Brooks Aqueduct
142 Range Road, AB T1R 0E9, Canada
The Brooks Aqueduct is a remarkable historical site located near Brooks, Alberta, showcasing early 20th-century engineering. Constructed between 1912 and 1914 by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), the aqueduct was designed to transport irrigation water across the vast prairies, helping to transform the arid landscape into fertile farmland.
Spanning nearly 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) in length, the Brooks Aqueduct is an elevated structure made of reinforced concrete. It was once the longest concrete aqueduct of its kind in the world. The aqueduct stands about 20 meters (65 feet) above the ground at its highest point, supported by a series of concrete piers. It was designed to carry water across a shallow valley to irrigate the land on the other side, part of the larger Eastern Irrigation District.
Despite its impressive design, the aqueduct faced several challenges during its operation. The concrete structure developed cracks over time, leading to leakage and maintenance difficulties. By the early 1970s, it was deemed impractical to continue using the aqueduct, and it was replaced by underground pipelines.
Today, the Brooks Aqueduct is a National Historic Site of Canada, preserved as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of early Canadian engineers and settlers. Visitors can explore the site, walk along portions of the aqueduct, and learn about its history through interpretive displays. The aqueduct's striking appearance against the prairie landscape makes it a unique and photogenic destination.
