Should New Reservoirs Be Built on the Bow River?
Official title: Bow Basin water management options engagement
Alberta studied three options for new water storage on the Bow River: a reservoir near Morley, expanding Ghost Reservoir, or building between Ghost and Bearspaw dams. The government gathered public feedback in fall 2019 to help decide which option, if any, to pursue.
Why This Matters
Live in Calgary or downstream communities? Your water supply depends on the Bow River. These reservoirs could protect against droughts and floods. But they'd also change the landscape and affect nearby communities like Morley.
What Could Change
A new dam and reservoir could be built west of Calgary. Ghost Reservoir might be expanded. Either option would increase water storage capacity for the region, affecting flood control and drought resilience for decades.
Key Issues
- Should a new reservoir be built near Morley between Horseshoe Dam and Ghost Reservoir?
- Should Ghost Reservoir be expanded?
- Should a new reservoir be built between Ghost Reservoir and Bearspaw Dam?
How to Participate
- Review the Bow Basin water management options: conceptual assessment to understand the three reservoir options studied.
- Learn more about the Bow Basin water management options for additional background.
What Happened
Public feedback was collected through information sessions and online engagement from September 9 to October 31, 2019. The conceptual assessment examined three reservoir options identified by the Bow River Working Group in 2017.