Oct 15, 2025: CANCID Webinar: Real-time monitoring to support irrigation in the Delta Region of British Columbia

Time: Oct 15, 2025 – 12 PM Mountain

Speaker: Andrew Nadler

Topic: Real-time monitoring to support irrigation in the Delta Region of British Columbia

Description:

Agricultural production in BC’s Delta region relies on irrigation water from the Fraser River, which is conveyed via an extensive system of canals, gates, and pumps. Although water quantity is usually sufficient, salinity at intake points is affected by the mixing of tidal and freshwater. When river flows are low, the “salt wedge” tends to creep further up the channel, resulting in water with higher salt concentration, posing a significant risk of crop damage if used for irrigation. This problem has been exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, which have made seasonal river flows increasingly unpredictable, particularly during summer months when water demand is at its peak. To address these growing concerns, we’ve established a network of real-time salinity monitoring stations throughout the region. An online portal has been developed to provide farmers and water managers with insights to support water-related decisions. By leveraging accurate and timely data, farmers can adjust their irrigation practices to mitigate the effects of high salinity levels, thereby protecting their crops and ensuring sustainable production. The implementation of this highly successful program has demonstrated the valuable role that monitoring technologies can play in delivering decision support tools. 

Webinar Series Information:

The Canadian Committee on Irrigation and Drainage is excited to announce their 2025/2026 webinar series, this is the first webinar as part of the CANCID Webinar Series.