Harris updates M.D. council on stormwater drainage

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During the M.D. of Taber Council meeting on January 28, 2025, Councillor Merrill Harris, Co-Chair of the Southern Regional Stormwater Drainage Committee, provided a regional update in open session that was also discussed during the closed session of the meeting.

Councillor Harris explained that the Southern Regional Stormwater Drainage Committee was first formed after numerous large storm events occurred within the region from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat. Since then, Councillor Harris stated, a drainage study was done by professional engineers, and seven projects were identified to help alleviate drainage issues across the region.

The first project to be taken on by the committee, Councillor Harris stated, was construction of Phase One of the three-phase Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project, which was started in December 2022 and December 2024. This project, Councillor Harris stated, was chosen first due to the fact that it provided the biggest benefit to the region as a whole.

Phase 3 of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project, Councillor Harris stated, was started in late October 2024 and will be completed before irrigation and water flows in Spring 2025 while Phase 2 of the Horsefly Emergency Spillway Project will be put out to tender when all of the engineering and land acquisition and funding is complete. 

“These seven projects are essential to help alleviate drainage problems across Southern Alberta,” said Councillor Harris. “The M.D. of Taber’s commitment to this project includes being the lead municipality on this project from the outset, which has been the last 12 years.”

As part of his commitment in leading the Drainage Committee as its Chair, Councillor Harris made a motion that the M.D. of Taber incorporate its funding commitment of $37,988 for Phase 3 of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project into the 2025 Capital Budget. The motion was carried.

“It is a very important project for our region to ensure that we have access and sustainable drinking water as well as stable food production methods,” said Tamara Miyanaga, Reeve for the M.D. of Taber.