Drainage, just some thoughts for you

[booboo04]

Key to any drainage, in any area is an adequate outlet for the water (and/or consent by downstream owners up to and including the adequate outlet). An adequate outlet is one where no significant affects occur). In most cases an adequate outlet is a creek or stream.

With times like we are seeing now there is a chance to get consents because everyone is in a flood condition.

I work for the Watershed Authority and feel the only option the Assinoboine Area has is to get together and talk to our provincial Minister.

You should find out where your adequate outlet is in a high rainfall year. If your water runs and your minor streams are running all year, then your adequate outlet might be your own field and drainage does not affect anyone adversely downstream of you. However be aware that in any other year the adequate outlet will be further downstream.

I do not know of any drainage (I mean water control) approvals with a variable outlet location, but think it could work. Sask environment let's communities drain overflowing lagoons with a special one time permit (sometimes 2 or 3 one time permits), maybe farmers should have the same privilege.

Drainage (water control) is expensive, but in some areas it now may make sense. Up near Carrot River, Arborfield, and Melfort they have water control projects. Those guys are really smart. They have C&Ds. Local governing bodies that can tax and then provide capital construction works where they can. At one time the provincial government did all the engineering and paid 50% of the construction and maintenance. Try to get that back, and now is your only chance.

Controlled drainage (I mean water control) can work. Where it fails is when one farmer hates the next, and most likely a ditch will cross paths of people who hate each other. Its a real problem since one poor sport can stop just about any project. I have heard of guys buying downstream land just to block a project.

I have found (against what many say) one large slough is better than several. In our area (Craven) one large receptical slough is best, however where you have water courses that cross fields that is impossible.

Lastly if you want a chance to drain at all, then call it water control. DO NOT call it drainage, not ever.

[DogPatch]

"I work for the Watershed Authority and feel the only option the Assinoboine Area has is to get together and talk to our provincial Minister."

Manitoba is downstream, and I don't think anyone can talk to a responsible minister of anything in MB

[Hopperbin]

Hey guys if one is paying into a drainage catchment area does that mean the neighbor has to let you drain your water over his?

[booboo04]

You have to talk to the Sask minister. If you find where the adequate outlet is, then does not matter who is downstream. I know... Politics will prevail, but that is the only ideas I have.

And yes if you have a C&D and they develop a project, your neighbor has no choice. However you have to remember the project will not adversely affect that neighbor anyway. This is part of the reason water control is expensive, you get a project no one can have a valid complaint over (Cadillac type project). Most farmer made ditches (as much as they try to be fair) will affect someone because price is paramount.

The complaints I have been involved with have great benefits for the respondent, and small loss for the compliant... But that does not matter, the complaint has rights. Truth be known, a drainage complaint is usually the result of everything except the water issue, it usually is a product of two people hating each other. No always but most of the time... And the complaint has a valid complaint but personalities prohibit a real solution, so the result is a decision that has net dis-benefits when considering the bigger picture.

The number best chance you have to get the water control program back to 50% funding is when water control is needed, that is right now, not next year.

[Hopperbin]

Why should we be subsidized for drainage projects???? Sure handouts are great but I am fed up with the give me attitude. Personally my money is on the table for any water I want to move.

[booboo04]

Hopper, sounds good but you do know the purpose of government is to help improve the province you live in. If we don't help ourselves with projects or problems and concerns then your money will be spent on social programs with only a few that are a real benefit to society. But you are right hand outs are negative. maybe some view controled drinage as a handout, but my feeling is... Water control can make Saskatchewn worth more, thus. Benefit to our provinceM

[hedgehog]

if the world wants fed, they will have to fund your drainage, a better investment than concrete and glass hedge fund casinos in the city.

[burnt]

Gee, I never thought of asking the government to pay for any or all of my past drainage projects . . .