A study costing $5 million will investigate whether constructing a new Eyremore Dam and Reservoir is possible on the Bow River, but it has already angered environmental groups.
Ruiping Luo, a conservation specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association, said, “It’s going to impact the nearby lands, the flooding that will happen once the dam is operational.”
The organization has major worries about the dam and reservoir.
The project would be situated approximately 43 kilometers downstream of the Bassano Dam, southwest of Brooks and Lake Newell, according to the province.
“The location they’ve chosen is in an environmentally significant area and it’s on native prairie. And native Prairie especially is something that we’ve already lost a lot of in Alberta. And with that native Prairie we’re losing a lot of the species at risk, a lot of the wildlife that relies on that habitat,” Luo added.
Members of the Bow River Irrigation District claim the reservoir is necessary to enhance water management.
Richard Phillips, the general manager of the district, stated, “Right now, the Oldman Reservoir is called on to really be the source of water for the South Saskatchewan River for obligations there.”
“Having another reservoir in that system on the Bow River, which we currently don’t have, will really improve water management through the whole system,” Phillips added.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson stated that environmental concerns will be considered in the study.
“We are collaborating closely with our Minister of Environment to ensure that all environmental impacts are examined and understood before proceeding with a project of this size,” Sigurdson said.
The feasibility report is expected to be completed in spring of 2025.
