The Alberta government plans to study of dozens of potential water storage sites around the province.
The Water Storage Opportunities Study, which will look at more than 100 sites, is expected to be completed next year. Consultants will identify, review and assess potential locations where water could be stored most effectively and cost-effectively. Top-ranked sites may be selected for full feasibility studies.
As every farmer knows, Alberta's geography and climate means the amount of precipitation received can vary greatly 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," says the province in a Thursday news release announcing the new study.
"We are making sure that Alberta has the water it needs to support our growing communities and a thriving economy for generations to come," said Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz.
"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."
The province acknowledges that while dams, reservoirs, and other water storage options can be beneficial, they can also be costly and affect local ecosystems and environments.
Sites singled out in the new study will be "assessed on new and existing information regarding hydrology, dam design, environmental, social and cultural impacts, and the potential costs, benefits and risks or uncertainties of each site," says the news release.
Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson said water is essential for agriculture and a precious resource.
"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."
Sigurdson’s ministry oversees 80 dams province-wide and 340 kilometres of irrigation canals and flood protection berms and dykes.
It has been 16 years since the last province-wide strategic review of potential water storage, which was done as part of the Water for Life strategy.
A $4.5-million feasibility study is already underway for a potential dam and reservoir in the Ardley area on the Red Deer River about 40 km east of Red Deer.
That two-phase, multi-year study will explore the costs and value of constructing and operating the reservoir, and its impact on downstream communities, farmers and ranchers, and businesses. A similar study is looking at the Eyremore Dam, west of Brooks.
Ardley has been eyed seriously as a potential dam site, at least since the 1940s. No project ever emerged and then the Dickson Dam was built in 1983.
Dickson Dam has recently completed a two-year multi-million upgrade designed to boost capacity.
