Letter to the editor

The importance of groundwater for agriculture is growing as climate change accelerates. 

With increasing drought conditions, sustainable management of this freshwater source has never been more critical. A new study assessing aquifer vulnerability in the Columbia Basin is shedding light on which groundwater sources are most at risk, raising important questions for agricultural producers who rely on them.

This study will be the focus of a free webinar taking place on Wednesday, April 2 from 9-10:30 a.m. PT/10-11:30 a.m. MT co-hosted by the Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors and Living Lakes Canada. 

“Groundwater and Agriculture in the Columbia Basin” will equip participants with essential knowledge on groundwater, its relationship with agriculture, and what makes it vulnerable.

Living Lakes Canada, which commissioned the aquifer assessment, has been at the forefront of regional groundwater monitoring, driving a 400 per cent increase in monitoring through the Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program.

“This webinar is a must-attend for farmers, ranchers, and anyone interested in understanding the critical role of groundwater in the Columbia Basin’s future,”  said Braeden Toikka, water monitoring coordinator with Living Lakes Canada and one of the webinar’s presenters.

Toikka will be joined by Mike Wei, hydrogeologist and groundwater policy expert, who will discuss what producers need to know about groundwater licensing and water rights that govern water use in agriculture. Producers will also learn about the latest data and how to access it to make informed decisions.

To register for this free webinar, visit https://livinglakescanada.ca/event/groundwater-webinar/ or click the event button on the home page of the Living Lakes Canada website at https://livinglakescanada.ca/.

Living Lakes Canada gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Columbia Basin Trust and RBC Tech for Nature.

Please direct any questions to [email protected]

Living Lakes Canada