Near Brooks in Newell County, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Brooks Aqueduct

Eastern Irrigation District

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

1. Brooks Aqueduct Marker

Inscription.
This earth aqueduct was built under an agreement between the governments of Canada and Alberta. It replaces the original concrete flume, constructed in 1912-14 to carry irrigation water across the valley to the Patricia and Tilley areas.

The new aqueduct, designed and financed by Canada through the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, was officially opened August 11, 1983, by the Honourable Eugene Whelan, Minister of Agriculture Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 11, 1983.

Location. 50° 31.907′ N, 111° 50.251′ W. Marker is near Brooks, Alberta, in Newell County. It is on Range Road 142 1.2 kilometers south of Township Road 184 (Provincial Highway 1A), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooks AB T1R 0E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Canadian Badlands.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: River in the Sky (here, next to this marker); The River Runs Dry (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named River in the Sky (here, next to this marker); The Brooks Aqueduct/L’aqueduc de Brooks (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Welcome to the Brooks Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named River in the Sky (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named River in the Sky (approx. 1.4 kilometers away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Brooks Aqueduct National Historic Site

Also see . . . Brooks Aqueduct (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The Brooks Aqueduct is a defunct aqueduct, historic site and museum originally built by the irrigation division of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company during the early 1910s in Southern Alberta, Canada. The aqueduct was intended to irrigate a section of southeastern Alberta by diverting water east from Lake Newell from 1914 to 1979, and is located approximately 8 kilometers south of the City of Brooks. The decision was made to use reinforced Portland cement with an open flume designed as a hydrostatic catenary curve. The design also incorporated expansion joints to allow for movement along the long aqueduct due to expansion and contraction with varying temperatures, the joints were made primarily of copper.
In 1969, the Alberta and Canadian governments assumed the responsibility

2. Marker detail: Brooks Aqueduct Aerial View
The contemporary earth aqueduct (canal) is on the left and the original elevated concrete flume aqueduct is on the right.
of maintaining the structure under the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. The Brooks Aqueduct and Bassano Dam were evaluated, and it was found that the dam would require minor rehabilitation, while the aqueduct was no longer suitable for operations. A series of earthen canals were constructed as a replacement for the aqueduct, and after evaluating the cost of demolishing the structure, the governments decided it would be more financially prudent to fence the aqueduct off from the public. The Brooks Aqueduct continues to stand to this day, although the structure itself is no longer structurally sound and has been fenced off since the 1970s. The structure has been designated a National Historic Site with an interpretive center constructed nearby for tourists.

(Submitted on June 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

3. Brooks Aqueduct Marker

Looking west from Range Road 142. The elevated concrete flume aqueduct ruins are partially visible in the background.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

4. Brooks Aqueduct Marker

Looking southwest from Range Road 142. The earth aqueduct is partially visible in the left background.

Elevated Concrete Flume Aqueduct Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

5. Elevated Concrete Flume Aqueduct Ruins

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

6. Elevated Concrete Flume Aqueduct Ruins

Contemporary Earth Aqueduct (canal) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022

7. Contemporary Earth Aqueduct (canal)

View from west to east. It is operational and flowing full-to-the-brim today. The elevated concrete flume aqueduct ruins are visible in the left background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.