Dam Cessation Project

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | Swan Hills, AB

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural) put in cessation one of their long-time freshwater reservoirs located in the Swan Hills, Alberta area. The asset was once required for the successful development of the Swan Hills field; however, having been in service for over forty years, the risk and liability in maintaining this asset today outweighs any benefit for current operations.

Team Experience and Regulatory Relationships are Crucial to Developing a Plan that Works.

This project is unique, as a dam of this magnitude has never been put into cessation within Alberta. Journey Engineering Corp. (Journey) worked collaboratively with Canadian Natural, Government Agencies, Biologists, Hydrologists, as well as Geotechnical expertise to successfully satisfy the Alberta Dam and Canal Safety Directive to receive Water Act approval for the release.

Activities undertaken to support the dam cessation application included an aquatic and fishery review, Water Act approval, rapid draw down analysis, and the compiled Dam Cessation Plan. The reservoir has been successfully released and works are underway to ensure the dam remains in cessation until next steps are determined.

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