Cougar Creek
March 21, 2023: A new short-term scope of work has been established and awarded to a new contractor, who is on the construction site this week. The scope of work includes protecting the existing work and fortifying the parts of the structure that are below-grade. Administration plans to return to Council later in the year with a comprehensive plan for full project completion expected in 2025, with work on many aspects of it underway. A mutual termination agreement with Flatiron was signed on March 10 and they have completed demobilization from the site.
To view a video of the presentation click here.
To view a video of the presentation click here.
This page contains information on the Debris Retention Structure and will be updated on a regular basis during construction - keeping you up to date on impacts in the area.
Construction Impacts - Updated March 23, 2023
- Work on the project has re-started.
- A permits for night work has been approved for the project. Vehicle movements in the creek will be limited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all efforts to minimize noise on site will be taken.
- The Lady MacDonald hiking trail remains closed.
- Cougar Creek Canyon remains closed for the duration of construction.
- The following closures are currently in place:
Long-Term Mitigation: Debris Flood Retention Structure
What will it look like?
- 34m high rock-filled embankment dam (not constructed out of concrete)
- Upstream and downstream faces covered by soil and seeded
- 20m wide rock-cut spillway on the east abutment that includes wildlife egress areas
What will it do?
- Existing channel and downstream culverts can accommodate 50-60 m3/s, but a natural event on the creek could easily reach 80 m3/s peak flow with 20% debris (fine sediment to large boulders, including gravel and woody debris)
- The Structure reduces peak flow to 45 m3/s. It further reduces the quantity of debris and removes the larger debris
- The risk to downstream private and commercial properties, as well as infrastructure, is therefore reduced to an acceptable level
- There is no water retention during regular operation (dry dam) – water flows freely through a low-level outlet
- A high capacity spillway is required to ensure flows can bypass the structure during an extreme flood event
Contact Us
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the project completion date been pushed back to early 2025?
The contract deadline for project substantial completion for the fall of 2021 was missed. As a result, the Town issued a Notice of Default to the contractor, requiring remedy for the default and an updated plan for completion. The contractor disputed the Notice of Default. The dispute process is ongoing. Due to the dispute, there is significant uncertainty around the schedule at this time. Over the summer of 2022 little progress was made, and the updated schedule now has substantial completion in late-2024, and full completion in early 2025.
You can watch the November 15, 2022 update to Council here, the presentation starts at the 1:01:00 mark.
You can view an update to Council on the impacts of the June 2022 rainfall event on the project here, the presentation starts at the 2:30:00 mark.
You can watch the November 15, 2022 update to Council here, the presentation starts at the 1:01:00 mark.
You can view an update to Council on the impacts of the June 2022 rainfall event on the project here, the presentation starts at the 2:30:00 mark.
What do the construction closures involve?
The closure during construction will impact climbing and hiking in Cougar Creek; all other access to the trails and scrambles in the area will remain open with the exception of blasting closures. Trails that will remain open include Montane, Lady MacDonald (now closed for blasting and worker safety), Grotto Mountain and the Horseshoe loop. Do not attempt to access the closure area at, thru, or around the construction sites at any time.
Why are closures being put in place? What alternatives were considered?
The construction closure is to ensure public and contractor safety as well as timely and cost-efficient construction.
Alberta Parks and the Town of Canmore considered constructing an alternative route around the closure to access Cougar Creek Canyon. Due to the challenging steep terrain on Lady MacDonald and Grotto Mountain, Alberta Parks determined that closing access is the best alternative for ensuring public safety.
Alberta Parks and the Town of Canmore considered constructing an alternative route around the closure to access Cougar Creek Canyon. Due to the challenging steep terrain on Lady MacDonald and Grotto Mountain, Alberta Parks determined that closing access is the best alternative for ensuring public safety.
Is it possible to hike around the closure to access the canyon?
Hiking around the closure to access Cougar Canyon is not permitted. There is a designated wildlife corridor in this area of Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and use is only permitted on designated trails.
What environmental studies have been undertaken for the project?
A very comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken for the project. The EIA was followed by three rounds of supplemental information request by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP). Once the EIA was deemed complete by AEP, the Natural Resource Conservation Board reviewed the project and approved it in October of 2019. The EIA and supplemental information reports, as well as the NRCB review and decision can be found here.
How is the Town ensuring that the best environmental practices are being followed during construction?
The Town has been working with its consultants and Alberta Environment and Parks to create guiding documents for the construction of the project. The two main guiding documents are:
1. The Construction Environmental Management Plan, that describes principles, best practices and specific requirements during the construction of the project; and
2. The Water Quality Management and Monitoring Environmental Protection Plan, that describes the water monitoring requirements during construction of the project.
Moreover, the contractor is required to submit to the Town and its consultants several work plans and environmental protection plans (EPPs) that need to follow the requirements of the guiding documents described above. Examples of plans required for the project: Care of Water work plan, Erosion and Sediment Control EPP, Wildlife and Human Conflict EPP, Invasive Species Control EPP, etc.
1. The Construction Environmental Management Plan, that describes principles, best practices and specific requirements during the construction of the project; and
2. The Water Quality Management and Monitoring Environmental Protection Plan, that describes the water monitoring requirements during construction of the project.
Moreover, the contractor is required to submit to the Town and its consultants several work plans and environmental protection plans (EPPs) that need to follow the requirements of the guiding documents described above. Examples of plans required for the project: Care of Water work plan, Erosion and Sediment Control EPP, Wildlife and Human Conflict EPP, Invasive Species Control EPP, etc.
