Economic impacts of irrigation development in Alberta upon the provincial and Canadian economy

Abstract

This study was carried out to ascertain the impact of irrigation development on water users and socio-economic activity beyond the farm gate. The study sponsor (Alberta Irrigation Projects Association) requested that the major beneficiaries of irrigation, and the relative distribution of these benefits be determined. The study concludes that the benefits from irrigation activity extend far beyond the water users. Irrigation activities are, directly or indirectly responsible for the employment of some 35 thousand people in Alberta. In addition, these activities account for $941 million of provincial gross domestic product annually. The distribution of expected annual benefits arising from the current investments in regard to reclaimed land, increased irrigated acres and construction activities, etc., is 15 percent for water users, 66 percent for the province and 19 percent for other Canadian provinces. Irrigation is a vital component of the socio-economic environment in southern Alberta. Many of these interrelationships were not quantified for this analysis, but should be considered when evaluating the impact of irrigation activities within the province. Nonmeasured benefits include: potable water supplies to communities and industries, reservoirs for recreation, improvement in the quality of life, greater crop flexibilities and agriculture production in an area with reliable harvest weather. © 1985 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.