The Government of Alberta (GOA) is seeking public input on a potential reservoir to increase water storage capacity and enhance water security in the Red Deer River basin. Input will be used to help the GOA assess the feasibility of designing, constructing and operating a potential new dam and water storage reservoir on the Red Deer River. An online survey is open until July 30 alongside in-person and virtual engagement sessions on July 14 and July 16, respectively.
The potential reservoir would be located near the Hamlet of Ardley with a dam site about 40 to 60 kilometres east of the City of Red Deer, crossing public and privately owned land in Lacombe County, Red Deer County and the County of Stettler.
RMA member resolution 2-24S (Water Apportionment Performance) called for the GOA to ensure that, to the extent physically possible, Alberta retains its share of the natural flow of the South Saskatchewan River to reduce the impact of drought. The GOA supported this resolution, noting the provincial work underway on potential new and expanded reservoir options in southern Alberta.
RMA encourages its members to provide input on the potential Ardley Reservoir to raise awareness of any social, environmental, cultural or economic considerations, and to ensure the reservoir design incorporates local factors.
For more information, please visit: Ardley Reservoir Scoping and Feasibility Study.
For more information, contact RMA’s Policy and Advocacy team at advocacy@rmalberta.com or 825.319.2383.