Shewfelt, B., authorHarland, M., authorU.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher2020-05-132020-05-132000-06https://hdl.handle.net/10217/206737Presented at the 2000 USCID international conference, Challenges facing irrigation and drainage in the new millennium on June 20-24 in Fort Collins, Colorado.Under the Hill Farms Ltd., located in South Central Manitoba, diversified into irrigated crop production in 1997. The farm operation includes up to 900 acres (360 ha) of irrigated potatoes and specialty crops (e.g., grass, hybrid seed, garlic), in rotation with grains and oilseeds. The total farm base involves over 3100 acres (1250 ha). The entire project overlies the Assiniboine Delta Aquifer, an extensive unconfined aquifer which provides municipal, domestic and agricultural water supplies. The project withdraws up to 525 ac-ft (650 dam3) of water per year from the Assiniboine Delta Aquifer, the Assiniboine River and two wetlands. Potential exists to recharge the wetlands from the Assiniboine River. The Under the Hill Farms irrigation project was the first irrigation project on the Assiniboine River or the Assiniboine Delta Aquifer to receive a Manitoba Environment Act Licence. The licencing process considered an array of environmental issues including habitat and fisheries protection, and soil and water quality maintenance. The licence conditions include monitoring of environmental impacts. Under the Hill Farms is required to monitor water consumption, wetland water levels, Assiniboine River levels, and soil and plant nitrate levels. Under the Hill Farms also cooperates with the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre on a water quality monitoring project to aid in research into the movement of nitrates and pesticides to the groundwater. The Environment Act Proposal and Licence documents and confirms the producer commitment to the environment through sustainable production. In addition, the licencing process has heightened the producer's awareness of environmental issues and impacts. Ongoing monitoring will help Under the Hill Farms to refine their management practices to maintain a sustainable farm operation for generations to come and provide research information for future irrigation developments.born digitalCD-ROMsproceedings (reports)engCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.Text