Cloverbar Ravine Project

The Cloverbar Ravine Project used an in-stream, passive treatment approach to improve water quality before discharge to the North Saskatchewan River. The system treated flows of approximately 8,200 m³ per day using Clearflow Gel Flocculant Blocks positioned about 150 meters upstream of the treatment area, providing time for mixing and floc formation. Approximately 100 meters of Treated Jute matting was installed downstream to capture the resulting floc and sediment.

Third-party laboratory testing by Golder Engineering demonstrated substantial reductions across a broad range of water-quality parameters, including suspended solids, organic loading, nutrients, hydrocarbons and metals. Final water clarity was reported at less than 8 NTU, and visible freshwater organisms provided an encouraging indication that aquatic habitat was beginning to recover.

Key results information

• Achieved final water turbidity of less than 8 NTU at a flow rate of approximately 8,200 m³/day.

• Reduced total suspended solids by 79%, biochemical oxygen demand by 83% and chemical oxygen demand by 68%.

• Reduced ammonia nitrogen by 96%, total Kjeldahl nitrogen by 93% and total phosphorus by 83%.

• Achieved substantial reductions in several metals, including cadmium by 89%, zinc by 88%, potassium by 85%, uranium by 84% and cobalt and selenium by 82%.

• Captured accumulated sediment on the Treated Jute matting, producing visibly cleaner water and supporting the re-establishment of aquatic life.