Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

Version 1.4 Table of Contents ¤£1A ¤£1X Kananaskis Valley Access Executive summary 3 Project context 4 and Development ¤£68 Rationale for Redevelopment Plan 4 ¤£1 ¤£1 Nodes Description of planning area 4 Rationale for Redevelopment 4 Key Objectives of the Plan 4 Barrier Lake Guiding Documents 5 Land-Use Framework 5 Alberta’s Plan for Parks 5 ¤£40 Planning Area Active Alberta 5 Kananaskis Country Recreation Policy 5 Bow Valley Protected Areas Management Plan 5 Canoe Meadows 6 Current Situation 6 Analysis of Current Situation 6 Proposed Redevelopment 8 Kananaskis Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre 10 ¤£742 Village Current Situation 10 Analysis of Current Situation 10 Proposed Redevelopment 12 Widowmaker 14 Current Situation 14 Analysis of Current Situation 14 Proposed Redevelopment 16 Barrier Dam 18 Current Situation 18 Analysis of Current Situation 18 Proposed Redevelopment 20 Proposed Disc Golf Course 22 Summary 23 Source Documents 23

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Upper & Lower ± Kananaskis Lakes 2 01 2 4 6 8 10 Kilometers Alberta Park, Canmore: February 28, 2011. Fire Ref: KananaskisRiverPoster_20110228.mxd Executive summary Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan Executive summary Redevelopment Proposal As part of the commitment in Alberta’s Plan for Parks to expand recreational opportunities throughout the park system, a series of enhancements to Overview park facilities along the Lower Kananaskis River has been proposed. These enhancements would help meet increased recreational demand, improve public safety and site management efficiency, while minimizing impacts to environmental and archaeological features.

Located approximately 80 kilometres west of Calgary in Bow Valley Provincial Park, the Lower Kananaskis River area is a popular day-use destination, and is recognized for its river-based recreational opportunities. There are four facility nodes within this planning area—Canoe Meadows, Barrier Lake Visitor RIVER Information Centre, Widowmaker and Barrier Dam. The kayak slalom course at Canoe Meadows is considered to be the best training facility for the sport of kayaking in the province.

Key objectives of the Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan include: • reducing congestion at day use sites; • improving river access for recreational users; • increasing camping opportunities; and KANANASKIS • enhancing the Canoe Meadows site to accommodate special events, river recreation, and to act as a multi-function camping area.

The developments that are shown in this Redevelopment Plan are at the

‘concept stage.’ Specific details within the Plan may not be implemented HWY 40 LOWER exactly as shown in this document based on availability of funding and further studies. The Government of Alberta will explore the possibility of engaging private sector and/or non-governmental partners in the implementation of the development described in this Plan.

A draft version of this plan was reviewed by the public and stakeholders in March–April, 2011. Where possible, feedback from this consultation was incorporated into this plan.

This plan was approved on July 12, 2011, by the Kananaskis Country Inter- Departmental Consultative Committee.

BARRIER LAKE

3 0 100 250 500m Project context Rationale for Redevelopment Many of the recreational facilities in Kananaskis Country were planned and Rationale for Redevelopment Plan built in the 1970s and 1980s when the population of Alberta was much smaller, and Albertans engaged in different recreational activities on the landscape. The purpose of the Facility Redevelopment Plan for the Lower Kananaskis In recent years Alberta has grown to a population of over 3 million people, River is to provide a comprehensive vision for the area that aims to improve with over 1 million of those people living in close proximity to Kananaskis visitor experience through the expansion and modernization of recreational Country. The recreational facilities that were built over thirty years ago are facilities in an environmentally sensitive manner. Implementation of this Plan often at or over capacity, and are out-of-date. Once implemented, the new will also begin to address the need for more campsites in other parts of and redeveloped facilities described within this plan will begin to address the Kananaskis Country and Alberta. needs and expectations of Albertans today. Description of planning area Key Objectives of the Plan

The planning area is located within Bow Valley Provincial Park, and is The Redevelopment Plan has key objectives that align with the strategies approximately 80 kilometres from Calgary. It is a popular day-use and outlined in the Plan for Parks. The four strategies in the Plan for Parks are: overnight group-camping destination, and is recognized for its river-based • Involve Albertans recreational opportunities. The popularity of the river for recreation is largely • Offer Modern Facilities, Policies and Programs due to the regulation of the flow of the Lower Kananaskis River. The dam at • Provide Recreation Opportunities Barrier Lake and the natural and man-made river features result in a consistent • Conserve Landscapes flow-rate that river users can count on to plan their trips and activities. There is a growing diversity of river users on the Lower Kananaskis River, which now The key objectives for the Redevelopment Plan are grouped according to the includes kayakers, canoeists and surfers, as well companies offering rafting above strategies from the Plan for Parks are: and a variety of river recreational activities. The paddling opportunities in the planning area have been described as ‘provincially significant’. Involve Albertans • Engage Albertans in determining the future of the Lower Kananaskis River area The Lower Kananaskis River from Barrier Lake downstream to Seebe is a • Partner with the private sector and/or non-governmental organizations in recreational corridor. The area for this redevelopment proposal includes that the implementation of the Proposal part of the recreational corridor that is under the planning authority of Alberta Parks. There are currently four facility nodes within this planning area – Canoe Meadows, Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre, Widowmaker and Barrier Conserve Landscapes Dam. There are also some trails within the planning area that connect the • Ensure proper balance of facility development, recreational access and facility nodes. conservation

The planning area is located within the Montane sub-region, which is Offer Modern Facilities, Policies and Programs characterized by open forests mixed with grasslands. The forests in the • Begin to address demand for enhanced recreational facilities throughout planning area are dominated by aspen stands on the terraces above the river, Kananaskis Country and by spruce forests on the slopes. There are some sites of ecological or • Redesign Canoe Meadows archaeological interest within the planning area, which will be a consideration • To better host special events in the redevelopment of the facilities in the area. • To enhance training and sport facilities • To provide a range of camping opportunities • Reduce traffic congestion at day use sites

Provide Recreation Opportunities • Improve river access • Increase camping opportunities throughout the planning area, particularly in 4 association with river recreation • Provide more inclusive facility options that reduce physical and cultural barriers wherever possible Guiding Documents developments proposed in the Lower Kananaskis River area will assist in Project context Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan meeting the objectives outlined in Active Alberta by increasing opportunities for Albertans to recreate outdoors, as well as redesigning Canoe Meadows to In addition to legislation, there are five policy documents that have guided the become a facility focused on the sport of kayaking. planning of facilities within the planning area.

KANANASKIS COUNTRY RECREATION POLICY LAND-USE FRAMEWORK

The Kananaskis Country Recreation Policy was approved in May 1999, and The Land-use Framework is a comprehensive approach to planning to better sets out the approach to sustainable recreation management in Kananaskis manage public and private lands and natural resources to achieve Alberta’s Country within the context of integrated resource and environmental long-term economic, environmental and social goals. management. It allows for the development of new small facilities within Kananaskis Country, as well as the upgrading and improvement of existing The framework provides a blueprint for land-use management and decision- facilities, so long as environmental effects are mitigated or acceptable. making that addresses the growth that has occurred in Alberta over the past several years. The Land-use Framework and the subsequent regional plans are BOW VALLEY PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT PLAN law and so all other plans and policies affecting land-use must be in conformity with the Land-use Framework. The Lower Kananaskis River planning area The Bow Valley Protected Areas Management Plan was approved in is within the land-use planning region known as the ‘South Saskatchewan’.’ September 2002. Development of this plan included public and stakeholder Although the regional plan for the South Saskatchewan is not yet complete, the consultation, prior to its approval. redevelopment plan for the Lower Kananaskis River is aligned with the current direction of planning initiatives related to the regional plan. The plan designates the Lower Kananaskis River area into both ‘facility’ and ‘natural environment’ zones. Facility zoning includes provisions for existing ALBERTA’S PLAN FOR PARKS day-use and overnight facilities, as well as expansion and upgrading of these facilities. Natural environment zoning includes provisions for existing facilities Alberta’s Plan for Parks is the foundational document for the Alberta Parks such as trails and day-use areas, but also upgrading and expansion of these program, and describes a vision for how the Government of Alberta will guide facilities. the activities of the program today and into the future:

Alberta’s parks inspire people to discover, value, protect and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for current and future generations.

Of particular interest to the Lower Kananaskis River Redevelopment Plan is the commitment in the Plan for Parks to upgrade and develop campgrounds and facilities to accommodate changing needs of visitors.

ACTIVE ALBERTA

This policy sets out a vision for recreation, active living and sport:

Albertans enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, strong communities, economic benefits and personal fulfillment, through recreation, active living and sport.

Active Alberta takes a collaborative approach to recreation, active living, and sport, involving various levels of government, non-profit organizations, associations and volunteers to generate better awareness and positive actions and encourage Albertans to lead healthier, more active lives. The 5 Canoe Meadows Current Situation

Canoe Meadows is a multi-use site that functions as both a training facility for the sport of kayaking, as well as a group-use camping area for the general public. Special events related to kayaking are also hosted at this site. 1. Gated slalom course The Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA) has a small facility on-site, and has 2. Staircase down to river constructed a permanent gate system for a kayaking slalom course on the 3. Parking area Lower Kananaskis River adjacent to Canoe Meadows. The facility has hosted 4. Group use area provincial and national white-water championships, as well as Pan American championships, with attendees coming from across Canada and other countries. Canoe Meadows is considered to be the provincial training facility for the sport of kayaking.

There is a gravel parking area that can accommodate approximately seventy vehicles with one vault toilet and garbage facilities. The group-use area is located within a large open meadow and is not well-defined as being a separate facility from the day-use area and kayaking facilities. It has a shelter and a group fire ring, and can accommodate groups of varying sizes. As the group-use area is not well separated from the other uses, there is a history of visitor conflict between non-paddling groups using the group-use area and recreationalists who walk through the group-use area to access the river. There are trails that link the site to the Lower Kananaskis River and kayak slalom course. 1 2

Canoe Meadows is roughly triangle-shaped, and is bounded by the Lower Kananaskis River on two sides and Highway 40 on the third side. The entire area is mostly flat and dry. Analysis of Current Situation

• Canoe Meadows is not well designed to achieve the multiple activities that occur at the site. Designation and separation of the multiple activities is required. • The parking area is not large enough, or formalized. If made larger and formalized, traffic flow would be improved and visitors could make better use of the space. • The group-use camping area is under used, and could be redesigned to accommodate the demand for camping by groups of a variety of sizes - from individual campers to large groups. Access routes from the parking area to the slalom course could be formalized to eliminate day-users from walking through camping areas.

6 3 4 Canoe Meadows Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan Canoe Meadows Existing Facilities

RIVER

KANANASKIS

SHELTER TOILET

TRAIL PARKING LOT KAYAK COURSE GROUP FIRE RING EVENT AREA GROUP CAMPING AREA

HWY 40 LOWER

TRAIL

7 0 20 40 60 80m Proposed Redevelopment

The proposed redevelopment for this area would designate and separate the multiple activities. It would delineate areas and movement patterns for each of sport training, camping, and river day use visitors.

An area designated for sport training would include a two-level Training and Meeting Centre and twenty-four parking stalls. Approximately 2400sqf in size, the Training and Meeting Centre would provide year round meeting facilities, warm-up and change rooms, boat storage and a view of the kayak course.

The existing parking area would be expanded and formalized and would include 44 regular parking stalls, 21 large unit angle parking stalls, 34 1 2 truck & trailer angle pull-through parking stalls, and 4 drop-off zones. The redevelopment plan has provisions for a shower and change facility and vault toilets, located throughout the camping areas. A pedestrian-friendly paved sidewalk system with marked crosswalks around the perimeter and through the centre of the parking lot would increase safety for users carrying watercraft. A bike cage has also been included to assist in shuttling watercraft from put-in to take-out. A pathway connecting the parking lot to the Lower Kananaskis River below the slalom course would be constructed to barrier-free standards to allow for river access downstream from the majority of obstacles.

The camping area would be moved and redesigned. Twelve back-in campsites would be built with a common central area with a shelter, fire rings and picnic tables. This would allow for the camp-sites to be booked as individual campsites or a large group of twelve campsites. Nineteen walk-in tenting sites with three common areas with fire rings and a shelter could also be booked individually or for groups. Larger groups could be accommodated on the nearby meadow during special events. A new picnic shelter with an upgraded group fire ring would replace the existing facilities in the meadow area.

A roadway, and adjacent pathway, connecting the Training and Meeting Centre to the main parking lot would formalize vehicle and foot traffic from the parking lot to the put-in location above the slalom course. The roadway would be 3 gated to ensure that only authorized vehicles travelling to the Training and Meeting Centre had access to the roadway. 1. Example of a modern group use area The proposed redevelopments for Canoe Meadows will be a first priority for picnic shelter implementation. 2. Example of barrier-free access to river 3. Nearby meadow adjacent to group use area

8 Canoe Meadows Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

EVENT FIELD TRAILS - STAGING AREA FOR EVENTS - REALIGN EXISTING TRAILS AS REQUIRED LOWER STAGING AREA - NEW PICNIC SHELTER & GROUP FIRE RINGS - DEVELOP NEW FACILITY ZONE TRAIL SYSTEM - BARRIER FREE RAMP TO RIVERS EDGE - OVER-FLOW PAKING AREA - ALL TRAILS TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO - WATER CRAFT STAGING BELOW KYAK COURSE APPLICABLE CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS - NO VEHICLE ACCESS - TERRACE TRAILS UPGRADED WITH NEW TIMBER GUARD RAILING, VIEWING PLATFORMS, & WALKING SURFACES

RIVER

SHOWER

BUILDING

KANANASKIS CINCIP WEN RETLEHS LOWER

HWY 40 TRAINING & MEETING CENTRE EXISTINGTRAIL - PERMANENT YEAR ROUND FACILITY HWY 40 ACCESS UPGRADES - LOWER GARAGE LEVEL - NEW NORTH BOUND LEFT TURN & BYPASS LANE - UPPER MEETING & VIEW POINT AREA - INCREASED LENGTH & WIDTH OF ACCEL. - SECURE WATERCRAFT STORAGE & DECEL. LANES - 24 PARKING STALLS

TENT SITES

EXPANDED PARKING AREA - FORMALIZED WITH ASPHALT SURFACE, RAISED CURBS & PAINTED LINES - 44 REGULAR PARKING STALLS - 4 PULL THROUGH DROP OFF ZONES - 34 ANGLE PULL-THROUGH TRUCK & TRAILER STALLS - 21 ANGLE PULL-UP LARGE UNIT STALLS - WELL MARKED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS - NEW SHOWER BUILDING & CHANGE FACILITY

TENT SITES

EXISTING

TRAIL

CAMPGROUND - 12 REGULAR BACK-IN CAMPSITES WITH COMMON CENTRAL AREA WITH SHELTER FIRE RING & PICNIC TABLES CENTRAL AREA WITH SHELTER, FIRE RING & PICNIC TABLES - 19 TENT CAMPSITES WITH 3 COMMON AREAS WITH FIRE RING & SHELTER CONTOUR INTERVAL 1m 9 0 20 40 60 80m Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre Current Situation

The Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre and its associated day-use area is the first major facility in Kananaskis Country for visitors heading south on Highway 40 from the Trans Canada Highway. The Visitor Information Centre has upwards of 85,000 visitors each year, and the parking lot is a popular location for carpoolers to gather before heading farther down Highway 40. 1 2 Parks staff in the Visitor Information Centre are often the first point of contact for many visitors to Kananaskis Country. The day-use area includes a small parking lot with some pull-through parking, seven picnic sites behind the Centre, a two bay dump station, one vault toilet and garbage facilities.

Within the vicinity of the Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre are a series of terraces that are typical to the Lower Kananaskis River area. To the northeast of the Centre is a relatively flat, but poorly drained area. To the southwest is another flat area, which is better drained. Easy access to the river occurs via a trail from the day-use area to the river. Analysis of Current Situation

• Although the parking lot can be busy at times, overall, the area is under- utilized. • The picnic area is hidden by trees from both Highway 40 and the Visitor Information Centre. It is not used very often, except by those who want to remain out of sight. • As the site includes a waste transfer station, Visitor Information Centre and is otherwise under-developed, the inclusion of a campground on the nearby terraces would complement existing facilities. 3 4

1. Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre 2. Two bay waste transfer station 3. Information centre parking lot 4. Hidden picnic area

10 Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

RIVER Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre Existing Facilities

TRAIL

KANANASKIS

LOWER TRAIL

TRAIL

PICNIC SITES

TOILET PARKING

VISITOR CENTRE

HWY 40

STATION

WASTE TRANSFER

11 0 20 40 60 80m Proposed Redevelopment

The proposed redevelopment for this area is to construct a new campground and re-organize the day-use area. The parking and traffic flow in the day-use area would be improved via improved sight lines and one-way roads.

Two campground loops to the northeast and southwest would be constructed that are separate from the day-use area. In total, seventy-nine campsites would be developed—sixty-five back-in and fourteen pull-through sites. As these sites are close to the river, they may appeal to river-users, but would also appeal to the general public. The dump station would be upgraded to four bays to handle the anticipated increased demand from the new campsites. A shower building would be constructed in a location that is central to both 1 the campground and the day-use area. Trails would be formalized from the camping area to the Lower Kananaskis River. 1. Example of a modern RV unit The parking around the Visitor Information Centre would be expanded to thirty- 2. Example of pull-through campsite to two regular parking stalls, eleven large unit angle parking stalls and 3 large unit accommodate modern RV units pull-up parking stalls. A new day use parking area would be constructed that 3. Example of modern shower building would have ninety-five parking stalls along with a new change facility. Where 2 appropriate, lockers would be installed to accommodate the needs of campers who arrive at the campground on foot or on bike.

Further study is needed to determine if the current Visitor Information Centre is sufficient to meet the needs of staff and visitors into the future. A further assessment of the future of the Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre within the vision of the overall Kananaskis Region should be completed, and should include direction on the types of information, education and commercial services necessary to meet the needs of Albertans and the travelling public.

12 Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan NORTH CAMPGROUND - ONE WAY TRAFFIC - 21 BACK-IN SITES - 7 PULL THROUGH SITES EXISTING TRAIL

1 WAY

RIVER

1 WAY

EXISTINGTRAIL

KANANASKIS

1 WAY

DAY USE PARKING

EXIT

TRAILS ENTRANCE - REALIGN EXISTING TRAILS AS REQUIRED

- DEVELOP NEW FACILITY ZONE TRAIL SYSTEM 2 WAY - ALL TRAILS TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO APPLICABLE CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE & DAY USE - 32 STALL VISITOR CENTRE PARKING LOT

2 WAY - 95 STALL DAY USE PARKING LOT PARKING LOWER VISITOR CENTRE - FACILITY ZONE SURFACES TO BE FORMALIZED WITH ASPHALT, RAISED CURB & PAINTED LINES - 4 BAY WASTE TRANSFER STATION SHOWER VISITOR - 11 ANGLE PULL-UP LARGE UNIT STALLS BUILDING CENTRE - 3 PULL-UP LARGE UNIT STALLS - SHOWER BUILDING

1 WAY

2 WAY STATION WASTE TRANSFER

TRAIL EXISTING

HWY 40

PULL-UP PARKING ANGLE PARKING

1 WAY ENTRANCE

1 WAY

SOUTH CAMPGROUND - ONE WAY TRAFFIC - 44 BACK-IN SITES - 7 PULL THROUGH SITES CONTOUR INTERVAL 1m 0 20 40 60 80 100m 13 Widowmaker Current Situation

Widowmaker day-use area is the main put-in location for paddlers and commercial rafters to access the Lower Kananaskis River. It consists of a small gravel parking lot with one vault toilet, garbage facilities and a semi-formalized staircase to access the river. This area can become congested in high-use periods, leading to conflict among user groups.

Within the vicinity of the current day-use area, the geography of the land has potential for future development as there are a series of flat, dry terraces. 1 2 Recent archaeological studies indicate that there is low potential for items of archaeological significance to be found in the area, but further environmental studies are needed to determine the significance of the area as wildlife habitat 1. Widowmaker water feature and movement corridor. 2. Widowmaker water feature 3. Staircase leading to water feature Analysis of Current Situation 4. Parking area 5. Congestion at put-in location • Traffic flow needs to be addressed, and parking capacity needs to be increased as area gets congested • The existing put-in location is not ideal for rafting companies as it is too small • The staircase that is used to access the put-in needs to be redeveloped, and in a manner that reduces barriers to access 3 • There is potential within the vicinity of the site to construct a new campground which would begin to address demand for increased and modernized camping opportunities in Kananaskis Country

4 5

14 Widowmaker Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

LIART Widowmaker Existing Facilities

RIVER

TRAIL KANANASKIS

PARKING LOT TOILET

LOWER

HWY 40

TRAIL

15 0 20 40 60 80m Proposed Redevelopment

The proposed redevelopment for this site seeks to provide increased camping opportunities through a new campground development as well as improved river access for river-users, commercial rafting companies and their clients.

To address traffic flow and parking issues, the existing parking area would be expanded and formalized to sixty angle stalls for large unit parking. A change building and secure bike storage area would be built to facilitate river day user and shuttling watercraft from put-in to take-out.

A new commercial rafting staging area would be constructed that is separate from the public access put-in. This should alleviate congestion at the main put-in location. The commercial rafting staging area will include a client drop- off area for rafting companies, ten truck & trailer angle pull-through parking stalls, vault toilet and a change building. A structure would be built which provides formalized and barrier-free access from the staging area to the put-in location on the river. This put-in location is a side-channel on the main river and as such, the slower speed of the river here will allow the space and time for rafting companies to prepare their clients for the trip down the river.

A new campground development is proposed on the series of benches above the Lower Kananaskis River. Built as designed, it would consist of 109 campsites – eighty-seven back-in sites and twenty-two pull-through sites. Three group-use areas, each with a vault toilet and picnic shelter, would also be built that collectively can hold another twenty-five units. These group- use areas may be able to be booked for over-night or day-use purposes. All 1 campsites and group-use areas will be built large enough to accommodate modern recreational vehicles. An administration area is also proposed, and would include a combination ‘staff office/check-in’ building, small parking lot of fourteen regular parking stalls, a shower building and washrooms. Where appropriate, lockers would be installed to accommodate the needs of campers who arrive at the campground on foot or on bike.

The development of the commercial rafting staging area and the large group- use area near the existing parking area are priorities for implementation.

1. Location of commercial staging area on side channel 2. Example of a modern vault toilet

16 2 Widowmaker Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

EXISTING PARKING LOT - EXPAND TO 60 ANGLE STALLS FOR LARGE UNIT PARKING COMMERCIAL RAFTING SITE - FORMALIZE WITH ASPHALT SURFACE - ANGLE PARKING FOR 10 TRUCK & RAISED CURBS & PAINTED LINES TRAILER UNITS OR BUSES - NEW CHANGE BUILDING & SECURE - VAULT TOILET & SHELTER BLDG BIKE STORAGE AREA - BARRIER FREE FACILITY FOR ACCESSING RIVER SIDE CHANNEL RIVER STAGING AREA

KANANASKIS GROUP USE EXISTING TRAIL SITE

GROUP USE

SITE

1 WAY

LOWER CAMPGROUND - 42 BACK-IN SITES

1 WAY - GROUP USE SITE BUILDING

HWY 40 1 WAY ADMINISTRATION BLDG - SHOWER BUILDING 1 WAY

- 14 PARKING STALLS LOWER

1 WAY

EXISTING

TRAIL 1 WAY UPPER CAMPGROUND 1 WAY - GROUP USE SITE - 22 PULL-THROUGH SITES - 45 BACK-IN SITES

1 WAY

1 WAY 1 WAY

SITE GROUP USE

1 WAY

CONTOUR INTERVAL 1m

0 20 40 60 80 100m 17 Barrier Dam Current Situation

Barrier Dam is a popular day-use area for picnickers, recreationalists and others accessing Barrier Lake, and hikers and bikers using the location as a staging area for trails in the vicinity. The formalized parking area has one vault toilet and ten parking stalls, but the paved loop road has wide enough shoulders that parking often occurs throughout the day-use area. On a busy day, upwards of fifty vehicles may be parked within the area.

The Barrier Dam is a working dam that regulates water flows and provides electricity to the grid. Existing facilities are situated beside the dam. Active sewage lagoons used by Alberta Parks are also within the vicinity, but are not publically accessible. Analysis of Current Situation

• Traffic flow needs to be addressed and parking capacity needs to be increased • The popularity of picnicking warrants additional picnic sites 1. Barrier Lake • Access to Barrier Lake is informal and needs to be formalized 2. Barrier Dam structure • Areas within the site need to be designated for a specific purpose (lake 3. Parking area access, trail access and picknicking) to minimize parking congestion at pinch-point areas 1

18 2 3 Barrier Dam Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan Barrier Dam Existing Facilities

RIVER

KANANASKIS

LOWER

TRAIL

PARKING TOILET

PICNIC AREA

PARKING PICNIC AREA BARRIER LAKE

HWY 40

19 0 20 40 60 80m Proposed Redevelopment

The proposed redevelopment for Barrier Dam seeks to address parking and traffic congestion issues by formalizing areas and separating uses, while retaining the site’s overall function as a day-use area. To do this a new hand- launch area, and associated turn-around area, would be developed with a floating dock to allow better access to the lake. In addition, a new trail-head staging area would be established to provide access for hikers and bikers to trails in the vicinity. A four-season trail network would be constructed to better link the Barrier Dam day-use area to other sites in the Lower Kananaskis River area.

The parking area would be expanded and formalized, and would contain ninety-four regular parking stalls, and five bus bays. Four truck & trailer angle pull-through parking stalls would be included in a separate area as a staging area for commercial rafting companies. Roadway and site access upgrades are also necessary, and would include widening the main road, adding a guardrail along the lake, and constructing acceleration and deceleration lanes on Highway 40.

Additional picnic tables and vault toilets would be added to the day-use area, along with three paddle-in picnic sites that would also be accessible to the general public via a trail along the shoreline.

The proposed redevelopments for Barrier Dam are a priority for implementation.

1. Example of a floating dock 2. Example of a picnic area

20 Barrier Dam Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

TRAIL STAGING AREA PARKING - 94 REGULAR STALLS - 5 PULL UP BUS BAYS - 4 ANGLE PARKING STALLS

2 WAY

HWY 40 ACCESS UPGRADES - NEW NB LEFT TURN & BYPASS LANE - INCREASED LENGTH & WIDTH OF ACCEL. & DECEL. LANES

BARRIER LAKE DAY USE FACILITIES - 15 NEW PICNIC SITES - TURN AROUND & DROP OFF AREA - HAND LAUNCH WITH FLOATING DOCK - VAULT TOILETS & PICNIC SHELTER - PADDLE-IN PICNIC SITES - TRAIL INFORMATION & STAGING AREA

HWY 40

CONTOUR INTERVAL 1m

0 20 40 60 80m

21 Proposed Disc Golf

Course RIVER

The proposed redevelopment for the area between the Barrier Dam and Widowmaker facility nodes is to provide an 18-hole disc golf course, which would be integrated with a future four-season trail network. This proposed disc golf course would provide an affordable, accessible recreation opportunity for campers and day users of all ages and abilities, and supports the objectives of 15 both the Active Alberta Strategy and the Plan for Parks.

KANANASKIS Disc golf is similar to traditional golf, except that players throw flying discs 14 13 16 at an above-ground basket instead of a hole in the ground. The object of the game is to throw the disc into the basket in the fewest number of throws.

Once the trail system has been developed, staff will monitor use patterns 17 12 on the trail network. Disc golf fairways would be integrated into the trail 11 network, built to be low-impact with minimal additional disturbance. Very 10 little permanent infrastructure would be required, and the tree stand and LOWER topographical features require little, if any modification.

Final alignment of each disc golf hole and trail alignment would be determined 9 through a separate planning exercise, which will include detailed design and 18 further environmental studies.

1 2 7

3 4

CONTOUR INTERVAL 1m

0 20 40 60 80m 5 HWY 40

BARRIER LAKE

*POSSIBLE LAYOUT

22 *DISC GOLF COURSE LAYOUT REQUIRED TO ALIGN WITH A FUTURE FOUR-SEASON MULTI PURPOSE TRAIL SYSTEM Summary Source Documents Source Documents Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Plan

Redevelopment of the Lower Kananaskis River area will begin to address the Government of Alberta, 1999. Kananaskis Country Recreation Policy. demand for camping and other recreational activities throughout Kananaskis Canmore, AB. Country, improve river access, and re-imagine Canoe Meadows as a site focused on training and sport. Wherever possible, universal design principles Government of Alberta, 2002. Bow Valley Protected Areas Management Plan. will be incorporated to make the area more ‘barrier free’. Guiding plans and Canmore, AB. policies have determined that the Lower Kananaskis River is an important recreational corridor, but all facility development will recognize the importance Government of Alberta, 2008. Land-use Framework. Edmonton, AB. of conserving environmentally and archaeologically significant sites contained within the planning area. Government of Alberta, 2009. Alberta’s Plan for Parks. Edmonton, AB.

Implementing the entire Approved Redevelopment Plan will take time and Government of Alberta, 2011. Active Alberta Policy. Edmonton, AB. resources, however key considerations will be the availability of funding and the ability to partner with both the private and non-government sectors in the Praxis Group, 2009. Recreational Vehicle Camping in Alberta: A Demand development and operation of facilities. The first priorities for construction will and Supply Side Perspective. Prepared on behalf of Government of Alberta, be the redevelopment at the Canoe Meadows and Barrier Lake nodes, along Edmonton, AB. with the commercial rafting staging area and group-use area at Widowmaker. After potential impacts from the initial construction of the priority nodes have Rae, K. 2007. Management of River Recreation Resource: Understanding been evaluated, the remaining parts of the proposal may be phased in over the Inputs to Management of Outdoor Recreational Resources. University of several years as required. Waterloo, Waterloo, ON.

Squires, M. 2001. Recreational use of the Lower Kananaskis River: An Investigation of Patterns of Use, Experiences and Opinions for Management. Prepared for Government of Alberta, Canmore, AB.