More than 100 sites are being studied across Alberta as potential locations where dams, reservoirs or other infrastructure can be built to help meet future demand for water.
The Water Storage Opportunities Study will support long-term planning to maximize water supply, reduce the risk of future droughts or floods, and support growing communities, the Province said when the study was announced on Dec. 5.
The geography and climate in Alberta mean precipitation can vary greatly from year to year, and creating more dams, reservoirs and other infrastructure can potentially help capture and store more water, the Province said.
Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas, said the study will help the Province identify the most effective places that future water storage projects could be built.
Water storage is important for irrigation, drought management, water security, flood protection, and supporting a healthy environment, but can be costly to build and can impact local ecosystems, the Province said.
Some of the top-ranked sites may be selected to undergo a full feasibility study in the future, the Province said.
RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation, said water is an essential resource.
“Identifying potential opportunities for new reservoirs will help continue to grow our province and ensure our agriculture industry has the water it needs,” Sigurdson said.
“Now, more than ever, we need to do more with the water we have,” he said.
The study is being done as part of the Government of Alberta work to modernize the province’s water system
The press secretary for the minister of environment and protected areas said sites will be looked at in all regions of the province, but the exact locations are not being released and more information would be shared once the review is complete.
The Province said it is also engaging on potential ways to increase water availability and to improve the water management system in Alberta.
Feasibility studies are underway for the Ardley reservoir, east of Red Deer, and the Eyremore Dam west of Brooks.
