Low Water Reserves Trigger Agriculture Disaster in MD Pincher Creek

MD Pincher Creek declares agriculture disaster due to low water reserves and rainfall.

Dry early spring has been an ongoing concern in the province. Recent rainfall in the central and northeast with some making it into the south Peace, have provided relief for some but others continue to suffer.

“There are almost no areas in our highly variable municipality that are not showing a lack of soil moisture reserves, with moisture 6” down at poor for 75% or more of our MD. After a few years of similar weather, more than 50% of our livestock producers are already short of water at this point early in the season. Most of the rest will be in a similar situation as the summer goes on, as we are moving into what is usually our ‘dry’ season. “

• A rain event on June 12th brought surface soil moisture up in some areas but had no measured impact on the six inch soil moisture.
• Barley has headed out early and is very short, often less than 12 inches, so concerns for the availability of straw and silage.
• Water hauling and pumping has already started, however 75% of the dugouts, lakes, sloughs and reservoirs were at 20 to 50 year lows after snowmelt at the end of April.

Low water reserves are due to low snowpack over the past few years. “The MD operates dams from the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PRFA) era. The water levels in these dams are far below normal due to a very limited snowpack and run-off.” Availability of water for livestock will be the earliest limiting factor.

Quick Links:

June 23 2025 MD Pincher Creek Ag Disaster Letter.

June 19 2025 AGI Moisture Situation Update