A long-discussed, often-studied, never-built Red Deer River dam proposal dating back decades is being dusted off and resurrected by the provincial government.

A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for a feasibility study of a new dam and reservoir east of Red Deer to address water availability concerns and provide irrigation for farming in east-central Alberta.

The project comes as the Prairies have continued to see significant drought in recent years. As climate change makes such weather…