Glenmore Dam infrastructure improvements

The Glenmore Dam has been key part of Calgary's water infrastructure system since the early 1930's. The wear and tear the dam has experienced over 85 years of service, and the ever increasing demands of a growing city, mean the time has come for an extensive upgrade. These improvements will not only extend the life of the dam, but will help manage our drinking water supply and give us the ability to better control low and high river flows.

The first phase of the Glenmore Dam Infrastructure Improvements Program is the Utilities Relocation Project. This project involves moving the water and gas utility lines currently running across the top of the dam to a new tunnel excavated underneath the Elbow River. This is needed to allow access to the dam while upgrades are being made, which include a new bridge deck with better access for maintenance and pathway users, concrete work on the face of the dam, and a new steel gate and hoist system.

While the normal maximum operating levels of the reservoir remains the same, the new gate system will provide greater flexibility to manage reservoir storage during low flows in the winter and high flows in the spring.

There will be no impact to reservoir users while utilities are being relocated. Once phase two begins, reservoir water levels may need to be lowered to access certain parts of the dam. We do not expect this to be necessary until October 2017.

The pathway across the dam will be closed to the public during phase two, and then until the work is complete in 2020. Pathway detours will be implemented during this time and signage will be available to assist pathway users.

Benefits for Calgary

• Increased efficiency in how we operate the water treatment plant and meet the demand for drinking water
• Ability to manage the impact of high flows on the Elbow River, similar to those we experienced in 2005.
• Extended lifespan of the concrete dam and bridge deck
• Enhanced appearance of the Glenmore Dam, an iconic structure and one of the City's oldest landmarks
• Improved access to the bridge deck including a wider, more user-friendly pathway across the dam, complete with unobstructed views upstream and downstream

Project timelines

Construction has begun for phase one and is anticipated to be complete in June 2017. Phase two construction will begin in fall 2017, and the new steel gates and elevated hoist system is expected to be operational by spring 2020.