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Part of Springbank Off-stream Reservoir

Land use planning – Springbank Off-stream Reservoir

Land use planning is underway to guide safe access and use of the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir.

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Springbank Off-stream Reservoir

Overview

The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir is located within Rocky View County, approximately 15 km west of Calgary at the junction of Highway 22 and Springbank Road. The project lands cover an area of approximately 1,566 hectares (3,870 acres). The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir is currently under construction.

A land use plan will guide future use of the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir project lands. The plan will reflect the unique environmental and historical values of the area and provide context for intended use and management of the project lands in alignment with provincial legislation and policies.

The land use plan will apply to the dry reservoir, diversion infrastructure, diversion channel and earthen dam structure.

During flood events, the diversion infrastructure will divert Elbow River floodwater flows through the diversion channel into the dry reservoir and the earthen dam structure will hold the water. The dry reservoir will only contain water during flood emergencies. After the floodwater flows decrease, a gated outlet will control the release of the floodwaters back to the Elbow River, connecting through an existing unnamed creek channel.

Specific regulatory conditions attached to the approval of this project requires that 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.

About the land use plan

The land use plan for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir project will promote safe access and the appropriate use of the project lands.

The plan includes:

  • the location and context of the project lands
  • access management to:
    • identify restricted access areas within the project lands and project infrastructure to ensure safety and the successful operation of the flood water management infrastructure
    • describe closure scenarios to restrict access and use during periods of increased risk to public safety, during operational management activities or for managing environmental sensitivities
  • policy direction for:
    • project operations and land management for flood mitigation, including access for maintenance and other operational activities and additional land and vegetation management to ensure the dry reservoir is ready for use during a flood event
    • First Nations’ priority access and use of the project lands, ensuring reasonable access to the project lands to support the exercise of treaty rights and traditional uses where compatible with operational and safety requirements
    • public access and use of the project lands for limited year-round non-motorized recreational and regulated recreational activities

Input into the land use plan

Land use committees

The land use plan was informed by Indigenous communities and organizations, local municipalities, community organizations, local landowners and other stakeholders through participation in 2 land use committees. The committees started meeting in early 2022.

  • First Nations Committee

    The First Nations Committee emphasized the importance of First Nations’ priority access and use of the project lands to exercise their treaty rights and traditional uses. 

    Consisting of representatives from Treaty 7 and Treaty 6 First Nations, the committee shared varying perspectives and knowledge with the Alberta government, highlighting the importance of the project lands for their environmental and cultural values.

     

  • Joint Land Use Advisory Committee

    The Joint Land Use Advisory Committee consisted of representatives from Indigenous communities and organizations, local municipalities, local community groups, local landowners, environmental organizations, recreation groups and other interested stakeholders.

    This committee provided advice and submitted the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir: Land Use Plan Recommendations Report for public use and access of the project lands to the Alberta government for consideration in development of the draft land use plan.

Public engagement

Albertans shared feedback on the draft land use plan through an online survey from February 12 to March 17, 2024. All feedback on the plan is currently being reviewed and will be considered in the final land use plan.

Indigenous engagement

Indigenous communities and organizations shared feedback on the draft land use plan for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir project through an online survey from February 12 to April 14, 2024. Additional feedback was shared through one-on-one meetings.

The final land use plan is expected to be completed by spring 2024.

Stay informed about the Off-stream Reservoir Land Use Plan.

Project and land management

Several Alberta government ministries share responsibilities for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir project and project lands:

  • Transportation and Economic Corridors led the initial application and approval process and continues to oversee the construction of the project infrastructure.
  • Environment and Protected Areas is responsible for leading land use planning for the project lands.
  • Agriculture and Irrigation will assume operational and management responsibilities of the infrastructure and project lands.
  • Forestry and Parks will support responsible management of the project lands.

Learn more about the project:

Contact

Connect with the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Land Use Planning team:
Email: [email protected]
 

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