Historical Review of Flood and Drought Detention and Diversion Sites

Overview

WaterSMART Solutions Ltd. (WaterSMART) was commissioned by the Government of Alberta (GoA) to conduct historical reviews of the Athabasca, Elbow and Red Deer River watersheds to determine previously identified flood and drought mitigation options. The reports analyzed existing historical maps, reports and investigations that contain information with respect to previously proposed strategies for flood and drought mitigation. Historical records were obtained from the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta and City of Calgary archives. Records were also obtained from the Calgary Public Library, Glenbow Museum Archives and the University of Calgary Library.  Dr. John Gilpin, a Western Canada Water Resource Historian, and Lauren Eden, a Researcher at WaterSMART, conducted the research and reviewed the findings. The maps included in the reports outline the historically identified diversion and detention sites. These maps referenced the historical records and were created by a GrandDuke Geomatics a company specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  

Upon review of the historical documentation related to water diversion and detention sites on the Athabasca, Elbow and Red Deer Rivers from the past 110 years, WaterSMART discovered a number of possible flood and drought mitigation options.  The historical reviews showed there are similarities between how flood and drought mitigation have been addressed in Alberta over the past century. 

Historically identified solutions for flood mitigation have been in the form of: 

  • overland diversions;
  • detention sites;
  • floodplain zoning restrictions;
  • ecological restoration of the watershed;
  • storage in the headwaters;
  • system of dykes; and 
  • reinforced natural storage basins. 

Historically identified solutions for drought mitigation have been in the form of water storage sites some of which link to large gravity feed irrigation schemes. 

WaterSMART Solutions Logo
Logo of the Government of Alberta
Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.