Alberta is home to some of the highest industrial and commercial users of water in Canada. Alberta industries which rely on an abundant supply of raw water include:
- Farming
- Petrochemical manufacturing
- Pulp and Paper Crop/Protein and Bio Processing
- Meat Processing
- Mining
The current allocations of water licences in Alberta are coming under stress across the province. Continued and future economic growth will depend on substantial and reliable sources of water.
We are situated in the Central Peace Region of northwestern Alberta along the southern banks of the Peace River, right at the center of The Montney Gas Formation. We are in the process of constructing a new raw water supply intake on the Peace River as well as approximately 36 km of new raw water pipeline. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.
Peace River Watershed - Facts
The Peace River Basin is part of the largest water basin area in Alberta spanning nearly 1/3 of the province
Peace River Basin Annual Discharge
Annual discharge of 68.2 billion cubic metres (55,300,000 acre⋅ft)
• average 2,110 m3/s (75,000 cu ft/s)
• minimum 344 m3/s (12,100 cu ft/s)
• maximum 9,790 m3/s (346,000 cu ft/s)
Pipelines
Saddle Hills County is connected with the North American pipeline network through TC Energy Corporation, and the Coastal Gaslink pipeline to the west coast will only enhance our connectivity.
The Region
The larger region, including Dawson Creek and Ft. St. John, BC, and Grande Prairie, and Fairview AB, represents a diverse economic environment which includes:
- manufacturing and warehousing
- transportation and logistics
- oil and gas
Central Peace Regional Water Project
In September of 2020, Saddle Hills County announced the Central Peace Regional Water Project (Phase 1 & 2) which includes the construction of a new raw water supply intake on the Peace River as well as approximately 36 km of new raw water pipeline. The $40 million project includes $16 million in funding from the federal government and $20 million from the provincial government with Saddle Hills County providing the balance.
Highlights & Features
Infrastructure
Saddle Hills County is connected by major road networks such as Highways 2 and 49 (AB) and Hwy 97 (BC) to the major ports and centers of Western Canada. Additionally, rail service by CN is close by in Dawson Creek, Rycroft, and Woking. We are a short distance from airports at Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John
Business Advantages
- No business tax or licensing fees
- Low provincial and local taxes
- Cost-competitiveness
Demographics
The larger region includes the cities of Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John as well as the municipalities of Fairview and the Central Peace Region. With a population of some 42,445 and a workforce of approximately 30,772, we are home to a thriving oil and gas industry and forest industry with access to national and international markets.
Our Community
In addition to our long history of working with the industry, Saddle Hills County is one of Canada's most important crop producing regions - especially when it comes peas and canola. Our diverse agricultural community produces crops which include: pulses, cereals, canola, legumes as well as bison, elk, goats and sheep.
See also:
Saddle Hills County – A Regional History
Census Profile, 2016 Census, Saddle Hills County
Townfolio Profile – Saddle Hills County
Saddle Hills County Annual Reports and Newsletters