Saskatchewan is marking progress on the $12 million Buffalo Dam upgrades, with major rehabilitation work completed and infrastructure improvements nearing completion. On Thursday, the Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency (WSA) David Marit, along with stakeholders, marked progress on the project that’s meant to strengthen the safety of the dam, improve flood resilience and support long-term water security for south-central Saskatchewan communities. “Everybody, when they turn on their tap on in the morning, they are going to have water. Safe drinking water. We are investing in that infrastructure,” Marit said. According to the province, Buffalo Pound Lake supplies water to about 25 per cent of the population in Saskatchewan, while providing water for two potash mines and other industrial facilities, creating billions in economic activities in the province. Several key projects at Buffalo Pound Dam are either underway or completed, including crews restoring the emergency spillway to its original height and strengthening the area below with protective rock, helping the dam safely handle high water levels and minimize erosion during floods. “The projects we’re recognizing today started with inspections, engineering assessments. Careful planning that helped us identify where investments would have the greatest impact on the long-term safety and performance at Buffalo Pound Dam,” said Kevin Wingert, the executive director of operations and management at the WSA. In terms of the control structure and safety upgrades, the project is replacing aging, mechanical, electrical and concrete infrastructure, which includes a new control building, upgraded equipment, backup power generation, a safety boom system and improvements to water control and fish passage systems. The province says that the project is almost complete. When it comes to erosion and seepage repairs, crews are stabilizing sections of the dam and repairing impacted areas to maintain long-term safety. The bridge deck project includes repairs to bridge joints and concrete, which have been completed. The bridge surface was also repaved to improve long-term durability. New monitoring equipment is being installed to track water flows, which will assess the condition of the dam and support ongoing safety assessments. “These projects represent a historic commitment to public health, safety and sustainable growth. They are investments that will protect our quality of life, support economic development and strengthen our region for decades to come,” Moose Jaw Mayor James Murdoch said. The province says construction is also expected to begin this month on upgrades to the Upper Qu’Appelle River channel, which will improve water flow and reduce erosion between Lake Diefenbaker and Buffalo Pound Lake. Almost $40 million has been invested in over 60 water infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan this year.
