Improving water storage

The Water Storage Opportunities Study will identify and rank suitable locations for water storage across the province to boost water security and protect against drought and floods.

The study will be used to further evaluate current water storage projects and identify potential projects that are suitable for future feasibility studies. 

• Potential location: Various opportunities will be assessed across the province
• Timeline: The study report is expected to be completed in 2025
• Lead ministry: Environment and Protected Areas
• Consultant: MPE, a division of Englobe, a Canadian engineering consulting firm
• Read the news release: Water storage review underway (December 5, 2024)

The Ardley Reservoir feasibility study is a 2-phase, multi-year study that will explore the costs and value of constructing and operating a new reservoir, and its impact on downstream communities, farmers and ranchers, and businesses.

• Potential location: On the Red Deer River, approximately 40 kilometres east of the City of Red Deer
• Timeline: The scoping phase, identifying conceptual options, is expected to be completed in January 2025. The feasibility phase, assessing the feasibility of the options, is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.
• Lead ministry: Environment and Protected Areas
• Consultant: Hatch Ltd, a Canadian multi-disciplinary professional services firm
• Read the news release: Central Alberta reservoir study underway (November 19, 2024)
• Learn more: Ardley Reservoir Scoping and Feasibility Study

The Eyremore Dam feasibility study will assess whether the Eyremore Dam can be built and operated for a cost that provides value to Albertans and the economy.

• Potential location: On the Bow River, about 43 kilometres downstream of the Bassano Dam, west of Brooks and Lake Newell
• Timeline: The study is expected to be completed in spring 2026
• Lead ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
• Consultant: Hatch Ltd, a Canadian multi-disciplinary professional services firm
• Read the news release: Consultant chosen for Eyremore Dam study (March 25, 2024)

After completing a thorough feasibility study, Alberta's government decided to move forward with the engineering and environmental assessment of the Relocated Ghost Dam project. This would be an expansion of the existing Ghost Reservoir to protect downstream communities on the Bow River and provide water security for the Bow River basin. 

• Potential location: An expansion of the existing Ghost reservoir west of Cochrane, with a new dam constructed further downstream
• Timeline: Engineering and environmental assessment processes are expected to begin in 2025
• Lead ministry: Transportation and Economic Corridors (Environment and Protected Areas led the first 2 phases of this project)
• Consultant: To be determined
• Owner and operator: To be determined
• Learn more: Bow River Reservoir Options

The government is studying the feasibility of building a dam and reservoir on the Belly River in southern Alberta and possible improvements to the Waterton-St. Mary Headworks System, including its reservoirs and canals. The study seeks to improve water security, provide drought and flood resiliency, and support the aquatic ecosystem. WSP Canada is hired by the government to complete the study.

• Potential location: A Belly River dam and reservoir could be located about 5 kilometres northwest of Mountain View.
• Timeline: The study is expected to take several years.
• Lead ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
• Consultant: WSP Canada
• Read the news release: Investigating water storage in southern Alberta