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Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency is pouring $15 million into water infrastructure projects around the Raffery Dam, just west of Estevan.
Of that amount, more than $10 million went to repairing the underdrainage system on the Rafferty Dam Spillway in order to maintain and improve the functionality and safety of the spillway during high-flow events, the agency explained in a statement.
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“The spillway improvements include repairing and installing new drainage piping and constructing a new drainage pumping station. Work on the diversion channel includes upgrading the control structure and armouring parts of the channel with rock to manage erosion control and the flow of water in the channel.”
The provincial government also invested more than $2.5 million to upgrade the control structure at the Boundary to Rafferty Diversion Channel.
“Another $2.5 million was provided to the Rural Municipality of Estevan to improve the 11-kilometre stretch of Rafferty Road located between Highway 39 and Highway 18. The road project was completed earlier this summer and narrowed to the standard size of a grid road and applied a road stabilization and treatment product, which will reduce long-term maintenance costs,” the agency said.
Daryl Harrison, the minister responsible for Water Security Agency, said improving the Rafferty Dam is a priority for the provincial government.
“Rafferty Dam is an important piece of infrastructure, serving and protecting various communities and industries in southeastern Saskatchewan,” Harrison said in a statement.
“It is important for our government to be proactive and make these necessary investments to ensure the long-term safety and water supply security for everyone in the region.”
Estevan Mayor Anthony Sernick expressed the city’s appreciation for the Water Security Agency’s decision to prioritize the projects.
“This is a strong commitment to the citizens and business community of Estevan and surrounding region, ensuring we will have a sustainable water supply and strong water management system for years to come,” he said.
“WSA has been a valued partner in helping us complete this road repair project,” added Jason LeBlanc, reeve of the RM of Estevan.
“Rafferty Dam is a vital piece of infrastructure that our RM and residents have greatly benefited from since it was constructed more than 30 years ago. We are pleased to do our part to improve this important access road to the dam.”
The projects were identified as part of Water Security Agency’s 10-Year Infrastructure Rehabilitation Plan, with a goal to advance priority maintenance projects throughout the province.
The Rafferty Reservoir, which was formed and was constructed on the Souris River in 1994, provides water to the City of Estevan and the Shand Power Station, and flood protection for residents downstream in southeast Saskatchewan and North Dakota.
The agency said it is investing “approximately $38 million in 2025-26 to advance more than 60 key water infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan.
WSA manages the province’s water supply and owns and operates more than 70 dams and related water supply channels and reservoirs, with the objective of maximizing benefits to Saskatchewan residents.”
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