The article published on Page A31 of the June 16 Edition on the proposed irrigation expansion project utilizing water from Lake Diefenbaker begs some historical correction regarding formation of the lake.
The dream of a dam on the South Saskatchewan River originated in the 1850's with explorers Captain John Palliser and Professor Henry Yule Hind.
When the Federal Government established the PFRA as a result of the severe and protracted drought of the 1930's, a longer range view of drought proofing was adopted and in 1944 the Federal Minister of Agriculture the Honourable James G. Gardiner authorized PFRA to begin test drilling for a dam on the river.
A Federal / Provincial Agreement was struck in 1958 with the Federal government covering three quarters of the cost of the project. PFRA undertook the design for what is now the Gardiner and Qu'Appelle Dams despite the extremely difficult foundation conditions and many unique challenges. The engineering effort was exceptional and PFRA sought advice from world renowned geotechnical engineering specialists.
Construction of the South Saskatchewan River Project, that included both the Qu'Appelle and Gardiner Dams, officially began in the spring of 1959, and was also the responsibility of the PFRA. As your article pointed out the project was completed in 1967. The time frame for construction is a testimony to the complexity of the project, at the time one of the world's largest earth fill dams. Ownership of the reservoir and the impounding dams was transferred to the Province in 1969, with PFRA retaining certain responsibilities for maintaining project, before being turned over completely to the Province in 1992.
Phil Adkins, P. Eng.
Moose Jaw
References:
- The South Saskatchewan River Project - Booklet produced by PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) and Saskatchewan Environment (undated)
- South Saskatchewan River Project 1958 to 1967, produced by PFRA, 1973 CAT. No. RE 22-370
- Personal communication
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
