Options proposed by the province to mitigate flooding in Calgary raise concerns

Advocates at Glenbowy Ranch Park near Calgary are concerned about the province’s options for flood mitigation. The province is currently exploring three options and is asking the population to have their say on this subject.

Two of the three options are judged completely catastrophicby park defenders. They consider that this decision could “destroy or overwhelm the provincial park Glenbow Ranch and the park Haskayne » west of the City of Calgary, if the province moves forward with its plan to build a dam between the village of Cochrane and Bearspaw.

In 2017, the government suggested carrying out conceptual assessments of three major reservoir options on the River Bow in order to billion dollars in damage to Calgary.”,”text”:”reduce major catastrophic weather impacts like the 2013 floods which caused over $5 billion in damage to Calgary.”}}”>reduce major catastrophic weather impacts like the 2013 floods that caused more than $5 billion in damage to Calgary.

The results of the evaluation concluded Morley, Ghost and is-Glenbow, located east of the village of Cochrane.”,”text”:”that it is possible to increase the storage of flood water and drought water at the three possible reservoir sites; Morley, Ghost and East Glenbow, located east of the village of Cochrane.”}}”>that it is possible to increase the storage of flood water and drought water at the three possible reservoir sites; Morley, Ghost and is-Glenbowlocated east of the village of Cochrane.

This option would be absolutely catastrophic for usunderlines Jeremy Farkas, president and CEO of the foundation Glenbow Ranch Park; a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the provincial park Glenbow Ranch.

He says a third of the provincial park’s 3,300 acres would be flooded during a severe weather event if that option were pursued.

According to him, the province should “move towards solutions that work […] preserve and maintain our wetlands” instead of preventing access 000people”,”text”:”to the 200,000 people”}}”>to 200,000 people who visit the park every year.

Mr. Farkas also explains that this dam would push water towards the municipality of Cochrane and endanger residents.

“It would not protect Cochrane in the event of a flood […] nor would it be useful to that community in the event of, say, a drought or water shortage,” he says.

And towards the East, the dam would damage the park Haskayne; newly developed, according to Mr.Farkas.

M$ to be able to build and develop the park”,”text”:”This is a park that hasn’t even been open for a year. It took nearly $28M to build and develop the park”}}”>This is a park that hasn’t even been open for a year. It took nearly $28 million to build and develop the park.underlines Mr. Farkas.

The other option considered by the province is the reservoir located between Seebe And Morley; in the Nation Stoney Nakoda. The foundation discourages this option, noting that it should be removed from discussions because it would result in flooding of the land. 7″,”text”:”our Treaty neighbors7″}}”>our Treaty 7 neighbors.

However, the best solution, according to the foundation, would be to move and expand the tank Ghost; a reservoir located between Morley and is-Glenbow.

This is a much narrower and deeper reservoir and will not have the same problems with mud and salt. It also makes it possible to preserve the existing coastline of the reservoir.

Consultations

The province wants to hear from Albertans on how it should evaluate these options and understand community concerns. She set up a virtual 3D information session that people can view.

Albertans who wish to weigh in on these options have until May 6.