Integrated watershed management planning is an ongoing process of identifying issues in a watershed, engaging with community members, stakeholders, and experts to determine shared goals, targets, and solutions, and then working together to implement desired changes.
Local Projects
June 2026
A three-part proposal has been developed for Highway 2 through the Red Deer area:
- Section A: Replacement of the Highway 2 overpass crossing the railway line.
- Section B: Widening of Highway 2 to six lanes north of Highway 11.
- Section C: Replacement of the Red Deer River bridges and widening of this section of Highway 2 to eight lanes.
Initial planning for the project began in 2025, with construction anticipated to be completed by 2030.
The public is invited to attend an information session to learn more about the proposed improvements:
Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Festival Hall, Red Deer
For additional information, please review the project PowerPoint presentation and visit the Government of Alberta’s Highway 2 Improvements project page:
https://www.alberta.ca/highway-2-improvements-in-the-red-deer-area
May 2026
The proposed Synapse data centre in Olds has indicated that it plans to use closed-loop cooling and steam systems to reduce water consumption and minimize wastewater generation. The facility would operate under the same water licence used by the Town of Olds, which is part of the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission. The project is also expected to include a water recovery system (WRS) to support the reuse and recycling of wastewater generated on site, while domestic water requirements would be supplied through the Town. Additional details on anticipated water usage are available on the Synapse Data Center FAQ page.
For those who may be directly affected by the proposed project, the Alberta Utilities Commission is facilitating an information session and hearing. Additional project and regulatory information is available through the Alberta Utilities Commission recent updates page and the Town of Olds Data Centre page. Concerns or environmental complaints can also be directed to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas through the Environmental and Dangerous Goods Emergencies Hotline at 1-800-222-6514
Larger proposed developments
E3 Lithium’s Clearwater Project will extract lithium from oil and gas brine resources at a commercial facility near Olds in Mountain View County, Alberta.
A final investment decision is expected soon. If approved, construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 with operations producing 36,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually by 2028.
Click here for more details.
The Municipal District of Acadia (MD of Acadia) and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project is located approximately 250 km east of Calgary and 100 km north of Medicine Hat, Alberta. This proposed greenfield irrigation project will provide irrigation within the MD of Acadia and Special Areas. The project includes the construction of a new pump station on the Red Deer River.
The MD of Acadia and the Special Areas Board continue to advance the planning on the Joint Irrigation project. The Phase II Report was completed in 2025 and submitted to the project partners for review and analysis. A public version of this report will be released soon.
The MD of Acadia and the Special Areas Board have initiated regulatory approvals for the project, including submitting a water licence application on February 15, 2025, to divert water from the Red Deer River to support the project. The proposed diversion site is near Bindloss Bridge, with a total requested volume of 170 million cubic metres and a maximum diversion rate of 15 cubic metres per second.
Further information can be found at the following project link: https://specialareas.ab.ca/regionalirrigation/
Resources:
The Government of Alberta is assessing opportunities to increase water storage capacity and strengthen water security in central Alberta, including the potential development of a reservoir on the Red Deer River near Ardley, east of Red Deer.
To evaluate whether a new dam and storage reservoir would provide economic and environmental benefits to Albertans, a Scoping and Feasibility Study is being led by Environment and Protected Areas. Hach Ltd. has been contracted to support the study, and technical work is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
Visit this page for additional details, including the study location, maps, and project timeline: Ardley Reservoir Scoping and Feasibility Study | Alberta.ca
The Government of Alberta (GoA) has announced two engagement sessions for mid-July. There will be an in-person engagement session at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Gasoline Alley on the evening of July 14, as well as an online session the afternoon of July 16th. For more information and registration for these sessions visit the GoA website.
GoA has also posted a short engagement survey that is open to all interested parties until July 30.
Stay informed by subscribing to email updates here. Forward any questions to epa.ardley@gov.ab.ca.
The project scope was presented at RDRWA Fall Forum in Delburne on October 4, 2024: View Presentation.