An Estimation of Canadian Agricultural Water Use

Abstract

This study reports agricultural water use, measured in terms of water intake, for selected regions of Canada. Agricultural areas of Canada were divided into 55 regions based on administrative boundaries, with implicit consideration of soil type. All major agricultural water uses, such as dryland agriculture, irrigated agriculture, livestock production, greenhouse production and domestic water use, were included. Aquaculture-related water use was excluded due to limited information. Total water use in Canada for agricultural purposes was estimated at 2.34 million dam3 per annum. Supplementary irrigation is the largest water user within agriculture, claiming 86% of the total use, followed by livestock water use, which accounts for 10% of the total. Agricultural regions with supplementary irrigation, such as southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, and eastern British Columbia, are the regions with heavier use of water.