Water Storage Review Underway 

Alberta’s government has begun a provincewide study looking at more than 100 locations across the province for water storage. 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. 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. The Water Storage Opportunities Study is expected to be completed in 2025. Two feasibility studies are currently underway for potential reservoir projects, including and the Eyremore Dam west of Brooks (directed by Agriculture and Irrigation). 

Find out more at https://www.alberta.ca/drought 

Why this matters: 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 and finding pathways similar to our concerns and recommendations in the Water for Sustainability policy. We are pleased to see the province looking at the development of a strategy and also hope that the federal government would follow suite with a national water strategy.