Upstream flood protection
New upstream reservoir on the Bow River
This Government of Alberta project on the Bow River would capture water from large floods and could provide seasonal water supply in the face of climate uncertainty and risk of drought.
In 2024, the Government of Alberta announced the advancement of the relocated Ghost Dam option to Phase 3 Engineering & Regulatory approvals. The concept includes relocating the current Ghost Dam slightly downstream to increase the size of the existing reservoir and the amount of water that can be stored during floods or times of water shortages.
An upstream reservoir on the Bow River is critical for Calgary’s long-term flood and drought resilience. Having this upstream water storage solution will help ensure a secure water supply, while managing flood and drought risks in a changing climate.
Modified operations at TransAlta’s Ghost Reservoir
This agreement between the Government of Alberta and TransAlta has the Ghost Reservoir kept low during flood season to help control the flow of water through Calgary and significantly reduces Calgary’s risk of flooding.
Status: The agreement to modify operations at Ghost Reservoir for flood mitigation purposes from May to July is in place until 2026.