Alberta launches search for water infrastructure sites

Key Takeaways:

• Alberta’s government is conducting a provincewide study of over 100 potential sites for dams, reservoirs, and other infrastructure to address growing water demands from communities and industries, as well as mitigate risks of droughts and floods.
• The study will assess hydrology, dam design, environmental, social, and cultural impacts, as well as the costs and benefits of water storage infrastructure to ensure responsible and cost-effective solutions.
• This initiative, alongside feasibility studies for specific reservoirs and a $125 million Drought and Flood Protection Program, is part of Alberta’s broader effort to modernize its water management system and ensure long-term water security.

The Whole Story:

Alberta’s government is undertaking a provincewide review of potential sites for dams and other infrastructure to help meet future water needs.

Officials explained that as Alberta’s population and economy grow, demand for water from communities and industry increases at the same time. Due to the province’s prairie geography and climate, the amount of precipitation received varies a lot from season-to-season and year-to-year. Creating more dams, reservoirs and other infrastructure is one way to potentially help capture and store more water.

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 and reduce the risk of future droughts and floods.

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.

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.