Coaldale, County in line for $3.7 M stormwater upgrade

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Sunny South News

Al Beeber
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Alberta government is investing $3.73 million to reduce the risk of flooding in Coaldale and Lethbridge County.

The province announced on June 3 that groundbreaking has begun on a project that includes construction of new stormwater ponds and a South Coaldale regional stormwater management facility to increase stormwater capacity and help to combat overland flooding.

The province says that for more than 30 years Coaldale and the County, which are situated in the Malloy Drainage Basin, have experienced destructive floods that can damage public infrastructure as well as homes and businesses.

The Town and County have been working with St. Mary River Irrigation District to mitigate flooding dangers.

“For decades, Coaldale has been vulnerable to flooding events that have impacted homes, businesses and essential infrastructure. This new stormwater management facility is a long overdue and much needed investment in public safety and community resilience. We’re proud to be working alongside our regional partners to deliver a solution that not only protects our residents today, but also positionsCoaldale for sustainable growth into the future,” said Coaldale mayor Jack Van Rijn in a statement.

Associate Minister of Water Grant Hunter, who is also MLA for Taber-Warner, noted the project “is a great example of working together to build a more resilient future for the region.”

The new management facility will help to mitigate runoff from a rural catchment area of 3,662 hectares in size. It will include 100,000 cubic metres of stormwater storage. Total cost of the project is estimated at $5.3 million with construction expected to be finished by fall of 2026.

“We see significant value in this project. This facility is an investment in our communities to keep residents safe and protect the agricultural land that is so critical to the success of our region. By working in partnership with Coaldale and SMRID, we can ensure a lasting and long-term benefit for generations. Regional collaboration is essential to leveraging our collective resources and achieving outcomes that benefit the entire area,” said County Reeve Tory Campbell in the government statement.