[BCFSN] FW: The Water Issue: Salinity in Delta, Agricultural Dams and On-Farm Water Storage

Tue Dec 13 15:37:28 EST 2016

Subject: The Water Issue: Salinity in Delta, Agricultural Dams and On-Farm Water Storage

 BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative <http://i3.cmail20.com/ti/r/C1/2EA/9E7/024646/images/cai-email-newsletter-header.jpg> 

view this newsletter online <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-e-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-r/>  | visit our website www.BCAgClimateAction.ca <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-t/> 

  <http://i1.cmail20.com/ei/r/D1/586/9C3/csimport/Delta_Salinity.094342.jpg> 

Fraser River Salinity Study Casts Light on Future of Fresh Water for Delta Agriculture 

The recently completed Fraser River Salinity Modeling <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-i/>  and Monitoring Report
(4 MB pdf) models the effects of climate change and dredging on the future availability of irrigation water for Delta farmers.

In Delta, agricultural water supply and salinity are twin management challenges. The irrigation water that Delta farmers rely on is supplied through carefully managed fresh water intakes on the Fraser River, filling a network of irrigation ditches before being used on the fields. Salt water has always flowed up the river at high tide and the irrigation intakes are managed accordingly. However, climate change is expected to result in lower volumes of water flowing downstream during summer, as well as rising sea levels. This combination is anticipated to push the “salt wedge” further up river in the future. This poses a management challenge for the agricultural water supply, creating the risk of contamination from salt water.

The new study provides data and projections to help assess the risks to future irrigation water and to support planning and decision-making for farmers and government alike. Based on the monitoring recommendations in the report, the Delta Farmers' Institute, with their project partners, will be launching a multi-year salinity monitoring program on the lower Fraser River in 2017.

photo by Flickr user "Gord McKenna"

Dam Safety Workshops for Agricultural Dam Owners 

Agricultural dams provide critical water storage for ranchers and farmers in many areas of B.C. Particularly with the warmer and drier summer conditions associated with climate change, maintaining and enhancing these dams is a high priority for agricultural dam owners. 

The Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association is hosting a series of FREE workshops focusing on how to safely manage agricultural dams in accordance with regulatory requirements and best management practices. Workshop topics include a summary of new dam safety regulations and maintaining compliance. This is an active workshop with a free resource binder and dam safety templates, instruction on field surveillance and inspection methods, and discussions around the importance of record keeping.

Workshop Dates and Locations
Tuesday, January 31st – 100 Mile House
Wednesday, February 1st – Williams Lake
Tuesday, February 14th – Kamloops
Wednesday, February 15th – Kelowna

Registration is limited so RSVP now by contacting Aaron Hahn at 778-480-6063 or ahahn at interiordams.com <mailto:ahahn at interiordams.com?subject=Registration%3A%20Dam%20Safety%20Workshop> .

For more information about agricultural dams and climate change see our two other projects: 

§ Cariboo – Agricultural Dams Knowledge Transfer Resource <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-d/> 

§ Cariboo – Cooperative Maintenance and Enhancement of Agriculturally Significant Dams <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-h/> 

 <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-k/> water storage video

Knowledge Transfer on Vancouver Island: Join us again at the Islands Agriculture Show 

At last year’s Islands Agriculture Show, a farm tour and two panel sessions provided producers with information related to water storage development (and the associated requirements and regulations) as well as other water management practices for dry and drought conditions. A video was also produced to assist producers in assessing whether water storage might be a suitable option for their operations. We invite you to view this video at: 

www.bcagclimateaction.ca/regional-project/cw08/ <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-u/> 

At the 2017 Islands Agriculture Show, the Climate Action Initiative will be hosting a panel session - Forage Trials and Climate Change Adaptation: Research from across BC, Lessons for Vancouver Island. The session will feature presenters who are leading forage demonstration and research projects (funded through the Farm Adaptation Innovator fund) being undertaken in other parts of B.C. but will focus on information and findings relevant to Vancouver Island producers.

Register now <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-p/>  for the Islands Agriculture Show taking place on February 3rd and 4th in Port Alberni.

 <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-x/> 

Looking for the Coles Notes on Our Climate Change Adaptation Projects? Project Summaries Have Arrived! 

Over the last five years, the BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative has supported almost 50 projects to build resilience to climate change in BC’s agricultural communities. Projects have ranged in scope from risk assessments to pilot projects to on-farm trials and have produced a range of resources including reports, farm management toolkits and communications tools.

To help spread the word about these exciting projects, we have developed ten short project summaries for you to read and share (with more summaries currently under development). You can also visit our website <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-m/>  to learn about all of our agricultural climate change adaptation projects and to download associated reports, summaries, etc.

Each link below leads to a 2-page summary (pdf, under 1 MB):

§ A Shared Approach to Maintaining  <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-c/> & Enhancing Dams in the Cariboo

§ Drought Alert Project Keeps Producers 'In the Know' <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-q/> 

§ Building Essential Public Support for the Future of Delta’s Agriculture <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-a/> 

§ Grazing Project Leading to Greener Pastures for Climate Adaptation <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-f/> 

§ Forage Practices Form Foundation of On-farm Research Toolkit <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-z/> 

§ Helping Farmers Get a Jump on Growing Season with Crop Protection <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-v/> 

§ Australian Technique Offers Novel Approach to Water Management <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-e/> 

§ Delta Drainage Study Lays Groundwork for Climate Adaptation <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-s/> 

§ Pest  <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-g/> & Disease Monitoring: the Front Line of Climate Adaptation

§ Good Data Informs Good Decisions in Climate of Change <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-w/> 

join us on facebook <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-yd/>  | follow us on twitter <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ykyhdiit-ihjuklljx-yh/>  

 supported by Growing Forward 2, BC Agriculture Council, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada <http://i4.cmail20.com/ti/r/C1/2EA/9E7/024646/images/cai-email-newsletter-footerlogos.png> 

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