The Alberta government has announced plans to conduct a feasibility study for a new reservoir on the Red Deer River near Ardley, east of Red Deer, aimed at combating drought and supporting the region’s growing communities and industries.
As central Alberta experiences increasing demand for water from both communities and businesses, expanding water storage capacity is becoming a critical concern. A new reservoir could potentially mitigate the risk of future droughts, ensure water security, and bolster the region’s economy for years to come.
The study will assess the costs and benefits of constructing the Ardley reservoir, focusing on the advantages it could provide to downstream communities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.
“Central Alberta is a thriving region, and we need to ensure that water is available to meet its growing needs,” said Rebecca Schulz, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “This feasibility study will help determine whether an Ardley reservoir can be built and operated at a cost that provides true value to Albertans while supporting the growth of central Alberta’s communities and industries for years to come.”
RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, echoed the importance of the project: “Our government is delivering on our pledge to investigate a broad range of water management infrastructure options to ensure our growing communities, irrigators, and businesses have the water they need when they need it. Our agricultural producers depend on Alberta’s irrigation infrastructure to continue putting food on tables here and around the world.”
Reservoirs are vital for irrigation, drought management, water security, and flood protection. Alberta currently owns and operates several large reservoirs in the South Saskatchewan River Basin, which help maintain water supplies for communities, irrigators, and businesses while also preserving a healthy aquatic environment. The water stored at Gleniffer Lake, created by the Dickson Dam, supplements low winter flows along the Red Deer River, ensuring an adequate water supply for Red Deer and Drumheller.
Budget 2024 has allocated $4.5 million for the feasibility study, which will evaluate whether a dam near Ardley can be designed, constructed, and operated cost-effectively, with benefits including irrigation support, drought management, water security, and flood protection.
Qualified vendors have until September 30 at 2 p.m. to submit proposals for the study, which is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.
