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Hanson Ranch Wetland Improvements

Project Update - December 2023

Thank you for visiting us during our pop-up sessions in September. We enjoyed meeting members of your great community and have compiled what we heard into a report. These sessions were an opportunity for the project team to ‘Listen and Learn’, as well as an opportunity for participants to engage in conversation about the upcoming wetland improvements. 

The What We Heard Report provides details regarding what was discussed during our September pop-up sessions, and gives a summary of key themes from those sessions.

About the Project

The Hanson Ranch Wetland is a constructed wetland type of storm pond that was built in 1999 to retain stormwater runoff in the Hanson Ranch/Hidden Valley community near West Nose Creek. Since it was initially constructed, the facility has deteriorated through natural processes including wind/wave action, sediment movement and settling within West Nose Creek that have resulted in it not functioning as designed. Because of this, the storm pond is no longer compliant with environmental regulations. In consultation with municipal, provincial, and federal regulators, we’re undertaking a redesign to improve the facility and meet regulatory requirements. Improving this constructed wetland will help reduce the risk of impacts to West Nose Creek and provide an opportunity to enhance the surrounding park area.

Project Benefits

The goal of the redesign is to allow this constructed wetland to meet all the following functions:   

  • Meet existing, new, and updated environmental regulatory requirements to protect the creek and the surrounding environment.
  • Support stormwater storage demands and release water to West Nose Creek in a controlled way.
  • Improve quality of water leaving the storm pond.
  • Restore and enhance wildlife habitat.
  • Provide social and cultural value to citizens by improving constructed wetlands to help offset wetland losses.
  • Reduce the risk of future damages due to environmental degradation, thus keeping maintenance needs and costs as low as possible and minimizing community impacts.
  • Reduce stagnant water to minimize the risk of odor issues.
  • Continue to occupy a similar footprint and blend into the natural environment. 
  • Provide access to the area and improve amenities such as pathways, trails, and benches.

Project timeline

  • Detail Design: 2022-2024
  • Anticipated Regulatory Permitting: 2023-2025
  • Anticipated Construction Start: To Be Determined (late summer 2024 at the earliest)
Timelines are dependent on several factors such as; regulatory permitting, complexity, available budget, supply chain, inclement weather and/or other unexpected circumstances.

Stay Connected

Sign up for email updates to receive news and notices about the project.

Connect with the project team

For more information, please contact the project team at HansonRanchWetland@calgary.ca

If you have concerns about noxious weeds on City property. Please visit Pest Management for more information or call 311.

Document Library

Project map

 

Estimated Budget: TBD

Map of Current Conditions

Additional Information about Constructed Wetlands

There are 3 types of storm ponds: Dry, Wet and Constructed Wetland (Storm ponds in Calgary).  All types of storm ponds capture and contain stormwater for a period and release it more slowly, helping to reduce the rate of runoff, thereby reducing the potential for flooding and erosion downstream. Constructed wetlands can improve sediment and nutrient filtering to a greater degree than Wet and Dry Ponds. This helps return cleaner water to our rivers and streams. They hold water during droughts and help replenish groundwater and replenish water in the atmosphere through evaporation. They also provide valuable habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals.

 

Project Location

The storm pond is located north of Beddington Trail, north and south of Hidden Creek Drive N.W. and east of Stoney Trail N.W.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this project required?


Currently the Hanson Ranch Wetland storm pond facility cannot be operated as it was originally designed and isn’t compliant with the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act approval. The facility is also not compliant with the Water Act because the original design incorporated West Nose Creek within the facility. In addition, the earth berm separating the storm pond facility from West Nose Creek is now considered a dam under the Alberta Dam and Canal Safety Directive and will require approval under the Water Act.

The improvements are needed to meet current municipal, provincial, and federal guidelines and regulations, and to improve the overall function of this constructed wetland so that it can meet stormwater storage demands and release water to West Nose Creek in a controlled way.  Completing this work will help to improve water quality and reduce erosion in West Nose Creek and will reduce maintenance needs, thereby lowering costs and minimizing community impacts.

Will this work impact the nearby natural area/pathway/sidewalk?

There will be impacts to the nearby natural area/pathway/sidewalk during construction, but once construction and maintenance work are complete, the area will be returned to the same uses (i.e. constructed wetland within the natural area and pathway/sidewalks replaced to similar or better condition than prior to construction.) The existing pathway adjacent to the storm pond will be improved as part of the project.

Can this constructed wetland be grandfathered?

We are not able to grandfather the facility to bypass needing to meet current regulations. This facility is not compliant with original approvals or existing regulations; therefore, grandfathering is not an option.

What measure(s) will be taken to minimize/mitigate wildlife disruption?

The project requires a Biophysical Impact Assessment (BIA) which is reviewed and approved under the City of Calgary’s framework. The BIA will identify affected wildlife species and habitat and will recommend efforts to help mitigate impacts. The BIA must be approved before construction can start. More information will be shared before construction.

 One of the objectives of the Hanson Ranch Wetland Improvements is to restore and enhance wildlife habitat and native vegetation for the long-term benefit of the area.

There are beavers in the area, what will happen to the beavers?

Beavers are good for our environment, but also pose some challenges. One of the main functions, and regulatory requirements, of this type of infrastructure is to be able to manage high water levels during storm events and unfortunately, beavers can negatively impact this important function. Our goal is to design the facility so that beavers can't impact it the way they have in the past.

The City’s practice is to try and strike a balance between health of the surrounding areas and the wellbeing of the beavers. To learn more about beavers, the challenges they present, and our approach to beaver management, please visit our Beavers webpage.

What efforts will be made to restore and enhance the area?

A Habitat Restoration Plan is part of the design process and is required to be developed in collaboration with biologists. We are also required to comply with all provincial and federal legislation and regulations. For more information on habitat restoration, visit Habitat Restoration.

How long will it take to complete the project once construction begins?

The project is currently in the detailed design phase.  Construction timelines will be determined and shared with the community prior to construction.

How will the improvements address odors?

The water quality improvements will help reduce nutrient loads, which are typically a cause of odors. Visit Storm Ponds in Calgary FAQs for more information.

When will more details regarding the improvements to the constructed wetland be available?

Typically, details are provided prior to construction. We will host an information session before construction.

Will you collect any input from the community when making these improvements?

Due to the nature of this project, we must first work on a design for the constructed wetland that complies with the current regulatory requirements, standards, and guidelines. Once we are able to meet these requirements, there may be a possibility to integrate public feedback on potential public realm improvements (i.e. viewing points, shade structures, benches, etc.) in the area. We continue to explore opportunities for these types of improvements and will update the community once we’ve established the parameters around the regulations, standards, and guidelines.

Why has the project been ongoing since 2016?

The need to review the condition and operation of the Hanson Ranch Wetland was originally identified in 2016.  Planning and design work (engaging with federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory agencies and other regulatory groups) began in 2016; although, design completion and construction were paused. Since then, we have completed a condition assessment, looked at conceptual options, and completed preliminary geotechnical investigations. We’ve also started conversations with federal and provincial regulators.

The project did not receive funding to proceed to the design phase until Q4 of 2018.

What will be done to minimize parking and traffic congestion during construction?

Once a contractor is engaged, they will develop traffic management plan(s) which will aim to minimize disruption to the public while balancing the need for efficient project execution.  Information related to impacts will be shared with the community prior to and during construction.

Can the pathway immediately adjacent to the constructed wetland be maintained in the winter?

The snow on the pathway adjacent to the constructed wetland cannot be cleared at this time due to the current conditions and infrastructure in place. Once the improvements are made, we will re-evaluate for clearing in the future. In the meantime, the regional pathway along Hidden Creek Drive NW is currently snow cleared and connects to all nearby pathways. For additional information on Pathways Snow Clearing, and to view a map for the areas cleared, click here to learn more.

Does this work include any improvements to the sidewalks on Hidden Creek Drive immediately adjacent to the Hanson Ranch Wetland?

Yes, the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the Hanson Ranch Wetland that are in poor condition or that are impacted during construction will be restored to better condition as part of the project. 

Will the pond be smaller?

With the new design, we plan to continue to occupy a similar footprint of the storm pond and blend into the natural environment; therefore, there may be more vegetation in some areas. The additional vegetation is part of a well-designed constructed wetland and helps improve water quality.

Why can the storm pond not be used for recreation activities such as skating?

It’s not safe to skate, walk or play on storm ponds Here’s why:

  1. The water in these ponds contains sediment and contaminants (e.g. road salt, vehicle fluids, bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides) that are collected as water travels through the community on their way to the storm pond, which can weaken the ice.
  2. Water levels are constantly changing as water moves between inlet and outlet pipes creating unstable air gaps between the ice and water.

For more information, please visit our webpage related to storm pond safety

Is fishing permitted in the storm pond?

As per the Stormwater Bylaw 37M2005, fishing is prohibited within Calgary storm ponds. It is also illegal to stock or release fish into a storm pond. Some fish species that have been artificially placed in storm ponds by the public are considered invasive and can have harmful impacts on native fish populations.

Will these improvements address noxious weeds in the area?

Pests like noxious weeds are common throughout Alberta. We’re working to reduce weed establishment before construction. Weed management will continue throughout construction and during the maintenance period after construction, while new vegetation is establishing. If you have specific concerns about noxious weeds on City property, call 311.


This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

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