Alberta's government has hired WSP Canada to study whether to build a dam and reservoir on the Belly River and make possible improvements to the Waterton and St. Mary Headworks System.

The government's water management infrastructure provides a reliable water supply for irrigation, municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational use. It supports fish and wildlife habitat, flood mitigation and erosion protection. To ensure Alberta's growing communities are protected and have the water supply they need, the provincial government is continuing to invest in strong water management infrastructure.

"We are looking for ways to improve water security to guard against drought and flood and help our farmers and ranchers feed the world. We are taking a whole-government approach to managing and maintaining provincial water infrastructure systems to make sure Albertans continue to have a safe, reliable water supply." RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

"It's a privilege to be entrusted with leading the Belly River Reservoir Feasibility and Waterton-St. Mary Headworks System Optimization Study - an initiative that plays a vital role in strengthening water resilience across southern Alberta. We're proud to contribute to Alberta's long-term prosperity through meaningful, impactful solutions." Rehan Wasti, vice-president, energy, resources and industry, WSP Canada A proposed reservoir on the Belly River

The proposed reservoir on the Belly River, about five kilometres northwest of Mountain View in Cardston County, could improve water security, provide drought and flood resiliency, and support the aquatic ecosystem.

"The United Irrigation District appreciates the government looking into the possibility of building a storage reservoir and dam on the Belly River and determining whether there are improvements to be made to the canal between the Waterton and St. Mary reservoirs. We are excited to see this feasibility study going forward, and we look forward to its results. Irrigation is the lifeblood of agriculture in southern Alberta." Fred Rice, district manager, United Irrigation District

At the same time, the consultant will also determine if there are opportunities to improve the canal between the Waterton and St. Mary reservoirs and how water flow between them could be improved. These studies are anticipated to take take several years.

Quick facts

*Agriculture and Irrigation owns and operates more than 80 dams, 340 kilometres of major irrigation headworks canals, four pumping stations as well as flood protection berms and dikes in the province.

*This infrastructure helps supply water for irrigation, communities and industry.

*Several irrigation districts depend on the Belly River as a water source, including:

-Magrath, Mountain View, Raymond, St. Mary River, Taber and United Irrigation Districts.