Abstract
Within a century of first settlement, irrigation agriculture has expanded in semi-arid southern Alberta to occupy some 20% of the area's farmland, consuming approximately 34% of all water consumed in Canada. Massive public-funded water supply management schemes have been justified by successive provincial governments on the basis of the great economic benefits created by irrigation agriculture. This paper demonstrates that irrigation agriculture has contributed very little to the provincial economy, and to the growth of urban communities in southern Alberta. Irrigation agriculture has, however, caused severe environmental degradation, and constrained available water supplies for other uses, creating an artificial water shortage in southern Alberta.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.