Low water levels in the Battle River at some locations, including Ponoka, may be responsible for more fish going belly up, according to the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA).
"BRWA has received calls from a number of residents this past week about low water levels in the Battle River," stated a release on Aug. 6.
Reports included algal blooms, and fish and clams stranded and dying.
BRWSA have been monitoring water flow rates closely this summer.
According to their data, flow rates along the Battle River ranged from 0.0 to 1.3 cubic metres per second (cms) as of July 30.
At the monitoring station upstream of Ponoka, the flow rate was just 0.03 cms.
On Highway 21 near Duhamel ( 20 kilometres southwest of Camrose) there was no observable flow, at 0.0 cms. A water restriction has been in effect in the City of Camrose since July 15.
Downstream, Forestburg was faring a bit better at 0.32 cms.
"If you see these types of conditions, please report through the Government of Alberta's Environmental Response Line," stated BRWSA.
"When reporting fish kills, Stephen Spencer, Senior Fisheries Biologist, has indicated that the approximate numbers, species and location are essential to document the event."
To reach the Energy and Environmental Emergency 24-Hour Response Line call 1-800-222-6514.
For more water flow data, visit rivers.alberta.ca.
On Aug. 6, the Government of Alberta announced its will be investing over $30 million under the Drought and Flood Protection Program into community-led projects to protect against the effects of drought and floods.
The funding is intended to help communities access water during extreme low flows and protect critical infrastructure in the event of floods.
Of the 18 projects approved for funding this year, 10 are focused on responding to the impacts of drought.
"Alberta Municipalities welcomes the Government of Alberta’s investments in helping to mitigate the effects of natural disasters," said Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities, in a release. "Our member-municipalities know best how to invest in local infrastructure projects, so we appreciate these funds being made available for direct application to the most pressing needs.”
"The RMA welcomes the Drought and Flood Protection Program and the benefit it will bring to rural municipalities, with $10 million of the total funding being directed to rural projects," said Paul McLauchlin, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
None of the approved projects are within Central Alberta (the closest being in St. Albert), however, four more rounds of funding are planned under the program and new applications will be accepted each year.
