Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
The annual dates for irrigation shut-off and cessation of canal diversion have been set.
At the Regular Council meeting on Monday, a recommendation from Kelly Mercer, Director of Operations for the Town of Oliver, was made to shut off irrigation and end diversion of the canal, on the same dates as last year. In 2024, irrigation shut-off occurred on October 14, with the end of canal diversion coming two weeks later, on October 28.
October 14 is the latest date that irrigation shut-off has happened in recent years, with 2013 also featuring that as a shut-off point. Cessation of canal diversion consistently happens during the last week of October, with November 1 being the latest any year has gone. That ended up being the selected date back in 2006.
Keeping the dates consistent has been made possible by a decreasing amount of late water requests, with only thirteen late water requests made in 2023, and just three requests in 2024.
Councillor Rick Machial says it appears there will be a similar low number of requests for 2025.
“The grape growers were really the people we were concerned about, because [during] harvest, they don’t water the plants at all, and then you get the late water [request],” Machial said, referencing a conversation with fellow Councillor Bhupinder Dhaliwal. “But most of the grapes are already [harvested] this year, so that date seems fine.”
The motion to set those dates in stone for 2025 was carried unanimously.
Requests for late irrigation works use can still be submitted to the Public Works Office, at 5971 Sawmill Road. E-mails will also be sent out to those who regularly submit late water requests.
A video on the history of the canal and it’s importance for the development of Oliver was created earlier this year can be accessed here.
