Edmonton's 'iconic' waterfall on the brink

Edmonton's Great Divide Waterfall is on a lifeline.

A city council committee debated Wednesday whether to shut it down in face of city environmental policies and a maximum $700,000 repair bill.

A consultant's report, discussed at the city's executive committee, outlined three options for keeping the falls on the High Level Bridge, but emphasized "only the most expensive option to dechlorinate the water and upgrade the system will be able to restore the original flow performance and appearance."

'Although the waterfall is likely remembered fondly by Edmontonians, there has been no public concern expressed since it has been shut down.' —City of Edmonton report

The report also indicates that the cost of waterfall operations would rise to $40,000 per year because of the need for an additional crew to operate and monitor the dechlorination equipment.

The waterfall was shut off in 2009 when the city realized the chlorinated water may be affecting water quality in the river.

The city is now going back to Environment Canada to see how much chlorine is too much, before deciding on pulling the plug for good.

The city's 2012 budget eliminated funding for operation or repairs.

The report notes, "Although the waterfall is likely remembered fondly by Edmontonians, there has been no public concern expressed since it has been shut down."

The Great Divide Waterfall was built in 1980 for $425,000 to build, with $100,000 from the city and the rest from donations.

Designed by then Edmonton artist Peter Lewis, the waterfall was constructed to mark Alberta’s 75th Anniversary.

The Great Divide Waterfall was operated on five long weekends in the summer at a rough operating cost of $2,000 per hour, or $30,000 per year.