For Immediate Release
June 2, 2025
TABER, AB – The Municipal District of Taber (MDT) and the Bow River Irrigation District (BRID) are excited to announce the formalization of a joint agreement for the Scope Reservoir Joint Project—a forward-moving initiative that will bring irrigation to approximately 3,100 acres of municipally owned land near Scope Reservoir.
This 2026 initiative represents a 50/50 project cost-share and revenue-sharing agreement between the MDT and the BRID, and reflects a shared commitment to responsible land stewardship, agricultural advancement, and long-term municipal sustainability.
The initiative reflects the MDT’s commitment to responsible growth, land ownership, and long-term municipal viability for service delivery, benefiting the community as a whole.
The project will develop 23 irrigation pivots across the site, with leases awarded to bidders through a competitive public auction. Revenues will be shared equally between the MDT and the BRID and are expected to exceed annual operating costs and the initial investment significantly, making the project financially self-sustaining and a source of revenue for both parties.
The Scope Reservoir Joint Project is a strategic investment that will:
- Enhance agricultural productivity and support the region’s thriving agri-food sector
- Generate sustainable funding for critical municipal services and infrastructure
- Improve water efficiency by utilizing surplus reservoir water that would otherwise be spilled
- Support critical infrastructure upgrades, including transportation, drainage, and water systems
- Strengthen MDT’s presence within Canada’s Premier Food Corridor (CPFC)
Importantly, this initiative complements—not replaces—existing grazing operations. The MDT continues to support a robust network of grazing leases, with over 69,280 acres of municipally owned and 160,800 acres of Crown-owned lands currently leased for ranching and livestock production.
The land involved in this project is privately deeded and owned by the MDT, making it the last significant undeveloped block available for irrigation downstream of the Scope Reservoir inlet. Its strategic location, historical cultivation, and good soil make it uniquely suited for irrigation expansion. The project will not impact other water users’ allocations, as it draws from excess water that currently cannot be fully utilized. Scope Reservoir is located near the downstream end of the BRID main canal and captures surplus flow on the canal. However, because of insufficient irrigated area downstream of the reservoir much of the surplus water is currently spilled. This project will use a portion of that surplus water, increasing the overall efficiency of water use.
The MDT’s portion of the shared investment is estimated at $5.5 to $6 million, supported through borrowing and in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. This aligns with the MDT’s Land Management Strategy, which prioritizes flexible, strategic use of municipally owned lands to benefit both the municipality and the broader community.
As this initiative moves forward, the MDT and BRID remain committed to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and proactive governance that reflects the values and priorities of our residents and irrigators. For continued information updates as they become available, please refer to the following project webpage link: https://www.mdtaber.ab.ca/p/scope-reservoir
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Contact
For further inquiries, please contact:
Arlos Crofts
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipal District of Taber
acrofts@mdtaber.ab.ca
Richard Phillips, P.Eng.
General Manager
Bow River Irrigation District
richard.phillips@brid.ca
