Irrigators focus on floods

LETHBRIDGE, AB, Nov. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Alberta's irrigation community will be discussing future flood mitigation and planning at the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA) annual conference November 25^th to 27^th at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel.

"The experiences of this summer have shown us that we have an obligation to examine our role in preventing future disasters," said AIPA Chair Bob Dykstra.

He added that more and more, irrigation districts are becoming key partners with communities all over southern Alberta in managing water, from stormwater management systems to provision of fresh water for municipal treatment.  "It is only logical we take the next step and become partners in flood mitigation as well", Dykstra commented.

The conference will feature an all morning session on November 26^th dealing specifically with the June 2013 flood from a variety of perspectives including the use of new storage possibilities on the Bow River to how to better utilize wetlands for flood mitigation.

On Wednesday morning the conference will hear from Andre Corbould, the head of the province's flood recovery task force.

"We need to ensure we all keep talking about how we handle both floods and drought, which are both ongoing realities in Southern Alberta", Dykstra concluded.

SOURCE: Alberta Irrigation Projects Association

Ron McMullin, Executive Director, AIPA
403-328-3063

Note to media:  All conference sessions are open to the media.  Please see the conference registration desk upon arrival.