Gull Lake’s diminishing water levels continues to be a concern for local municipalities, advocacy and stakeholder groups.
During their regular meeting on April 9, Ponoka County councillors Doug Weir, Mark Matejka and Bryce Liddle reported they’d attended a recent Gull Lake Water Stabilization Committee meeting.
The Gull Lake Watershed Society (GLWS) has been raising the alarm about the lake’s water levels since the provincial government revoked the water licence to pump water from the Blindman River pumping station back in 2018 due to concerns over Prussian Carp.
Eggs of the invasive species had been found in the Blindman River.
Since then, several ideas have been proposed to try to address the issue but a solution has yet to be approved and implemented.
For example, Ponoka County council has been trying to get the necessary approvals for dredging the boat launches at the lake, which would remove silt and sediment to ensure they are usable.
However, at their last meeting in March, council heard dredging the boat launches at the lake wouldn’t be possible this year due to delays with consulting the O’Chiese First Nation. It was hoped that consultation process could be completed, with dredging approved by 2025.
Now there’s hope a new filtration system developed by GLWS members could see the pumping water from the Blindman River restarted.
A provincial committee has approved the return of pumping with the new filtration system, pending the completion of a hydrology study and public consultation.
READ MORE: Initiative to restore Gull Lake water levels making progress
Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson has also waded into the issue.
During their meeting on April 9, county council was presented with a letter from Johnson to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz.
Johnson asked Shultz to agree to fund a study to determine the effect development has had on the lake water level.
Weir made a motion to request the minister to fund an independent study, as well as a hydrology study, to determine:
- the variables that affect the lake level;
- where surface water is flowing into the lake;
- research how forestry operations, road construction, and land use changes have impacted flows from the drainage basin into the lake including level information before 1924; and
- determine the feasibility and benefits of the restoration of traditional water flow patterns in the area north of Gull Lake.
The motion carried unanimously.
Weight restriction bylaw
Chief administrative officer Peter Hall advised administration had conducted a review of the county’s current weight restriction bylaw and road protection agreement system.
Council passed first reading of the new weight restriction bylaw.
According to the meeting minutes, the county will consult with affected groups before the proposed bylaw comes back before council for additional readings.
Wild boar control
The wild boar sighted in the west part of the County had been tracked but not located. No further sightings had been reported.
Future mitigation of boar issues will be by collaboration between landowners and Ponoka County. A wild boar trap has been purchased.
Rimbey RHPap
Coun. Nancy Hartford attended the Rural Health Professions Action Plan Committee meeting and stated that current doctor staffing in Rimbey is looking good.
There are contract nurses working onsite. There is an upcoming onsite high school career workshop to initiate interest in rural health-care fields.
They were planning a spring recognition event for existing staff.
Rimbey RCMP
Hartford attended the recent Rimbey RCMP open house. Their statistics cited improvements regarding rural crime. The Rimbey detachment is currently fully staffed.
Rimoka Foundation
Weir attended the Rimoka Foundation meeting where discussion was focused on the dramatic increase in construction costs for the addition being considered.
Ponoka ag societies
Weir reported the Ponoka Ag Events Centre Society may enter into negotiations with the Ponoka Ag Society to align themselves to be in a better position to pursue grant monies.
Synergy Alberta
Liddle attended a Synergy Alberta meeting at Calumet Hall where there was a good turnout from industry.
The discussion centered around water usage and real numbers on what is being used.
According to Liddle, license maximums do not always represent the final usage, and operators are bound to not exceed their licenses.
The Alberta Energy Regulator was also represented at the meeting.
Red Deer River Watershed Alliance
Matejka attended a meeting with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance. Discussion focused on water usage versus licensed amounts and increased awareness for all users on cutting back and controlling water usage.
Ponoka County currently has 45 homes on the system.
Ponoka FCSS
Matejka advised Ponoka Family and Community Support Services’ board had successfully taken over the Wetaskiwin programming under the Ponoka FCSS umbrella.
The new smaller-sized wheelchair vans have been on the road approximately three months.
- With files from Paul Cowley, Black Press Media