Dickson Dam Upgrade Layout Plan

The Dickson Dam, located west of Innisfail and southwest of Red Deer, Alberta, is undergoing a multi-phase upgrade to enhance its flood control, water management, and infrastructure resilience. The project aims to increase the dam's capacity to handle extreme flood events and ensure a reliable water supply for downstream communities, including Red Deer and Drumheller368.

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  • Raised the height of the service spillway walls.

  • Upgraded the spillway basin to protect downstream areas from erosion.

  • Enhanced the spillway drainage system to safely manage higher peak flows.

  • Increased service spillway capacity from 2,500 to 3,500 cubic metres per second.

  • Cost: $10.5 million4568.

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  • Modify and upgrade the auxiliary spillway, increasing its discharge capacity from 2,800 to 4,900 cubic metres per second23678.

  • This will allow more water to be safely discharged from Gleniffer Reservoir during flood events.

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  • Structural improvements to the dam and adjacent dikes to boost flood resilience and water management capabilities2368.

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  • Construction to begin in 2024, with completion targeted for 2025–2026368.

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  • Both the service and auxiliary spillways are being upgraded to accommodate higher flow rates.

  • The auxiliary spillway, in particular, will see a substantial capacity increase, which is central to the layout changes2368.

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  • The layout plan includes reinforcing existing dikes and dam structures to handle increased water pressure and prevent erosion or structural failure during extreme events2368.

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  • The upgrades are designed to improve the dam's ability to store and release water efficiently, balancing supply and flood protection for downstream communities456.

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  • New features will ensure safe operation during high-flow conditions and minimize environmental impacts, supporting fish and wildlife habitats68.

Feature	Pre-Upgrade Capacity	Post-Upgrade Capacity (Phase 2)
Service Spillway	2,500 m³/s	3,500 m³/s (Phase 1 complete)
Auxiliary Spillway	2,800 m³/s	4,900 m³/s (Phase 2 planned)

• The project is part of Alberta’s $140 million water management program, with an additional $50 million allocated in Budget 2024 for infrastructure upgrades, including Dickson Dam78.

• Managed by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation168.

The Dickson Dam upgrade layout plan centers on increasing spillway capacities and reinforcing dam and dike structures to enhance flood protection and water supply reliability for central Alberta. Phase 2, beginning in 2024, will focus on the auxiliary spillway and further structural improvements, with completion expected by 2025–20262368. These enhancements are critical for managing future flood risks and supporting regional growth.

Citations:

1. https://majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Dickson-Dam-Capacity-Enhancements-Phase-3/10607
2. https://rdnewsnow.com/2024/04/27/phase-2-upgrades-at-dickson-dam-to-begin-this-year/
3. https://www.thealbertan.com/innisfail-news/dickson-dam-enhancement-project-will-improve-flood-handling-8660209
4. https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/first-phase-of-dickson-dam-upgrades-complete-7300513
5. https://rdnewsnow.com/2024/01/25/completion-of-dickson-dam-upgrades-will-help-protect-communities-like-red-deer-from-extreme-flooding/
6. https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/dickson-dam-getting-more-upgrades-7350476
7. https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/government/2024/04/alberta-adds-50-million-to-water-management-infrastructure-funding
8. https://www.watercanada.net/alberta-invests-in-water-management-infrastructure/
9. https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/awards/pdfs/C-2_DicksonLakeWaterSystem.pdf

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