On Thursday, August 18, safety and maintenance upgrades to the Bear Creek Dam and nearby land located in Muskoseepi Park begin.

The work is the result of routine inspections and maintenance that the City is required to undertake to keep the structure in good working condition. The current structure was originally built in the 1970s and requires more extensive upgrades and required maintenance due to its age and current condition.

In addition to the required maintenance, the City is improving the accessibility of the area around the Bear Creek Control Structure. The City reviewed the design to ensure as many parts of the repaired or replaced infrastructure meet the Barrier-Free Design Guide created by the Safety Codes Council of Alberta. These improvements are intended to expand the number of residents able to access and enjoy the area around the spillway and reservoir.

The Bear Creek Control Structure includes the concrete spillway and the earthen dam.

 

The full scope of construction includes the:

  • removal of several large trees and vegetation. The trees pose a risk to dam failure by encouraging water movement through the dam.
  • repair of erosion damage, concrete throughout the dam structure and spillway mechanical and electrical equipment.
  • installation of a new debris management boom upstream of the spillway, an access and maintenance pathway for the boom, lighting along the primary pedestrian pathway and staircase and addition of a new pathway to access the improved pedestrian lookout at the bottom of the spillway.
  • replacement of the failing retaining wall adjacent to the pathways and the staircase on the north side of the spillway.

Trees and vegetation growing within and adjacent to the dam structure must be removed as part of the work because their root systems grow in a location which can result in internal erosion and altered water flows. All efforts have been made to limit the number of trees and vegetation required to be removed.

The trail within the project site will be closed for up to 3 weeks duration construction. Detours will be in place for closed trails and work is expected to be completed by November 2022.

For more information on the maintenance happening at the Bear Creek Dam Control Structure please, visit cityofgp.com/bearcreekdam.

Information provided by the City of Grande Prairie