The project that has long been talked about, but rarely backed by political will and political capital, has finally taken the first steps to becoming reality.

Earlier this week, the provincial government announced it was taking the first steps in a project that will more than double irrigable land in Saskatchewan. The generational project will complete the vision that was the Gardiner Dam and Lake Diefenbaker project.

“The announcement of this generational project will see the vision of Lake Diefenbaker completed over the course of the next decade,” Premier Scott Moe said.  “By doubling the amount of irrigable land in our province, this project will be a massive step in completing the goals our government has set out in our 2030 Growth Plan.”

Immediately a $22.5 million investment will be made for preliminary engineering and initial construction. The total project will be constructed over the next 10 years and is expected to cost an estimated $4 billion.

Phase 1 of the project is estimated to cost $500 million. The phase will include the rehabilitation of existing canals that are part of the Westside irrigation canal system. Since the 1970s some already partially constructed canals have fallen into disrepair. Phase 1 will see them rehabilitated to a usable status. The first phase will also see some canal expansion created on the system. The expansion should see irrigable land increase by 80,000 acres in the area.  It is considered one of the most shovel ready irrigation projects in the province with 90 per cent of the current canal already in place.

Phase 2 of the planned project will see even further build out of the Westside Irrigation system. The phase should see an additional 260,000 acres of irrigable land.  Once fully built and developed, the project will eventually see land made available for irrigation near Macrorie, Milden, Zealandia, and as far north as Delisle and Asquith.

“Saskatchewan has one of the most unique opportunities across the country,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Greg Ottenbreit said.  “We are well-positioned to further develop while providing a secure water supply for generations to come. I am very confident Legislative Secretary Lyle Stewart will move this project forward to ensure certainty for our economy and a secure water supply for decades to come.”

When completed the economic impact of the project will be substantial, not just for the area but also the province. Initial estimates show the investment will result in a $40 to $80 billion increase in the provincial Gross Domestic Product over the next 50 years.  The project is estimated to create 2,500 construction jobs a year, over the next ten years. Many of which should be located in the region.

“I look forward to working with producers, industry and government partners to expand irrigation capacity in Saskatchewan,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said.  “From diversifying crop production and attracting more value-added processing, to benefiting local economies and adding to our long-term food security, increased irrigation opportunities support a profitable and sustainable economy.”

Discussions with the federal government are being coordinated by SaskBuilds, in partnership with the Water Security Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, to leverage all possible federal infrastructure funding opportunities, including through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.  Saskatchewan is seeking federal funding now to support planning work and will be seeking significant longer-term funding to support this multi-year, multi-phase construction project.

We'll have more as this story develops.