Zelma Reservoir

Zelma Reservoir
Zelma Reservoir
Location in Saskatchewan
Zelma Reservoir
Zelma Reservoir (Canada)
LocationRM of Morris No. 312, Saskatchewan
Coordinates51°49′56″N 105°50′14″W / 51.8321°N 105.8373°W / 51.8321; -105.8373
TypeReservoir
Primary inflowsAqueduct originating at Lake Diefenbaker
Basin countriesCanada
Managing agencySaskatchewan Water Security Agency
Built1967
First flooded1967
Max. width1.6 km (1 mi)
Surface area376.2 ha (930 acres)
Max. depth6.1 m (20 ft)
Water volume14,555 dam3 (11,800 acre⋅ft)
Shore length19.94 km (6.18 mi)
Surface elevation512 m (1,680 ft)
SettlementsNone
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Zelma Reservoir is a reservoir in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the Rural Municipality of Morris No. 312. It is about 17 kilometres (11 mi) east-southeast of the town of Colonsay. The reservoir was built in 1967 as part of South Saskatchewan River Project. That project, originating at Gardiner Dam of Lake Diefenbaker, involved the building of aqueducts, canals, and a series of reservoirs to supply water for irrigation, consumption, and industry. Other reservoirs in the system include Broderick Reservoir, Brightwater Reservoir, Indi Lake, Blackstrap Lake, Bradwell Reservoir, and Dellwood Reservoir.

The BHP potash mine at Jansen gets its water supply from Zelma Reservoir through the Zelma East Non-Potable Water Supply.

There are no communities along the reservoir's shores. Besides Colonsay, other nearby communities include Zelma and Young. There is a public boat launch at the north-east corner, near the dam and access is from Highway 763.