A restored wetland in the County of Grande Prairie (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Budget 2024

Alberta plans study for new water reservoir in Red Deer County as way to prevent droughts

Mar 14, 2024 | 6:20 PM

A new water reservoir in Red Deer County may be part of the province’s plan to protect Albertans from droughts.

The Alberta government says if Budget 2024 passes, they will invest more than $35 million to help maximize how water is used and prevent future droughts from affecting communities.

Of that, $4.5 million would be invested to study a new Water Reservoir in the Red Deer Basin, specifically in Ardley, a hamlet about 50 kilometres east of the city of Red Deer.

Government officials say that as Alberta’s population continues to rise, do does the demand for water from communities and businesses. At the same time, however, parts of the province have experienced droughts and water shortages in recent years and are at risk of a severe drought again this year. They say action is needed to better share, store, conserve and manage water.

As a result, the province believes new investments will help make Alberta more naturally drought-resistant in the long term with healthy, thriving wetlands and watersheds while creating a more modern water-management system to support growing communities and their economies in the 21^st century.

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“We must find new and better ways to reduce the impacts of droughts and make every drop of water count. That’s why we are taking action to improve wetlands and transform how water is managed in our province. This funding would help maximize Alberta’s long-term water supply to ensure communities and businesses thrive,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

IMPROVING WATER MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION

As part of the $35 million, the budget includes $23 million over three years for improving the province’s water management system to increase water availability for communities and businesses. They say the funding would be used to advance four pillars of the province’s water strategy:

1. Water storage: Along with the $4.5 million to study a new Ardley Water Reservoir, the province would launch a province-wide review to determine other areas where new water storage projects would be most beneficial.

2. Water management: The province would conduct a detailed review of the current water management and regulatory system to identify new opportunities to better utilize water.

3. Water conservation: The province would work with water users and partners to identity new ways to improve water conservation, efficiency, and productivity.

4. Real-time data and information: The province would continue modernizing Alberta’s water management information system to allow real-time, digital information that is available anytime, anywhere.

The province confirms that more information about these initiatives will be released as projects and programs unfold.

IMPROVING WETLANDS AND WATERSHEDS

Officials say wetlands and watersheds provide useful, natural protection against drought by helping to store water during rains and spring runoff, maintain water levels in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, and cool and humidify surrounding areas to maintain healthy ecosystems.

The government would also invest $8.7 million for the Wetland Replacement Program and $3.5 million for the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program to improve Alberta’s natural drought protection.

The Wetlands Replacement Program aims to help municipalities and non-profit organizations construct or restore wetlands in Alberta. The partners work with private or public landowners to restore wetlands that were previously drained, partially drained or filled-in, and to fund construction of new wetlands in appropriate sites.

Since 2020, over $14 million has been invested into the program, restoring 440 hectares of wetlands in partnership with eight municipalities and two non-profit organizations. It includes $4 million in landowner payments to rural Albertans participating in the program.

Municipalities and non-profit organizations are eligible to receive funding under the Wetland Replacement Program and applications are accepted year-round.

“This announcement of additional funds for wetlands and watersheds would help in efforts to combat the ongoing drought. Utilizing a mix of farm communities, local government, watersheds and non-profits to deliver these important projects is a prudent investment by the province to ensure we are managing limited water resources as effectively as we can,” said Jim Fisher, Vice-President of Canadian policy for Delta Waterfowl. The Duck Hunters Organization has a Central Alberta Chapter in Red Deer.

The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program provides grants to support projects that reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects of flood and drought. Previous grants have helped restore riverbanks, stabilize stream banks, improve natural drainage, and support outreach and public education.

Since 2020, over $11 million has been invested in the program. Municipalities and non-profit organizations can apply for funding for projects that will enhance a community’s ability to withstand future flooding or droughts and promote the ongoing stewardship and preservation of Alberta’s watersheds. Applications for 2024-25 will open later this year.

“Wetland replacement and watershed restoration programs are an excellent investment in our natural infrastructure. These projects will enhance Albertans’ ability to mitigate against drought and floods while enhancing our natural environment and water quality. It’s a win-win approach,” said Andre Asselin, Executive Director of the Alberta Water Council.

Giving updates on other projects, the province says construction of the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) is underway and is expected to be operational in 2025. A feasibility study on options for the Bow River Reservoir is expected to be completed this year and a feasibility study on the Eyremore Dam project is expected to begin this year.

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