How would the construction of a bridge over the west end of the Glenmore Reservoir affect the environment?

This question has been addressed many times in the past by consultants retained by the City of Calgary. The following answer was given in 1977 in the CALTS Report.

Note - Route A in this document refers to bridging the west end of the Glenmore Reservoir on the 37th-to-37th Street route.

To see the CALTS Report map, please click here.

SARCEE TRAIL SOUTH
THE CITY OF CALGARY

ROUTE LOCATION STUDY
CALTS SERIES NUMBER 47
MAY 1977

Prepared by
Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd.

[Excerpt -- pages 30 & 31]

The most controversial section of the entire route involves the crossing of Glenmore Park. While Route A was considered marginally better than alternatives which directly bisected the Weaselhead, the potential for disruption of the hydrology, biology and human use of the area is high.

A major consideration for Route A involves the preservation of the hydrologic environment at the outlet of the Elbow River into Glenmore Reservoir. The existing delta supports a great variety of wildlife and forms a focal point for wildlife observation and aesthetic enjoyment. A road crossing at this point could cause major changes in flow and sedimentation patterns and consequent disruption of the delta. The importance of these hydrologic factors indicates that model testing would be of great benefit in determining design criteria for the crossing.

As noted above, the inherent biological value of the delta is high, not only in terms of an urban park, but in a regional context as well. The transitional nature of the delta formation together with the seasonal variation in water levels of the reservoir provide a variety of habitats unduplicated in the vicinity of Calgary. Besides supporting an abundance of resident wildlife, the area seasonally supports large numbers of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. The significance of the delta as a staging area will increase as sloughs and ponds in the vicinity are drained for agriculture and urban development. A road in this area will eliminate the more sensitive species and greatly detract from the total educational and aesthetic experience of observing wildlife in a natural environment. Additional concerns include disruption of unique vegetational communities such as the prairie grassland on the north bank and the mature spruce stand on the south. Disturbance of terrestrial wildlife in the Weaselhead beyond that occasioned by the intense human use of the area would probably be small.

Route A will also have a significant effect on human use of Glenmore Park. The west end of the park provides the opportunity for numerous recreational activities including hiking, riding, canoeing, nature observation and cross-country skiing. While the presence of the road will not necessarily prevent these activities, it will affect access. The main pattern of human movement within the park is from the more accessible and developed areas at the east end of the park, along the banks of the reservoir to the undeveloped west end of the park. Route A intersects these major paths of travel at 37th Street on both north and south banks of the reservoir.

Recreation in the Park cannot be isolated from the biological and aesthetic qualities of the area. Noise and visual intrusion will reduce the quality of recreational experiences which are rare in an urban area.

This same question was addressed 7 years later as part of the Glenmore Park Master Plan. Please click here to read it.