TransAlta Cascade Spillway Gate Rehabilitation

The existing Cascade spillway gates located at Lake Minnewanka, consisting of three bays of stoplogs and a stoplog lifter, have reached their end of service life and pose a dam safety risk due to reliability concerns. The project involves the removal of the current stoplogs and log lifter and replacement with three new vertical lift gates, a steel truss superstructure, and access ladders, guardrails and emergency lighting. All work will be completed in dry conditions. A flatbed truck, crane and scissor lift will be used to remove the old gates and support installation of the new gates and associated structure. A fenced enclosure is proposed adjacent to the worksite for construction parking and equipment laydown. Roadway closures and lane restrictions will be in place during certain stages of construction due to limited work space at the gate crossing.


Latest update

September 15, 2026 – Parks Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Parks Canada is inviting public comments until October 15, 2026 respecting that determination.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada – Public comments invited from September 15, 2026 to October 15, 2026 - September 15, 2026

Contacts

Banff National Park
Box 900
Banff, Alberta T1L 1K2
Email: helen.irwin@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Banff National Park of Canada (Alberta)
  • Nature of activity

    • Hydroelectric Energy
  • Assessment status

    In progress
  • Start date

    2026-09-15
  • Proponent

    TransAlta
  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency
  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference number

    90772

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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