Special Projects

Upcoming Municipal Projects

The following is meant for informational purposes, timelines and project completion are subject to change and are at the discretion of Council.

Water Level Study/Weir Design

  • Dixon Lake
  • Phase 1 - 2021 (Complete)
    • Phase 1 is the preparation of a concept design of a water outlet control structure to maintain an ideal water level in Dixon Lake, this involved determining the hydrology of the lake including catchment area, inflow and outflow.
    • The goal when the project began in late 2020 was to maintain the water level at its current level in hopes of improving the fish habitat (reduce winterkill) such that the lake would become eligible for fish stocking by the Ministry.
    • March 2021 Council approved a proposal from engineering firm, MPE Engineering to prepare a concept design including collection of required site survey data - $9,800.
    • June 2021 Water Security advised that Dixon Lake does not have established land-control for the 1:500 flood elevation and that MPE would need to determine a weir elevation and resulting 1:500 flood elevation, furthermore, the RM would need to obtain land-control (easements for the 1:500 flood elevation) to construct a weir
    • Oct 2022 MPE's Hydrology Report submitted to Water Security for review and comments
    • Apr 2023 MPE filed the Final Hydrology Report to Water Security for approval
    • Concept design of a Newbury Rock Riffle was completed by MPE Engineering at the location of the outlet of Sucker Lake
    • Weir elevation 493.1m and resulting 1:500 flood elevation 494.4m
    • Concept design approved by Water Security Agency 
    • Cost of phase 1 was funded by the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) 
    • Click here to view the Concept Design (April 2021)
    • Click here to view the Hydrology Report (April 2023)
  • Phase 2 - 2022-2025 (Pending) 
    • Phase 2 is the engineered detail design phase of the Newbury Rock Riffle weir in its confirmed location for application to Construct to be submitted to Water Security.
    • Oct 2022 Council reviewed a proposal from MPE Engineering to prepare the detailed design including another site survey but only approved the cost of the site survey to be conducted Fall 2022 - $2,200.
    • May 2024 Council approved the commencement of land-control (flood easements to be signed by landowners along Dixon Lake impacted by the 1:500 flood elevation of 494.4m).
    • Sep 2024 MPE Engineering attended with Reeve Hunter, Administrator Beaulieu and Dixon Lake resident, Dale Markling to stake the proposed weir elevation and 1:500 flood elevations on some of the lands to gain a visual marker of where the water level of the lake will be with the weir, as well as where the 1:500 flood elevation is in relation to that (that is, where the temporary rise in the water level will be during a 1 and 500 year flood event, before receding over the top of the weir and out the Carrot River).  MPE also determined the current water level of Dixon Lake to be 494.2m.
    • Sep 2024 Council approved the cost proposal from MPE to conduct the detailed engineering design ($14,000) and approved the Weir location to be on the outlet of Sucker Lake.  Delegates from Dixon Lake attending the meeting spoke to concerns over the proposed Weir elevation 493.1m being lower than desired.  MPE to investigate a maximum Weir elevation under current constraints (flood elevation, safe building elevation, adjacent landowner impacts etc).  Dixon Lake delegates suggested a Weir elevation that was 18"-24" below current level.
    • Oct 2024 Council approved a Coffer Dam to be installed in the outlet of Dixon Lake which will temporarily retain an ideal lake level in Dixon Lake - note the level will continue to be approximately 18" - 24" below the Sep 4, 2024 level (494.2m elevation).   The Coffer Dam is permitted to remain in place until October 2025.  Regarding the maximum Weir elevation permitted, it has been confirmed that a Weir elevation greater than 493.1m will require additional flood easements as more lands will be impacted.  The higher elevation will also require another Hydrology Study & Concept Design to be done to determine associated flood elevation.  Council asked MPE Engineering to submit a proposal for the Nov meeting for the Hydrology Study & Concept Design to be completed on a new Weir Election of between 493.6m - 493.74m.

    • Next Steps:
      • MPE awaits finalized Weir elevation prior to starting the engineered detailed design
      • Oct 15 2024 RM begins Coffer Dam install and removal of existing beaver dam under the Eagle Bay Bridge
      • Nov 6 2024 meeting to review/approve MPE's cost proposal for another Hydrology Study & Concept Design on higher Weir elevation.  Council to approve a finalized Weir elevation.
      • MPE begins Hydrology Study & Concept Design
      • MPE complete Hydrology Study & Concept Design and submits to Water Security for approval
      • RM begins securing flood easements for the 1:500 flood elevation
      • MPE beings engineering design following Water Security approval on Concept Design (barring no issues in the review process)
      • MPE completes the engineered detailed design which includes construction cost estimate
      • RM obtains remaining flood easements
      • RM submits the engineered detailed design along with flood easements to Water Security with the Application for Water Rights License and Approval to Construct and Operate Works (the weir), and an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit application
      • Water Security reviews submission
      • Water Security issues Water Rights License and Approval to Construct & Operate the weir to the RM
  • Phase 3 - 2025/TBA (Pending)
    • Phase 3 is the construction of the weir.  
    • Construction cost estimates are expected following the detailed engineering design.
    • Coffer Dam to remain in place lake levels to retain Dixon Lake level until October 2025
    • Construction would then be tentatively planned for October 2025 - or winter 2025/2026 with an application to Water Security to extent the permit on the Coffer Dam until the Weir is in place.
    • DISCLAIMER:  If Phase 2 remains incomplete, for example the flood easements are not able to be fully achieved, the project will not proceed to construction and, following the Coffer Dam's removal, the water level of Dixon Lake will be based on its natural ability to contain water from flowing out the outlet into the Carrot River.

Lake Level Summary

  • Current (Sep 4, 2024) Lake Level 494.2m 
  • Proposed Lake Level:

a) Concept designed weir elevation 493.1m = Reduction in lake level is 1.1m (3.6ft)

b) Sept/Oct 2024 proposed weir elevation 493.6m - 493.74m = Reduction in lake level is  18" - 24"

In the event that construction of the weir is unable to proceed, the lake level should be at minimum the elevation of the natural outlet of the lake which is 492.8m (from the Hydrology Report) - this would be a reduction of 1.4m (4.6ft) from current levels.  The lake level, as history has proven, is influenced by the presence of beaver dams on the outlets and downstream on the Carrot River.

Image from Concept Design

Example of Newbury Rock Riffle


Notice of Beaver Dam Removal

UPDATE - Oct 11, 2024    Water Security has approved the installation of a Coffer Dam in the outlet of Dixon Lake prior to/in tandem to the beaver dam being released.  This will help mitigate risk of a flood event should the dam give way during the release process.  This will also retain a ideal lake level in Dixon Lake - note, the level will continue to be approximately 18" - 24" below the Sep 4, 2024 level (494.2m elevation).  The Coffer Dam is permitted to remain in place until October 2025.

To facilitate repairs to Eagle Bay Bridge the large dam existing under the bridge will be removed starting October 15, 2024.  Water levels of Dixon Lake will recede as a result, and water levels in the Carrot River system downstream from Dixon Lake will increase (includes Struthers Lake and Waterhen Marsh).  In consultation with Water Security, the RM will release the dam slowly to ensure water flow is as minimally impactful to downstream lands as possible.

All affected landowners are advised to take any necessary precautions.

photo taken June 2024

location of Dam and proposed Weir



Completed Municipal Projects

Landfill Decommissioning

  • NE 36-43-24-W2
  • Completed Fall 2022
  • Funded by the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan Investing in Canada's Infrastructure Program (ICIP) Green Infrastructure Stream 
  • Project Budget: $225,000
  • Photo #1
  • Photo #2


Bridge to Culvert Replacement

  • Railway Ave, Yellow Creek
  • Completed Summer 2022
  • Removal of old timber bridge and replacement with an 11ft (3000mm) diameter steel culvert


Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

  • Yellow Creek
  • Completed 2021
  • Project Budget: $8,790.00 under the Federal Gas Tax Fund


Bridge to Culvert Replacement


Low Level Crossing

  • South of Hwy 320
  • W of 11-44-24-2
  • Completed Summer 2021
  • Photo #1


Hunters Bay Beach


Crystal Ridge Kayak/Canoe Dock

  • Crystal Ridge Subdivision
  • Dixon Lake
  • Completed June 2021
  • Recycled lumber from the landfill put together into a kayak/canoe dock
  • Accessed on public walkway, Block 2
  • Photo #1


Fire Truck Purchase

  • Yellow Creek Fire Department
  • Purchased 2021
  • Project Budget: $34,000 under the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP)
  • Total project cost: $10,500
  • RM purchased a 1994 Fore E-350 Ambulance for the Fire Department which will be used to transport supplies, firefighters and first responders to a scene, and can be used to provide treatment, warmth or shelter to victims awaiting EMT/STARS.


Mountain Road Upgrade

  • E of NE/SE 5-44-23-W2
  • Completed October 2020
  • This upgrade facilitated the straightening of the road and new access from Highway 41 to Struthers Lake!


Boyd Curve (Cleghorn Curve)

  • NE 22-45-22-W2
  • Completed September 2020
  • This speed curve facilitates a continuous heavy haul (Clearing The Path) route, Grid #778 from Crystal Springs to Kinistino
  • The RM conducted the construction of this engineered speed curve
  • Total project cost:  $70,000 + Construction


New RM Shop & Office

  • Crystal Springs
  • Opened May 2020
  • General Contractor:  Timber Valley Construction Ltd.
  • Original Contract - $819,577
  • Click here to watch a timelaspse video of the construction of the building, created by Jessie Sjogren!


Struthers Lake / Carrot River Culvert

  • Regional Park Access Road
  • Completed March 2019
  • The RM constructed the removal/replacement of this 11ft (3300mm) diameter culvert
  • Total project cost:  $109,368
  • Photo #1