Monday, September 22, 2025
The Alberta government is studying whether to build a new dam and reservoir on the Belly River and make improvements to the Waterton–St. Mary Headworks System as part of efforts to strengthen water security in the province’s south.
The province has hired WSP Canada to lead the feasibility and optimization study which will assess the proposed reservoir northwest of Mountain View in Cardston County and examine how water flow between the Waterton and St. Mary reservoirs could be improved. The work is expected to take several years.
“We are looking for ways to improve water security to guard against drought and flood and help our farmers and ranchers feed the world,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
A new reservoir could provide greater drought and flood resilience, improve water supply for communities and agriculture, and support aquatic ecosystems. Several irrigation districts depend on the Belly River as a source, including Magrath, Mountain View, Raymond, St. Mary River, Taber and United.
The headworks system is critical infrastructure for irrigation, municipal, industrial and recreational water use, while also supporting fish habitat, flood mitigation and erosion protection.
Rehan Wasti, a vice president with WSP Canada, said the firm was “proud to contribute to Alberta’s long-term prosperity through meaningful, impactful solutions.”
Local producers also welcomed the move. “Irrigation is the lifeblood of agriculture in southern Alberta,” said Fred Rice, district manager of the United Irrigation District. “We are excited to see this feasibility study going forward, and we look forward to its results.”
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation currently owns and operates more than 80 dams, 340 kilometres of major irrigation canals, four pumping stations and various flood protection structures across the province.
