| Work Detail |
The Government of Alberta announced it is undertaking a provincewide review of potential sites for dams and other infrastructure to help meet future water needs.
Alberta’s government has now begun a provincewide study looking at more than 100 locations across the province. This study will be used to help the government plan long-term ways to maximize Alberta’s water supply, reduce the risk of future droughts and floods, and support thriving communities.
“We are making sure that Alberta has the water it needs to support our growing communities and a thriving economy for generations to come. This study will take a hard look at sites across the province to help us identify the most effective places to build future water storage projects,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
Dams, reservoirs and other water storage infrastructure play a vital role in irrigation, drought management, water security, flood protection, and supporting a healthy environment. At the same time, they can be costly to build and affect local ecosystems and environments.
The provincial study will identify, review and assess potential locations where water storage infrastructure could be most effectively developed to help meet the province’s long-term water needs. Various sites will be assessed based on new and existing information regarding hydrology, dam design, environmental, social and cultural impacts, and the potential costs, benefits and risks or uncertainties for each site.
“Water is a precious resource and one that is essential for agriculture. Our government is always prepared to help ensure our producers and processors have the water they need to help put food on the tables of Albertans and others around the world. Now, more than ever, we need to do more with the water we have. Identifying potential opportunities for new reservoirs will help continue to grow our province and ensure our agriculture industry has the water it needs,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
The Water Storage Opportunities Study is expected to be completed in 2025. Alberta’s government will use the results to help identify the most effective options to improve water storage in a responsible and cost-effective way. Some of the top-ranked sites may be selected to undergo a full feasibility study in the future.
This study is part of the Alberta government’s work to modernize the province’s water system and make every drop count. Along with this study, the province has feasibility studies in progress for the Ardley reservoir and Eyremore dams, launched the $125 million Drought and Flood Protection Program, and is currently engaging on potential ways to increase water availability and improve the water management system in Alberta.
MPE, a division of Englobe, has been selected to complete this study.
Two feasibility studies are currently underway for potential reservoir projects, the Ardley reservoir east of Red Deer (directed by Environment and Protected Areas) and the Eyremore Dam west of Brooks (directed by Agriculture and Irrigation).
The Alberta government owns and operates several large reservoirs in the South Saskatchewan River and Red Deer River basins that help ensure sufficient water supply to meet demand from communities, irrigators and businesses, while also maintaining a healthy aquatic environment.
The government previously completed a provincewide strategic review of potential water storage sites in 2008 as part of the Water for Life strategy. |
