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Bow River Reservoir Options engagement

Albertans shared input to help reduce the impact of flood and drought on the Bow River and nearby communities.

Overview

Albertans provided feedback on possible options to help reduce the effects of flooding and drought along the Bow River by increasing storage capacity. Your input helped us identify and assess the potential socio-economic, environmental and other impacts of each option.

Feedback gathered contributed to the feasibility study, which determined that the Relocated Ghost Dam is the better option and will move forward to Phase 3: Engineering and regulatory approval process.

Status

  • Open

  • Results under review

  • Completed

    2025

Who is listening

Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas

Engagement timeline

  • Phase 1. Conceptual assessment

    Included a high-level hydrological study, tabletop geotechnical investigation, conceptual reservoir design and Indigenous, stakeholder and public engagement.

    November 2018 to March 2020
  • Phase 2. Feasibility study

    Determined the technical feasibility of the Relocated Ghost Dam and Glenbow East options as well as potential impacts and associated benefits, implementation requirements and costs of each reservoir option.

    Environment and Protected Areas has transferred this project to Transportation and Economic Corridors, all future engagement for this project will be hosted through them.

    March 2020 to March 2025
  • Phase 3. Engineering and regulatory approval process

    Includes detailed engineering and design of the selected option, and pursuit of required regulatory approvals.

    2025 to approximately 2033
  • Phase 4. Procurement, construction and commissioning (pending)

    Includes construction of the approved option, if a decision is made to proceed to this phase.

    Approximately 2033 to 2037*

Input received

  • Phase 2. Feasibility study – Round 1: May 2021 to March 2023

    Round 1 engagement included a virtual information centre, virtual live sessions, meetings with organizations, a meeting with potentially directly affected property owners, an online engagement portal with a mapping tool and question and answer section, a dedicated email address and a toll-free phone number.

  • Phase 2. Feasibility study – Round 2: April to July 2024

    Round 2 engagement gathered input from participants through an online survey. Engagement also included a virtual information centre, meetings with organizations, a dedicated email address and a toll-free phone number.

  • Phase 1. Conceptual assessment: November 2018 to spring 2020

    Phase 1 engagement gathered through stakeholder meetings, in-person public information sessions, an online questionnaire, an online engagement portal, a dedicated email address and a toll-free number.

Engagement resources

Learn more about the Bow River Reservoir Options initiative:

Outcomes

Your feedback helped us assess options to mitigate flood and drought impacts on the Bow River and choose the Relocated Ghost Dam option to move forward into Phase 3.

Contact

Connect with the Ghost Reservoir Infrastructure Project:
Email: [email protected]

For questions about Phase 1 and Phase 2:
Email: [email protected]

All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.

Update type:

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