DIDSBURY - Town council has come out in support of ongoing efforts to protect the Red Deer River from future droughts and to encourage provincial government support for a proposed feasibility study.
The Red Deer River Municipal Users Group (RDRMUG) is an association of rural and urban municipalities within the Red Deer River basin and communities that receive water from the river.
The association is focused on protecting the river and promoting sustainable usage. Other members include Red Deer and Mountain View counties, as well as area towns such as Sundre.
RDRMUG would like to see the provincial government provide funding for the feasibility study in the 2024 budget, Bill Windsor, Didsbury town councillor and association vice-chair, said during an Oct. 10 Didsbury council meeting, held in person and online.
The study would look at the possibility of creating water storage (in-line) along the river course for use in future dry years.
“We have started to canvas the members of RDRMUG to get endorsement for moving forward with the advocacy, to urge the minister of Agriculture to add a feasibility study to his budget for 2024 for some kind of additional in-line storage on the Red Deer River,” Windsor said.
While the Bow and Oldman rivers have fairly good drought resilience due to water storage along the rivers, the Red Deer River is not so resilient, he said.
“The Red Deer River is so susceptible that if we have two years of drought in a row, we are going to be in trouble. In order to ensure longevity along the road, we need to have this in-line storage for all communities along the Red Deer River.”
At the recent Alberta Municipalities annual convention, RDRMUG officials spoke with the minister of Agriculture and the minister of Finance about the matter.
The Red Deer River runs along the complete length of Mountain View and Red Deer counties, passing through the town of Sundre. Existing in-line storage of water on the river takes place at the Dickson dam west of Innisfail.
Council carried a motion that stated: “Council supports the advocacy efforts of RDRMUG to urge the minister of Agriculture to include in his budget presentation to the Finance minister funds for a feasibility study for in-line storage on the Red Deer River.”
Council carried a second motion supporting Coun. Windsor’s participation in the advocacy efforts.
RDRMUG’s mandate includes serving as an advocate of municipal interests in the supply, use, delivery and quality of water in the Red Deer River.
Deputy mayor Curt Engel chaired the Oct. 10 council meeting in mayor Rhonda Hunter’s absence.
