Members of the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Inc. (SIPA), along with members of the South Central Enterprise Region and various other groups from across the province where in Moose Jaw Tuesday and Wednesday for the 16th Annual Irrigation Conference.
Roger Pederson, chairman of SIPA, told the Times-Herald, Tuesday, he was pleased with this year’s turn-out, being that it is one of the largest gatherings the conference has seen in quite a few years.
During the conference, SIPA held its annual general meeting, enjoyed opening remarks and a welcome to the city from Mayor Glenn Hagel and a number of presentations, displays and a banquet for those in attendance.
Pederson said this is the seventh time Moose Jaw has hosted the event and is happy to be back.
He said part of the reason he believes there was such a high attendance number this year was because of the discussions surrounding the Upper Qu’Appelle Conveyance Project.
Tuesday afternoon the conference closed with an updated presentation on the research that has been done thus far on the project and the enterprise region’s plan moving forward.
Speaking to this was Dale Miller and Bob Parker, project manager.
“I think this is just a project that really hits home for those in the surrounding community and has peaked people’s interest,” said Pederson.
The Upper Qu’Appelle Conveyance Project is a system being proposed to convey addition water from Lake Diefenbaker to Buffalo Pound Lake.
The reason the system is being proposed to the government is because the existing constructed and natural channel has deteriorated due to erosion, sedimentation and seasonal growth of aquatic vegetation.
During his presentation, Miller said the fact of the matter is, is that the current system isn’t going to last much longer and isn’t utilizing the water available.
