or rain to have enough for the next year hopefully,” said Devick Ranch and Rangeland Meats Owner Mike Devick. “And as these years carry on eventually they are going to go down to where we wont be able to. If we can put in infrastructure to save that water, that’s the best thing we can do.”

Devick noted that the price of even small pieces of watering equipment has doubled in price the past few years, leaving ranchers in a tough position to make the needed upgrades without financial help.

“If we can somehow keep the water up higher in the mountains or in the rivers, then that’s better. But not just for us but for the salmon to, it’s everything. If we can somehow save water, water is the most valuable thing we have in B.C.,” said Devick.

Even a good season of precipitation wouldn’t currently be enough to alleviate concerns according to Stump.

“To get out of these long-term extended drought situations it is going to require at least a couple of seasons before we can rebuild that moisture in the soil profile,” stated Stump.

Applications for the fund open in April. It’s expected that the program will be fully subscribed that same day.