Bassano Dam — Attraction in Alberta

If you've wondered about this place for a couple of decades, it is worth the few minutes detour off the highway to see it, especially if you like seeing dams in general. I enjoyed stretching my legs for 15 minutes. The is a couple of nice views from different vantage points. I probably won't stop again for a really long time, but I'm glad I stopped by today after wondering about it every time I've passed through Bassano for the last 30 years. The river bank is a lot higher than it looks in the photos, but it isn't super...

A bit off the beaten path, this place is a wonderful engineering project in southern Alberta. It is simple to access and you can walk it's length with ease. Used for irrigation, the dam holds back a picturesque reservoir. When walking on the actual dam you get a nice view of the spillways and a refreshing mist to cool you off on hot days. There is a small, well maintained park on the hill that explains it's construction and use. Views of the surrounding countryside are wonderful. Well worth the drive down gravel...

A worthy structure to see. Fishing below the dam can be frustrating but sometimes the reward of a keeper walleye can be had. Have caught walleyes, trout, suckers, pike and goldeyes there. Lots of water fowl to observe also.

Be-careful as the only way down there is a treacherous downhill descent which also makes it a little to walk back up. The downhill is probably close to 45 degrees. As well any moisture on the ground can make the walk very slippery.

Because it is a dam, water flows constantly making...