It was apparent to many an ambitious homesteader in the
Lethbridge area that irrigation was essential to ensure the
necessary moisture for stable crop production. In 1910,
an extremely dry year, farmers south and east of town were
reaping incredible benefits from irrigated lands.

This was the same year in which the settlers of the fertile flat
lands surrounding Iron Springs forwarded a petition to the
Dominion Government for the construction of an irrigation
system to supply water to their parched lands - The initial
proposal was to pump water up the banks of the Oldman river
into a canal system. As this involved a vertical lift of ove
300 feet, little study was required to determine the plan
was not feasible.

The determination of the settlers, represented by George
W. Pearson, warranted the examination of several other
alternatives. The first actual land survey study began in
1913. A scheme to divert water out of the Oldman river on
the Peigan Reserve about forty miles west of Lethbridge was
recommended. Surveys continued under the experienced Chief
Engineer H. B. Mucklston to determine in depth, the canal
locations, the acres which could be irrigated, and the costs
involved. The general area considered suitable for irrigation
consists of an irregular tract of land from Fort Macleod to Turin.

The Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District was enacted by a vote
of the resident landowners on September 20, 1919, being 288 in
favour, 3 opposed. The water license incorporated under the
Irrigation District Act, entitled the District to divert 200,000 acre
feet of water for the irrigation of 105,265 acres.

Funding for the construction of the project was obtained from
debentures issued and guaranteed by the Provincial Government
in the amount of nearly $6 million. In return the Province received
about 10,000 acres in the District which was sold through the
Colonization Branch as irrigable farm parcels.

The contract for construction included the erection of the head
gates and diversion weir extending 650 feet across the Oldman,
and the excavation of the 53 miles of main canal. To transport
the water across the Rocky and Whitelake coulees, two wood
staved syphons were built. As well, metal flumes over the
width of the Oldman river and Willow Creek were required to
complete the main canal. Concrete control gates were to be
positioned at the east end of Keho Lake to regulate the water
flow to the eastern half of the District. Twenty-two concrete
drop structures were built to ease the water down the Albion Ridge
to the heartlands of the project. Major canals were excavated
by steamshovel, while delivery laterals were gouged with horse
drawn fresnos operated by the farmers themselves on the most
part.

The entire construction was under the direct administration of
the Irrigation Council. The engineers responsible were C. M.
Arnold, P. M. Sauder, E M. Wood, E H. Clarke, C. S. Clendenning,
G. E Hilliard, and C. L. Dodge.

The general contract for the excavation and construction was
awarded to Grant, Smith, & Company and McDonnell Limited,
on June 21st, 1921. Official sod breaking ceremonies took
place at Sauders Camp near Albion Ridge on June 16th.
Premier Stewart and several thousand others were in attendance,
to watch Lieutenant Governor Brett and "The Father of the
Project", G. W. Pearson split the earth with the horse powered
plow.

The Lethbridge Herald printed in 1924; "To "Old Man" Pearson
is due the credit for initiating the scheme, and to the Lethbridge
Board of Trade under the leadership of G. R. Marnoch must be
given the credit for the persistence which finally overcame all
the hindrances which stood in the way of its realization ".

The entire distribution system of the L.N.I.D. was complete on
Oct. 19, 1922.

The first water was admitted into the main canal on May Ist, 1923.

However on the last day of May an unprecedented flood of
the Oldman washed out the first three miles of the main
canal and two 45 foot sections of the flume over the Oldman.

Repairs wasted all summer and $100,000.00. In October water
was finally run through the system successfully. The next
season marked the first full season of operation for the
Lethbridge Northern, introducing water to 22,000 acres.

Thus began the irrigable transformation of that portion
of semi-arid Southern Alberta, known to the "Old Timers"
as Coyote Flats.

Return Coalhurst, Alberta