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 to be in the public interest. Next steps will focus on moving it into the construction phase remaining land acquisition, provincial Water and Public Land Acts approvals and federal fisheries authorization.

The Springbank Reservoir will be functionally operational after the second year of construction (1:100 year flood) and fully operational after the third year of construction.

The budget for the Springbank Reservoir is $432 million. The final budget will be known once land acquisition is complete and costs for final design are known.

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)