On May 2, a letter to the editor was printed with an astonishing amount of incorrect information. The letter was written by Ron Brown: Fish and Wildlife turned off aerators.
If Brown is referring to the aeration of Fiesta Lake, Beaver Lake, Birch Lake, Mitchell Lake, Ironside Pond or Hansen’s Reservoir, then he is blaming the wrong organization. Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) runs the aeration of these lakes, not Fish and Wildlife.
As president and CEO of ACA, Brown can place the blame on me for shutting down the aerators. He states that most of the aerators in Central Alberta have been shut down for over a month. In fact, most aerators were shut down in mid-April (which may be a month ago when this letter gets published, but was not “over a month”).
Brown is correct that the aerators were shut down before ice out, but only after qualified biologists evaluated existing conditions and felt it was safe to do so. We shut down the aerators every year before ice-out to avoid damage to the aerators (as the ice breaks up it can get stuck in the aerator or the ice can be pushed over the aerator by the wind).
Dissolved oxygen levels are monitored on a regular basis and were checked at every location prior to removing the aerators to ensure the appropriate levels existed to sustain the fish until ice was out. Dissolved oxygen levels have been measured since the aerator removal with no issues noted and as a result we do not expect any problems.
The one exception is Hansen Reservoir. A mechanical failure of the windmill that powers the aerator occurred earlier in the winter and while we were waiting for a replacement part, the oxygen levels dropped significantly. It is possible that we may experience a partial fish kill at this location, but not as a result of early removal of an aerator.
I encourage the public to question decisions that are made with respect to wildlife and fish resources in Alberta. The more the public takes an interest, the more resources we can allocate to management and conservation.
It is frustrating when individuals don’t have all the facts and take shots at hard working, qualified professionals. The biologists involved in the aeration program take great pride in their work to provide recreational opportunities for all Albertans.
You can disagree with the decisions they make, but don’t question their dedication. Whether it is a government biologist or an ACA biologist, they are doing all they can for the fisheries resource.
I am an angler, as are my wife and two children, so I do care about anglers, as do all the members of the aeration team. If you have questions please give me a call (780-410-1990).
Todd Zimmerling, MSc, PhD, PBiol
Alberta Conservation Association
Sherwood Park