Province slashes one flood mitigation option; controversial plan near Cochrane remains on table

The province has eliminated one of the projects being considered to reduce drought and flood risk along the Bow River, meaning the likelihood of another controversial project moving forward is even higher.

There were originally three options on the table for the Bow River Flood Mitigation project and now that the province is no longer considering erecting a dam near Morley — the odds of the province moving forward with a reservoir at Glenbow East west of the city have escalated.

Jeromy Farkas, CEO of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, says he understands why the province killed the idea, but doesn’t understand why they are still contemplating the option that he says poses a risk to Glenbow Ranch Park and the town of Cochrane.

“The amount of feedback that we’ve got is tremendous,” he says. “Thousands of people have been contacting us, and the government, to find a solution that really makes sense for Calgary and Cochrane.”

A meeting was held two weeks ago in Bearspaw, the sixth such meeting the foundation has hosted to discuss the potential impact of the project.

Farkas says a reservoir at Glenbow East would send water away from Calgary and back into the town of Cochrane and risk damaging hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of infrastructute.

“We think that is a critical piece that hasn’t really been discussed,” he says.

Farkas says flooding Glenbow Ranch would also flood the new Haskayne Legacy Park, which is not even a year old.

Officials eliminated the idea of a dam near Morley due to concerns it would impact hiking and green spaces. The other option still being contemplated is relocating or altering the Ghost Dam.

Farkas is also calling out the province for a lack of public consultation. He says it has pretty much been limited to an online survey that has since closed.

The government is expected to make a final decision at the end of this year.

With files from Phil Wood