After reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding for the Beaverpond Project Rebuild, located along Michichi Creek approximately ten kilometres east of Morrin, Starland County has decided to go ahead with taking over the license for the structure. Included with the license are six small dam and weir structures along the Michichi Creek system.
The Beaverpond Project was built in 1981, by Ducks Unlimited. It is a dam structure, with an overflow built into it, which is made up of culvert. Over the years the culvert overflow structure has rusted away, and the entire project was at the point of major repairs in order to sustain the dam.
“Ducks Unlimited did an assessment of the dam from the basis of wildlife habitat and determined from that perspective, although there’s lots of wildlife there, it wasn’t significant enough to warrant the rebuilding of the dam itself,” said Ross Rawlusyk Chief Administrative Officer of Starland County.
The reasoning behind Starland wanting to take over the license for the structures, is that the dam system provides cattle watering for farmer’s along the Michichi Creek System.
“We came to an agreement that Starland County would take over the license for the dam structure. Ducks Unlimited will cover the costs of the engineering and designs for the repairs, and Starland County, because we have the manpower and equipment, will carry out the repairs,” said CAO Rawlusyk.
Construction will hopefully begin in October, when there is a lesser chance for a sudden downpour to hit said CAO Rawlusyk.
“Not every year is the county as wet as it was this year and certainly there are times when water is a high priority. Anytime we can have some storage, it can be a good thing,” said Rawlusyk.
Starland County is aiming to have repairs done to the dam structure by spring of 2013.
