Dry spring means Alberta's irrigation canals are opening early

The Eastern Irrigation District near Brooks opened its canals for farmers early this spring, with somecallingit one of the earliest starts in recent memory.

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"We haven't basically seen much or any rain since January," said Ivan Friesen, the general manager of the irrigation district.

"It's obvious we had to start sooner to react to the conditions."

Several irrigation districts in southern Alberta said they're filling up canals and opening one or two weeks earlier than usual.

Topsoil blowing away

Irrigation officials say the Eastern and Bow River Irrigation Districts east of Calgary are among the driest ones in southern Alberta this spring.

Friesen said some farmers near Brooks plan to water their fields before driving on them to prevent the dry topsoil from blowing away.

"They are waiting for the water first before they seed and work their land," he said.

Still, many in the area saiditwould be a non-issue if they could only get afewsolid days of rain.

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