The Government of Alberta provided a recent update on the detailed Scoping and Feasibility Study to assess the potential for a new reservoir near Ardley on the Red Deer River. Launched in October 2024 and running through March 2026, the study is examining whether a new dam and reservoir near Ardley can be:
- Designed and operated safely within today’s regulatory framework,
- Cost-effective and beneficial for Alberta’s communities and economy,
- Supportive of water management priorities across irrigation, drought resilience, and flood control.
As of June 2025, the study has completed its scoping phase, which involved a technical desktop review and a field visit to refine the study area—from just east of the City of Red Deer to the Content Bridge at Highway 21.
The team is now preparing for field activities through fall 2025, which will include:
- Geotechnical investigations,
- Environmental surveys on vegetation, wildlife, and fish habitat,
- Aerial surveys and targeted studies on both public and private lands (with landowner permissions).
Stakeholder and public engagement plans are underway, with more details expected later in 2025.
- Albertans can direct inquiries to: EPA.Ardley@gov.ab.ca
- Visit the Ardley Reservoir Scoping and Feasibility Study webpage (https://www.alberta.ca/ardley-reservoir-scoping-and-feasibility-study) for an overview of the project and the scope of work.
- The Red Deer River Municipal Users Group (RDRMUG), has presented details of the project at recent council meetings and says costs are estimated to range between $2 to $4 billion dollars and the reservoir would be four times the size of the Gleniffer reservoir.
Community Questions from RDRWA’s 2024 Fall Forum
During the RDRWA 2024 Fall Forum, GOA presented an update on the project and participants had the opportunity to ask questions. Below are some of the recently received responses with the full list included on RDRWA’s website.
Q: Why is the government considering a new reservoir near Ardley? Who stands to benefit and who would pay for the new reservoir? Is this reservoir for Special Areas Irrigation project or local projects?
A: A potential new reservoir near Ardley is being assessed to determine the costs and value of constructing and operating a new reservoir, and its impact on communities, farmers, and businesses, and the environment. The assessment will explore who may benefit from the stored water as well as the anticipated regulatory requirements and potential next steps if the government decides to continue advancing the project. If the reservoir is constructed, water diversion and usage will be determined through the government’s existing regulatory programs and water licencing processes.
Q: Will the study consider future precipitation changes while evaluating a potential new reservoir near Ardley?
A: The consultant’s analysis will include future flow scenarios using multiple climate projections. These scenarios will help the government determine the water security and drought mitigation benefits of a new reservoir for a range of potentially wetter and drier conditions in the Red Deer River basin.
Q: Will the study assess lands around the proposed reservoir?
A: The study will identify the types, uses and cost estimates of the lands around the proposed dam site. This information will support the technical, environmental, social and economic factors being evaluated as part of the Ardley Reservoir Scoping and Feasibility Study.
Q: Has there been or is being any work done to assess the effectiveness of using natural infrastructures rather than dams?
A: The focus of the study is on the assessment of a new reservoir near Ardley. The government continues to support the assessment and development of natural infrastructure through programs like the Watershed Restoration and Resilience Program and Drought and Flood Protection Program.
Q: Would a series of smaller reservoirs, rather than one large reservoir, have less impacts and more benefits?
A: Larger reservoirs generally provide more total storage and operational flexibility at lower costs relative to a series of multiple smaller reservoirs. Optimizing the reservoir’s size to maximize the value to Albertan’s is a part of the feasibility study.
For RDRWA updates and ongoing engagement opportunities, visit: RDRWA Watershed Activities