Bear Creek Dam

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Bear Creek Dam Site Tours Cancelled

The Bear Creek Dam site tours scheduled for June 19 have been cancelled.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to connecting with residents through other engagement opportunities in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, you can stay up to date through engage.cityofgp.com/bearcreekdam.

Thanks for your understanding — and stay tuned for more ways to get involved.


The City of Grande Prairie, in collaboration with AtkinsRéalis, is reviewing five potential options for the future of the Bear Creek Dam.

Originally constructed in 1948 as a drinking water source, the reservoir has since filled with sediment, limiting its function. While the dam is expected to remain operational for approximately 30 more years, several challenges—such as sediment buildup, water quality issues, odour, erosion, flood control and fluctuating water levels—have prompted the need for long-term planning.

The study will help determine the best path forward and identify potential funding and partnership opportunities to support future improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement

Located near Muskoseepi Park, the Grande Prairie Museum and nearby neighbourhoods, the site holds significant value for the community. Feedback gathered during Indigenous and stakeholder engagement sessions in March 2025 helped shape the options currently being considered.


Option Summaries

Option 1: Maintain the Bear Creek Dam

This option retains the dam with possible upgrades to extend its life beyond 30 years, with minimal changes to the site.

  • New sediment trap pond (requires maintenance)

  • Small water pond for flood storage and recreation

  • Sediment placed and stabilized on reservoir banks

Option 2: Maintain Bear Creek Dam & Partially Remove Sediment

This option keeps the dam, with possible upgrades, and creates a large open water area for long-term use.

  • Creates a large permanent reservoir

  • Supports summer and winter recreation

  • Sediment partly reused for park space, rest moved off-site

  • Includes boat launch, parking, and new trails

Option 3: Partial Removal of Bear Creek Dam

This option removes the dam gates, concrete spillway and north embankment, declassifying the dam and restoring the river to a more natural state.

  • The spillway would be replaced with a gabion (rock basket) slope

  • Reuses sediment for added park space and trails

  • Adds pedestrian bridge and retains south berm (Borstad Hill) for recreation and festivals

Option 4: Complete Removal of Bear Creek Dam

This option fully removes the gates, spillway, and both earthen dams, declassifying the dam and restoring the river to a natural state.

  • Fully naturalized river channel

  • Park space expanded with trails

  • New pedestrian bridge added

  • South berm removal impacts existing recreational uses

Option 5: Restore Reservoir

This option proposes keeping the Bear Creek Dam and fully excavating the reservoir to potentially restore its historical size and support past aquatic recreational activities.

  • Most sediment moved off-site

  • Sufficient water depth to allow for full recreational activities

  • A sediment management pond in the upstream portion of the reservoir

  • Bear Creek Dam upgraded to handle restored water levels


Comparison Tables

Click here to view benefit comparisons between all five options, including:

  • Community benefits
  • Environmental benefits
  • Flooding & stability benefits
  • Cost benefits


Bear Creek Dam Site Tours Cancelled

The Bear Creek Dam site tours scheduled for June 19 have been cancelled.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to connecting with residents through other engagement opportunities in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, you can stay up to date through engage.cityofgp.com/bearcreekdam.

Thanks for your understanding — and stay tuned for more ways to get involved.


The City of Grande Prairie, in collaboration with AtkinsRéalis, is reviewing five potential options for the future of the Bear Creek Dam.

Originally constructed in 1948 as a drinking water source, the reservoir has since filled with sediment, limiting its function. While the dam is expected to remain operational for approximately 30 more years, several challenges—such as sediment buildup, water quality issues, odour, erosion, flood control and fluctuating water levels—have prompted the need for long-term planning.

The study will help determine the best path forward and identify potential funding and partnership opportunities to support future improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement

Located near Muskoseepi Park, the Grande Prairie Museum and nearby neighbourhoods, the site holds significant value for the community. Feedback gathered during Indigenous and stakeholder engagement sessions in March 2025 helped shape the options currently being considered.


Option Summaries

Option 1: Maintain the Bear Creek Dam

This option retains the dam with possible upgrades to extend its life beyond 30 years, with minimal changes to the site.

  • New sediment trap pond (requires maintenance)

  • Small water pond for flood storage and recreation

  • Sediment placed and stabilized on reservoir banks

Option 2: Maintain Bear Creek Dam & Partially Remove Sediment

This option keeps the dam, with possible upgrades, and creates a large open water area for long-term use.

  • Creates a large permanent reservoir

  • Supports summer and winter recreation

  • Sediment partly reused for park space, rest moved off-site

  • Includes boat launch, parking, and new trails

Option 3: Partial Removal of Bear Creek Dam

This option removes the dam gates, concrete spillway and north embankment, declassifying the dam and restoring the river to a more natural state.

  • The spillway would be replaced with a gabion (rock basket) slope

  • Reuses sediment for added park space and trails

  • Adds pedestrian bridge and retains south berm (Borstad Hill) for recreation and festivals

Option 4: Complete Removal of Bear Creek Dam

This option fully removes the gates, spillway, and both earthen dams, declassifying the dam and restoring the river to a natural state.

  • Fully naturalized river channel

  • Park space expanded with trails

  • New pedestrian bridge added

  • South berm removal impacts existing recreational uses

Option 5: Restore Reservoir

This option proposes keeping the Bear Creek Dam and fully excavating the reservoir to potentially restore its historical size and support past aquatic recreational activities.

  • Most sediment moved off-site

  • Sufficient water depth to allow for full recreational activities

  • A sediment management pond in the upstream portion of the reservoir

  • Bear Creek Dam upgraded to handle restored water levels


Comparison Tables

Click here to view benefit comparisons between all five options, including:

  • Community benefits
  • Environmental benefits
  • Flooding & stability benefits
  • Cost benefits

Questions

Use this section to ask any questions related to the Bear Creek Dam. City Administration will review and follow-up to all posted questions.  

Please note, questions may be responded to publicly or privately, depending on the scope and sensitivity of the question.

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  • Share What was the point of the long rehab of the spillway/dam if now you want to remove it? #5 is the best get back to when you could rent watercraft under Center 2000 on Facebook Share What was the point of the long rehab of the spillway/dam if now you want to remove it? #5 is the best get back to when you could rent watercraft under Center 2000 on Twitter Share What was the point of the long rehab of the spillway/dam if now you want to remove it? #5 is the best get back to when you could rent watercraft under Center 2000 on Linkedin Email What was the point of the long rehab of the spillway/dam if now you want to remove it? #5 is the best get back to when you could rent watercraft under Center 2000 link

    What was the point of the long rehab of the spillway/dam if now you want to remove it? #5 is the best get back to when you could rent watercraft under Center 2000

    davideaton69 asked 10 days ago


    Thank you for your feedback. I have prepared a response below but would like to encourage you to follow the City’s engagement page for this project (https://engage.cityofgp.com/bearcreekdam) as a way to stay updated on the Reservoir Feasibility Study and to continue to provide feedback as work progresses on the study.

     

    The City carried out repairs to the Bear River Control Structure to fix serious safety issues that were found during a 2018 inspection and later reviews. These problems included damage to the concrete, erosion, and aging mechanical and electrical parts—all of which could have posed risks to public safety and nearby infrastructure if left unaddressed.

     

    The goal of this repair work was to make the dam safe and stable for the foreseeable future, while also keeping future options open. At the same time, the City is looking more closely at the long-term future of the structure through a Reservoir Feasibility Study. This study is exploring several possibilities, such as ongoing maintenance, more upgrades, or even full reconstruction. These long-term decisions are still being reviewed and may not move forward for another 10 years or more.

  • Share what date will the tours be rescheduled? why was the June 19 one cancelled??? the weather was good enough for all of the school groups using the park and pool..... very disappointed that it was cancelled. on Facebook Share what date will the tours be rescheduled? why was the June 19 one cancelled??? the weather was good enough for all of the school groups using the park and pool..... very disappointed that it was cancelled. on Twitter Share what date will the tours be rescheduled? why was the June 19 one cancelled??? the weather was good enough for all of the school groups using the park and pool..... very disappointed that it was cancelled. on Linkedin Email what date will the tours be rescheduled? why was the June 19 one cancelled??? the weather was good enough for all of the school groups using the park and pool..... very disappointed that it was cancelled. link

    what date will the tours be rescheduled? why was the June 19 one cancelled??? the weather was good enough for all of the school groups using the park and pool..... very disappointed that it was cancelled.

    cml asked 9 days ago

    We’re currently assessing the best timing to reschedule and will share an update as soon as details are confirmed. Thanks for your patience and continued interest.

  • Share What detailed environmental assessment has been done with respect to these options prior to them being developed (in terms of wetland and wildlife fisheries) For that matter where are the assessments done prior to the Dam rehabilitation. on Facebook Share What detailed environmental assessment has been done with respect to these options prior to them being developed (in terms of wetland and wildlife fisheries) For that matter where are the assessments done prior to the Dam rehabilitation. on Twitter Share What detailed environmental assessment has been done with respect to these options prior to them being developed (in terms of wetland and wildlife fisheries) For that matter where are the assessments done prior to the Dam rehabilitation. on Linkedin Email What detailed environmental assessment has been done with respect to these options prior to them being developed (in terms of wetland and wildlife fisheries) For that matter where are the assessments done prior to the Dam rehabilitation. link

    What detailed environmental assessment has been done with respect to these options prior to them being developed (in terms of wetland and wildlife fisheries) For that matter where are the assessments done prior to the Dam rehabilitation.

    rga asked 23 days ago

    All of the presented options have a recommendation that during the pre-design phase, additional detailed studies are undertaken. This would include wetland, wildlife, aquatic and additional studies. Smaller geotechnical and environmental investigations were completed in 2012 and 2025; however, these are only preliminary in nature and will require additional more comprehensive studies once an option is selected.

  • Share How much money is budgeted for this project on Facebook Share How much money is budgeted for this project on Twitter Share How much money is budgeted for this project on Linkedin Email How much money is budgeted for this project link

    How much money is budgeted for this project

    Marshall asked 23 days ago

    The Reservoir Feasibility Study has a budget of $270,000. Once a long term design option is selected, additional funding will need to be secured to complete further studies and construction.

  • Share I like the ideas of option 2 or 5. What is the environmental impact going to be on the wild life that nest there every year? If walking trails and more park land is developed, what silviculture has been done one site? Right now we have black knot tearing through our community unchecked, what's to stop a disease going through the park especially if new or similar trees are brought in for beautification? on Facebook Share I like the ideas of option 2 or 5. What is the environmental impact going to be on the wild life that nest there every year? If walking trails and more park land is developed, what silviculture has been done one site? Right now we have black knot tearing through our community unchecked, what's to stop a disease going through the park especially if new or similar trees are brought in for beautification? on Twitter Share I like the ideas of option 2 or 5. What is the environmental impact going to be on the wild life that nest there every year? If walking trails and more park land is developed, what silviculture has been done one site? Right now we have black knot tearing through our community unchecked, what's to stop a disease going through the park especially if new or similar trees are brought in for beautification? on Linkedin Email I like the ideas of option 2 or 5. What is the environmental impact going to be on the wild life that nest there every year? If walking trails and more park land is developed, what silviculture has been done one site? Right now we have black knot tearing through our community unchecked, what's to stop a disease going through the park especially if new or similar trees are brought in for beautification? link

    I like the ideas of option 2 or 5. What is the environmental impact going to be on the wild life that nest there every year? If walking trails and more park land is developed, what silviculture has been done one site? Right now we have black knot tearing through our community unchecked, what's to stop a disease going through the park especially if new or similar trees are brought in for beautification?

    CDaigle asked about 1 month ago

    The potential impact on wildlife, vegetation and the overall ecosystem will be fully examined through a detailed environmental and wildlife assessment. This assessment will be a required step before any option moves forward.

  • Share The sediment that is taken off site, would that be partnered with Aquaterra and the land fill? Or could it be the start of a composting program that people could buy and use in their home gardens? on Facebook Share The sediment that is taken off site, would that be partnered with Aquaterra and the land fill? Or could it be the start of a composting program that people could buy and use in their home gardens? on Twitter Share The sediment that is taken off site, would that be partnered with Aquaterra and the land fill? Or could it be the start of a composting program that people could buy and use in their home gardens? on Linkedin Email The sediment that is taken off site, would that be partnered with Aquaterra and the land fill? Or could it be the start of a composting program that people could buy and use in their home gardens? link

    The sediment that is taken off site, would that be partnered with Aquaterra and the land fill? Or could it be the start of a composting program that people could buy and use in their home gardens?

    CDaigle asked about 1 month ago

    It depends on the results of the in-depth environmental testing of the sediment. If the sediment is found to be environmentally suitable, then the option to store and re-use can be explored by the City. 

    Partnerships with other organizations and facilities would be explored during the detailed design phase of the project.

  • Share What migratory fish do we have in Bear Creek? Is it possible for #2 and #5 to be modified in such a way that the passage of fish is allowed? It happens many other places to allow for fish migration. on Facebook Share What migratory fish do we have in Bear Creek? Is it possible for #2 and #5 to be modified in such a way that the passage of fish is allowed? It happens many other places to allow for fish migration. on Twitter Share What migratory fish do we have in Bear Creek? Is it possible for #2 and #5 to be modified in such a way that the passage of fish is allowed? It happens many other places to allow for fish migration. on Linkedin Email What migratory fish do we have in Bear Creek? Is it possible for #2 and #5 to be modified in such a way that the passage of fish is allowed? It happens many other places to allow for fish migration. link

    What migratory fish do we have in Bear Creek? Is it possible for #2 and #5 to be modified in such a way that the passage of fish is allowed? It happens many other places to allow for fish migration.

    HGarland asked about 1 month ago

    According to the Fisheries and Wildlife Information System (FWMIS), over the past five years, fish species surveyed in Bear Creek have included brook stickleback, lake chub, longnose sucker and white sucker. These species use creeks like Bear Creek as important migration routes, moving upstream each spring to spawn before returning to their downstream habitats. 

    In the downstream Wapiti River, surveys have identified migratory species such as walleye, the threatened bull trout, and arctic grayling—a species of special concern—all of which could utilize Bear Creek for upstream spawning. Historically, Bear Lake, which feeds into Bear Creek, has also supported populations of spottail shiner and yellow perch. All options presented for the Bear Creek dam can be modified to include infrastructure to assist fish passage.


  • Share If the option where the south embankment where people sled and do festivals are taken away, what space will be opened up for the festivals? Our city is already complaining that there isn't as many things to do in the summer. However, this is mainly due to no one wanting to plan these events. Why doesn't the city have an event coordinator for the street festival, heritage days, or other fun events that could draw people to our city? on Facebook Share If the option where the south embankment where people sled and do festivals are taken away, what space will be opened up for the festivals? Our city is already complaining that there isn't as many things to do in the summer. However, this is mainly due to no one wanting to plan these events. Why doesn't the city have an event coordinator for the street festival, heritage days, or other fun events that could draw people to our city? on Twitter Share If the option where the south embankment where people sled and do festivals are taken away, what space will be opened up for the festivals? Our city is already complaining that there isn't as many things to do in the summer. However, this is mainly due to no one wanting to plan these events. Why doesn't the city have an event coordinator for the street festival, heritage days, or other fun events that could draw people to our city? on Linkedin Email If the option where the south embankment where people sled and do festivals are taken away, what space will be opened up for the festivals? Our city is already complaining that there isn't as many things to do in the summer. However, this is mainly due to no one wanting to plan these events. Why doesn't the city have an event coordinator for the street festival, heritage days, or other fun events that could draw people to our city? link

    If the option where the south embankment where people sled and do festivals are taken away, what space will be opened up for the festivals? Our city is already complaining that there isn't as many things to do in the summer. However, this is mainly due to no one wanting to plan these events. Why doesn't the city have an event coordinator for the street festival, heritage days, or other fun events that could draw people to our city?

    CDaigle asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your question and for sharing your thoughts on community events and spaces. At this stage, no decisions have been made about removing the embankment. However, if any option involving changes to that area is pursued, the City will carefully consider how to accommodate seasonal activities and events that currently rely on the space.

    The City of Grande Prairie has an Events & Programming department responsible for managing events at Bonnetts Energy Centre and Montrose Cultural Centre, as well as supporting a variety of community event organizers in delivering their events. For more information, please see links below:

    Event Calendar | City of Grande Prairie

    Bonnetts Energy Centre | Bonnetts Energy Centre

Page last updated: 19 Jun 2025, 11:19 AM