The largest drainage project ever has been approved in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency issued the single approval for the landowners for the Dry Lake project, located in the Gooseberry Lake Watershed near Creelman.

"It's important because of it's size, and it's important because because it's a very large project that's approved under our agriculture water management strategy" said the Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency, Scott Moe.

"The size of this project is 73 landowners working together, 18,000 acres and 113 quarter sections all involved in this particular network."

Moe said the 73 landowners were treated as one entity in the agreement, through the auspices of the Upper Souris Watershed Association. Under previous legislation, separate easements were required for the 113 quarter sections.

When it comes to draining large areas of water, Moe stressed the importance of working together. "They need to have permission if you're going to move water off your property, and, two, wherever that water ends up needs to be an outlet that can handle that water or an adequate outlet, if you will."

The project will throttle spring run-off through gated structures, and ensure downstream landowners and communities won't experience flooding.

The project also restored 34 acres of wetlands on existing drainage, and created another 21 acres on new drainage.