News

Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project

Friday, March 1, 2024

Rocky View County is committed to providing ongoing and transparent communication as it becomes available on the provincial SR-1 Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir project.

For more information on the SR-1 project, visit: 

• Springbank Off-stream Reservoir - Alberta.ca
• Have your say on Springbank Reservoir land use, click here. Albertans are invited to help shape the land use plan for the new Springbank Off-stream Reservoir. Complete the online survey before March 18, 2024. 
• Learn & Share Opportunity: 
  • Thursday, March 7, 2024,  3pm – 8pm 
  • Friday, March 8, 2024,   1pm – 5pm 
  • Location: Springbank Park For All Seasons 
  • Rocky View County planning department is providing input into the Provincial Springbank Reservoir Project (SR1) Draft Land Use Plan. Come out for a coffee and let’s discuss the draft plan. The County will share your feedback with the Province. 
  • Can't make these dates but want to make sure we have your voice to share up, put your information in this form/survey before March 14, 2024.
• Government of Alberta News Release, May 5: Construction on Springbank Reservoir Begins
• Road Updates and Detours

Update from Alberta Government For Your Information: 

Share your thoughts on the draft land use plan for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project (February 2024)

A draft land use plan has been developed for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) Project to guide future use of the project lands, which include the dry reservoir, diversion infrastructure, diversion channel and dam structure.  

When the project lands are not being used for flood mitigation or operational activities, First Nations will have priority access for the exercise of treaty rights and traditional uses. Public access and other uses, such as non-motorized recreational activities, will also be permitted.  

Indigenous communities and organizations, and Albertans, are invited to review the draft land use plan and share their thoughts on how the project lands may be used outside of flood mitigation and operational activities.  

Review the draft land use plan and find engagement opportunities at Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Land Use Plan engagement.   

Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project- 24 hours 7 Days per week Construction to Begin May 31, 2023 

For any questions, please contact Springbank-project@gov.ab.ca or the Community Liaison at SR1.communityliaison@gov.ab.ca 

This construction season, an estimated 3.5 million cubic metres of fill material will be moved as part of construction of the Springbank Off-stream Dam Project. This requires the movement of 35,000 cubic metres of fill material daily. 
 
The contractor will need to use all good weather days to complete this work. Beginning May 31, 2023, earthwork operations will proceed on a 24-hour schedule, 7 days per week, including holidays. This schedule is expected to continue for the duration of the summer and end later in fall. 
 
Fill material from the Diversion Channel (highlighted in yellow on the map below), will be excavated, loaded onto trucks and hauled to the placement area at the Dam (highlighted in purple below). Trucks will use the temporary bridge above Highway 22 constructed to remove all impacts to public traffic using Highway 22. 

Over the course of the season, work will also be advancing on various concrete structures onsite including the Diversion Inlet, Emergency Spillway, Debris Deflection Barrier, Service Spillway, Grade Control Structure, Auxiliary Spillway and two bridges. Concrete pours may be completed at night. 
 
Noise, dust and changes to the landscape will be ongoing as this work is completed. Given the location of this project, overall impacts to the public are anticipated to be minimal; however, area residents will notice significant activity on site. 
 
This season, to support construction, between 600 and 800 skilled construction people will be onsite, including: 200-300 earthworks labourers, 150 labourers completing civil works, 150 staff completing subcontractor specializations and 100 staff and consultants. First Nations and Indigenous groups are part of the project and include personnel in the categories mentioned above. 
 
The site is a busy workspace and is closed to the general public. Members of the general public who choose to enter site are trespassing and are putting themselves and construction workers at risk. Please respect the work area and obey all construction signage. Thank you for your cooperation as this project continues. 

Map of the SR1 Project - evacuation and placement areas to build the Dam 

SR1 Project - Temporary bridge installed above Highway 22 to allow material hauling being performed without impacting the public traffic. 

Road closures and detours due to the project are:

• Detour for bridge construction on Highway 22 between Township Road 242 and Springbank Road. Motorists can expect minor days from mid-May 2022 to October 2025. (Details)
• Detour for Temporary Overpass Bridge Deck Removal (Details)

A complete list of information on construction and maintenance affecting County roads is available on our road updates webpage.

Additional information on Rocky View County’s response is available on our Springbank Dam webpage.

Posted in: Roads News & Updates Springbank