Aerial map showing land irrigated by the Noble Creek Irrigation System
The drought conditions which have started to engulf Kamloops and many other parts of the province are creating potential challenges for farm owners north of Westsyde.
A historically low snowpack this year on the North Thompson – which is now virtually non-existent – combined with a lack of rain, has left the river at historically low levels.
City of Kamloops Utilities Manager Greg Wightman says this could spell even further trouble for those who use the Noble Creek Irrigation System if the current trend continues.
“It’s [the North Thompson River] extremely low. We’re within about 20-centimeters of where we can operate the system,” noted Wightman.
“With no significant rainfall in the forecast here, and snowpacks literally at zero percent of seasonal average on the North Thompson, we’re tough spot here. We’re going to be in the position of, perhaps, not being able to have enough water to run that system within a few days.”
There are close to 50 different land owners who use the Noble Creek Irrigation System, including small-scale farmers and a winery.
Among them, Thistle Farm owner and former Kamloops City Councillor Dieter Dudy, who says the shutdown of Noble Creek before he can harvest this Summer would be a disaster for him.
Photo of Thistle Farm, owned by Dieter Dudy/via Cheyanna Dyck
“In terms of income, I might lose anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 over this season if I do not have water,” said Dudy.
He says he has no other options to irrigate his land if the Noble Creek System stops working, other than to run hoses from his home and pay city utility rates.
“If that actually happens [the shutdown of the Noble Creek Irrigation System in the next few days], I may as well just get a realtor in and sell this property, because I can’t run this without having an income.”
Dudy says others in the area – mostly hay farmers – would be able to survive a bit longer without water from Noble Creek.
However, he notes hot and dry conditions are expected to resume in Kamloops next week.
The Noble Creek Irrigation System, which syphons water from the North Thompson River, has been fraught with problems through the years.
The City of Kamloops has plans to decommission the over 100-year old System after this year’s growing season in the Fall.
