CALGARY, ALTA. – Upgrades to Calgary’s Glenmore Dam are now complete.
One of the key upgrades to the structure was the installation of 21 steel gates, each measuring 2.5 metres high and weighing 10,000 pounds. The new gates will provide an extra 10 billion litres of storage in the spring to allow for greater flood protection along the Elbow River.
“The possibility of a flood along the Elbow River is something we cannot risk. This project is the first major milestone in providing the protection Calgarians expect. By adding 10 billion additional litres of capacity, we have doubled the protection offered by the Glenmore reservoir, and that is reason for celebration. The next step is the approval and construction of the Springbank Reservoir, and we will continue to provide whatever support is necessary to the province to ensure it is completed,” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said in a statement.
“Flooding presents a serious threat to public safety and can have devastating impacts on homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. The upgrades at Glenmore Dam will bring peace of mind to those living and working downstream and help avoid disruption to lives and livelihoods during severe weather events,” added Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon.
The $81 million investment in the dam upgrade was a collaboration between the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary, with $7.6 million from the Alberta Community Resilience Program, a provincial grant program supporting development of long-term resilience to flood and drought.
A pathway on top of the dam is also being reopened with improvements such as the relocation of utility pipes which has doubled the width of the path, allowing for dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists.
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