The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) reported Tuesday in its August newsletter that it had been receiving calls from residents along the Battle River about low water levels.
“In several cases there were reports of algal blooms, and fish and clams stranded and dying,” the BRWA reports.
“Staff have been monitoring the water flows closely this summer.”
BRWA says that data from the Rivers Alberta website shows flow rates at various sites along the Battle River, which as of July 30 were ranging from 0.0 to 1.3 cubic meters of water flow per second.
BRWA asks residents adjacent to the river to report water conditions and concerns to the Government of Alberta’s Environmental Response Line. (Energy and Environmental Emergency 24-Hour Response Line – Call 1-800-222-6514).
If calling to report fish kills, BRWA says that approximate numbers, species, and location are all essential information.
The City of Camrose gets its water from Dried Meat Lake, which is fed by the Battle River. The City is presently in ‘Stage 2’ of its four-stage water shortage response plan, which triggers watering restrictions for lawns (hours and days) and vehicle washing restrictions (hand held hose or bucket only – or commercial car wash – pressure washers not allowed).
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor