Photo Courtesy Derek Brade

By Chris Brown

County wants gravel, offering free testing to landowners

Feb 7, 2022 | 3:15 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – Cypress County is offering free gravel source testing to landowners so it can develop a strong supply of gravel for decades from now.

According to county CAO Tarolyn Aaserud, gravel is like diamonds to rural municipalities.

“We gravel our roads two to every three years and so it’s essential for the travelling public and for commerce and the agricultural community and for the oil and gas sector have roads that are well maintained and part of having excellent maintenance is having an appropriate gravel source,” she says.

The county uses about 97,000 yards of gravel each year on more than 2,200 kilometres of road. One yard of gravel covers about 15 squares metres at two inches’ depth.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

6h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Aaserud says there are pockets of gravel throughout Cypress County.

“So what we look for is if a landowner looks at the quarter that they have, if there is a lot of aggregate that is smaller in nature, three-quarter-inch to an inch and it is throughout their field, that’s what we’re looking for,” she says.

A couple of holes are dug about 20 feet deep and if the county finds the right gravel further discussions with the landowner will start.

If you want to have your gravel tested more information can be found on the Cypress County website.