Supporters of an alternative to the Springbank dry dam (SR-1) – known as the Tri-River Joint Reservoir of Alberta project (TRJR) – are looking to build a robust following for what they feel is a viable flood mitigation solution.
Around 25 people attended Redwood House in Redwood Meadows on Oct. 4 to learn more about the flood mitigation alternative that has been waved off by the province but that supporters are trying to draw more public awareness to.
“We need to build a critical mass so more people are made aware that the Springbank dam is only a temporary reservoir,” explained Dr. Karen Massey, a psychologist and resident of Redwood Meadows who said she is concerned that the underground springs the Springbank dam would be built on could result in back-up problems.
She is encouraging people to visit preventingalbertafloods.ca to sign the petition to make the TRJR grassroots movement reviewed by the province.
Dubbing it as the “alternative comprehensive solution,” Massey was made aware of the proposed flood mitigation project by founder Dr. Emile Gabriel earlier this year.
The Springbank dry dam solution has been heavily criticized by those living upstream of it, including the roughly 30 landowners whose land would be taken up by it.
Critics maintain that the solution is an appeasement of wealthy landowners living downstream and is political in motivation.
Residents in Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows – some of the most affected by the 2013 flood – are also provided no flood mitigation relief as a result.
Gabriel, a civil engineer, and his team propose that the TRJR project will provide more comprehensive protection – through a reservoir upstream, encompassing the headwaters of the Elbow, Highwood and Sheep rivers.
The capacity is said to be superior to that of the Springbank dry dam, as well as the McLean Creek alternative.
To date, the the Comprehensive Flood and Water Management Council – a Calgary-based volunteer group looking to explore alternatives to the Springbank dam – has supported the project.
Barbara Teghtmeyer, owner of the Bragg Creek Trading Post, along with husband, Robb, attended the event.
Their building and attached home were destroyed by the 2013 flood and Barbara continues to be “moved” by the coming together of their community some four years later.
The Teghtmeyers are hopeful the government will take a serious look at a robust alternative and employ science to investigate the best alternative before moving ahead with the Springbank dam.
“I want them to at least take a look at it … the objective it to make people aware of it (the TRJR) and to petition the government to at least look at it with scientific input,” said Barbara, who feels the province unfairly wrote off the possibly of the project without taking an in-depth look into it.
The TRJR supporters are looking to confirm another presentation in Redwood Meadows in early November.
