Bear Creek Dam

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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

Please note, cost estimates for each option will be available in early June.

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

Site Tours

Residents are invited to join guided site tours to learn about the five proposed options for the long-term future of the Bear Creek Dam.

See the dam up close, ask questions and share your feedback to help shape the future of this important community asset. Tours are approximately 30 minutes long and start every 30 minutes during the times listed below:

  • Date: June 19, 2025
  • Times: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Location: Bear Creek Dam in Muskoseepi Park.

Please meet us on the Reservoir walking trails just south of 104 St and 107 Ave. Parking is available along the street. Click here to view a map of the meeting point.


Online Survey

An online survey will be available early June that includes cost estimates for each option. Please stay tuned to provide your feedback!

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

Please note, cost estimates for each option will be available in early June.

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

Site Tours

Residents are invited to join guided site tours to learn about the five proposed options for the long-term future of the Bear Creek Dam.

See the dam up close, ask questions and share your feedback to help shape the future of this important community asset. Tours are approximately 30 minutes long and start every 30 minutes during the times listed below:

  • Date: June 19, 2025
  • Times: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Location: Bear Creek Dam in Muskoseepi Park.

Please meet us on the Reservoir walking trails just south of 104 St and 107 Ave. Parking is available along the street. Click here to view a map of the meeting point.


Online Survey

An online survey will be available early June that includes cost estimates for each option. Please stay tuned to provide your feedback!

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 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 21 days 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 21 days 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 21 days 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 21 days 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: 22 May 2025, 08:50 AM