The provincial government has unveiled its plans to upgrade the spillways and reservoirs surrounding four dams in an attempt to protect the barriers from erosion and washouts.
On Wednesday, Robin Campbell, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, announced its intentions to improve the following areas in the hope of preventing future damage to downstream communities and agriculture:
- Travers/Little Bow Dam
- Bassano Dam
- Taylor Coulee Wasteway
- Bullhorn Wasteway (near Cardston)
The four upgrade projects are in response to the historic flooding of southern Alberta in June 2013 and are expected to carry a $104 million price tag.
Upgrades are expected to include:
- The raising of the Travers/Little Bow Dam and the completion of the construction of an emergency spillway and canal
- Construction of a concrete emergency spillway at the Bassano Dam (cost to be shared with the Eastern Irrigation District)
- Construction of concrete emergency spillways at the Taylor Coulee Wasteway and Bullhorn Wasteway to replace the current wooden structures
“Water management infrastructure is critically important to communities in southern Alberta and need to remain in working condition during an emergency situation,” said Robin Campbell, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. “These upgrades ensure these structures are as prepared as possible for future floods.”
