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Further Resources 

Water Conservation on Farms
Key Concepts

Soil organic matter improves water and nutrient retention in soils 

Good soil structure helps water infiltration and root growth depth 

Precision agriculture
= the use of technology to optimize water and chemical application to cropland, saving money and resources

Evaporation loss from water bodies in Southern Alberta is equivalent to 3-4 feet per year [66] 

Precision Irrigation
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  • The direct delivery of water by watering next to the plant or to the roots
     

  • Less surface water around
    = less weed germination
    + less evaporation loss during watering

Drip Irrigation
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  • Using landscape data (history, local weather, soil characteristics, and topography) to model farmland and generate an irrigation plan 

Variable Rate Irrigation
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  • The use of sensors to measure soil moisture, automate irrigation, and avoid overwatering
     

  • 2 kinds: Water On-Demand (tensiometer) [60] & Suspended Irrigation [63] 

Automated (“Smart”) Irrigation
Soil Health Improvement [64] [65]
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  • ​Reduces moisture loss and erosion by protecting the topsoil from wind, sun and runoff

Cover Crops
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  • ​Protective layer over topsoil: 

    • Maintains soil moisture 

    • Increases soil organic matter 

    • Keeps out weeds 

Mulch
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  • Improves soil structure through decreased soil disturbance and compaction 
     

  • Increases water infiltration due to crop stubble trapping more snow on the ground over winter 

No-Till Farming
Community Collaboration [66]
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  • Spreads information on new or adapted technologies and practices 

 

  • Encourages open dialogue and engagement between agriculture stakeholders 

Knowledge Sharing Workshops & Forums 
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Support Programs 
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  • Creates larger-scale drought proofing management plans 
     

  • Improves access to more funding
     

  • Encourages rural and urban transition to decreased water use 

Farmer – Municipality Water Conservation Collaboration [66] 
Other
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  • Crops that require less water to grow to a full yield are more reliable in low water seasons

Drought Resistant Crops [64] 
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  • Reduces reliance on water license allotment by collecting snowmelt and heavy rain 
     

  • The use of liners underneath and shelterbelts on the prevailing wind-side reduces seepage and evaporation respectively 

Dugout Management [66] 
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  • Greywater from the household, rainwater, and runoff from fields and dugouts is captured, treated and diverted for irrigation use 

Water Capture & Reuse
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