Alberta spends $104 million on projects to prevent flooding

In response to the devastating floods last June, Alberta has announced it will provide $104 million for three projects that will allow excess floodwater to be released from reservoirs. The projects are to protect dams from erosion or washouts, which will reduce flood damage to downstream communities.

One project being upgraded is the Bassano Dam, a 100-year old structure that “barely survived” the 2013 flood. The Eastern Irrigation District, which owns the dam, has yet to select an engineer for the upgrade, which will involve constructing a new concrete emergency spillway to replace the existing earthen spillway.

At the Travers/Little Bow Dam southeast of Vulcan, AMEC and Klohn Crippen are the engineers for an upgrade that involves a combined emergency spillway and connecting canal. Also the Little Bow Dam will be raised and the irrigation outlet will be replaced.

MPE is the consulting engineer for a project at Taylor Coulee Wasteway and Bullhorn Wasteway near Cardston. The existing wooden emergency spillways is being replaced with larger, concrete spillways.

“Water management infrastructure is critically important to communities in southern Alberta and needs to remain in working condition during an emergency situation. These upgrades ensure these structures are as prepared as possible for future floods,” said Robin Campbell, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.