Springbank Off-stream Reservoir

The Government of Alberta has acquired all of the land required to build SR1. Next steps will focus on moving it into the construction phase.

Earlier in 2021, the provincial and federal regulators issued decisions on the project, concluding its regulatory review:

• On June 22, 2021, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (PDF, 132 KB) (NRCB) issued its decision about the SR1 project, finding it to be in the public interest.
• On July 8, 2021, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) stated in its decision statement (PDF, 928 KB) that SR1 is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with several conditions in place.
• On July 20, 2021, the federal government confirmed its $168.5 million in funding for SR1 through Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

SR1 is a component of the larger flood, drought and fire management plan led by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.

This plan includes several existing, planned and proposed projects at provincial and municipal levels. SR1 is a significant element of the flood management strategy within the Bow River Basin.

The provincial and federal regulators have issued decisions finding the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project (SR1) to be in the public interest. Next steps will focus on moving it into the construction phase remaining land acquisition, provincial Water Act and Public Lands Act approvals and federal fisheries authorization.

Construction of the complex, multi-year SR1 began in spring 2021 and is expected to continue to 2025. When operational, it will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Together, the combined storage capacity will accommodate the excess water volume that caused much of the 2013 flooding.

SR1 will reduce flood risk by managing downstream river flow rates and volume offering flood protection for the city of Calgary and communities downstream on the Elbow River.

The Government of Alberta is investing a total of $744 million in construction of SR1. The Government of Canada also contributed $168.5 million to the project.

On June 23, 2016, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) announced that a federal environmental assessment is required for SR1.

The decision comes after CEAA concluded its 45-day review of the project to determine if a federal environmental assessment is required. In accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012), we submitted the Springbank Reservoir project description to CEAA on May 6, 2016.

The CEAA review, which included a 20-day public comment period, is a standard practice for projects that could meet or exceed certain triggers within the legislation.

You can find more information at:

• CEAA – Public Notice Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project
• Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project: EIA Work at McLean Creek – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 191 KB)