Photo by www.dreamstime.com Nalidsa Sukprasert
Irrigation Oliver
Work is underway this year to ensure Oliver-area orchards, wineries and farms have access to a stable irrigation system.
A $5 million contribution from the BC government will help reroute the town’s agricultural irrigation system around Gallagher Lake to serve as a dependable source of year-round irrigation water for growers in years to come.
“The new pipes will deliver more than water to the farms, orchards and vineyards in the area,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “They will also bring the peace of mind a reliable irrigation system provides growers and their families.”
The new system, expected to be complete in April 2022, will replace temporary piping that was established following a rockslide in 2016. The slide damaged infrastructure that carried irrigation water to the Town of Oliver, the Osoyoos Indian Band and farms, and wineries and orchards in the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS). The temporary piping has delivered irrigation water since the slide, but at reduced capacity, and with vulnerabilities during hotter years with lower precipitation.
“In Oliver, we’re farming in a desert climate," said Michael Bartier, winemaker/owner at Bartier Family Vineyards. “The importance of our irrigation water supply cannot be overstated With this project, I know there’ll be much relief to local anxieties on this water supply, our livelihoods, and the province’s food security.”
The provincial contribution completes the funding for the $11 million partnership with the Town of Oliver and was contingent on the town raising the remaining project funds, consulting with stakeholders and completing an environmental impact assessment and archeological review.
The new irrigation system brings stability to crop production in the area and reduces the risk of crop and financial uncertainty for growers, their employees and the larger community.
“The solid irrigation ditch goes through the north end of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve and is a very important source of water to Nk’Mip (Inkameep) vineyards,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band. “I want to thank the Province of BC for funding a portion of the much-needed new irrigation pipeline upgrades, which will secure a safe source of water for hundreds of agricultural properties in our region.”