The Springbank Off‑stream Reservoir (SR1) is one of the most significant dam engineering projects constructed in Canada in more than three decades. Initiated following devastating floods in 2013, it provides flood protection along the Elbow River for Calgary and other downstream communities.
Since 2014, our team has led SR1’s engineering design, impact assessments, engagement, Indigenous participation plan, tendering, construction review, and commissioning services. Throughout the project, we prioritized innovation and environmental protection while collaborating with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (ATEC), Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI), Indigenous groups, landowners, regulators, sub-consultants, and suppliers.
As the engagement lead, our team used comprehensive modeling to support the project’s design and impact assessment. We completed dam breach inundation, consequence, and water management network modeling to assess cascade failure modes, support downstream emergency operations planning, and simulate interactions between SR1 and the Glenmore Dam during various flood events.
This project is Alberta’s first large-scale dry, off‑stream reservoir, and the first major dam constructed in the province. It introduces a unique approach that combines two conventional strategies (flow diversion and dry reservoir detention) into a single, integrated system. It also establishes a national benchmark for inclusive project delivery through its Indigenous Participation Program, supporting meaningful engagement, monitoring, and economic participation.
SR1 was substantially completed ahead of the 2025 flood season, meeting the Province of Alberta’s critical safety timeline while delivering a fully functional extreme consequence dam. It now provides essential flood protection for Calgary and other downstream communities, delivering an estimated multi-billion-dollar economic benefit by safeguarding infrastructure, businesses, and communities.
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