BUFFALO LAKE Management Team PARLEY CREEK - BUFFALO L A K E WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT • N E W S L E T T E R • A U G U S T • 1998 Message From the Chairman G , reetings from the Buffalo Lake —Management Team for 1998. At long last I both pumps are running and water is moving from the Red Deer River down Parlby Creek and into Buffalo Lake. Unfortunately we did lose about a month of pumping potential due to legalities in the land assembly process. Our marina retrofit at Rochon Sands, and camp­ ground and marina work at Pelican Point are now complete. Both projects look great thanks to the fine efforts of Apollo Landscaping and Doug Neis from Alberta Environmental Protection. I would like to extend our thanks to the Summer Village of Rochon Sands and the County of Camrose for their assis­ tance and cooperation in the completion of these projects. Construction will begin this year on the outlet chan­ nel and structure. This will allow water exceeding the full supply level of Buffalo Lake to pass down Tail Creek to the Red Deer River. This essential component of the project can now proceed as required lands for the outlet and Tail Creek works have been obtained. Our efforts in the near future will include meetings and discussions with Rockeling Bay / Rider Lake property owners to advance the objective of provid­ ing increased water supply and wildlife enhance­ ment in that area. I must extend our sincere apologies to the people and Village of Mirror for allowing their domestic water supply to get so low - our best efforts will be focused on preventing this in the future. As you all know, many of us have long envisioned the benefits this project can bring to the region. It is most satisfying to see the economic activity planned and occurring around the lake which echoes the confidence people have for this project and the area in general. Most elements of this project should be well advanced and fully operational by the onset of the new millennium, contributing to the well being of lake area residents and visitors. Have a good summer and enjoy your lake. Yours truly, Angus Braseth, Chairman BUFFALO LAKE MANAGEMENT TEAM TAIL C R E E K — LOOKING SOUTH Mitigation Projects Rochon Sands & Whitesands Most mitigation items listed in the Buffalo Lake Management Team report of January 1997 for Rochon Sands Provincial Park and the Summer Villages of Rochon Sands and Whitesands have been completed. N E W C A M P G R O U N D AT P E L I C A N P O I N T P A R K New Campground Loop Opens at Pelican Point Park The May long weekend saw visitors occupying the new camping loop along the lakeshore at Pelican Point Park. The project was undertaken by Alberta Environmental Protection as a mitigation measure to ensure that camping along the lake edge would remain viable with increased water levels due to the lake stabilization. The result is 27 modem, generously spaced camp stalls, sized to accommodate today's larger recreational vehicles. The County of Camrose which oper­ ates the facility, installed power to the new sites as an added convenience for Park visitors. Ted Matson, Manager of Parks and Recreation for the County of Camrose reports very positive publicreactionto the new camp­ ground. Mr. Matson is optimistic that the new amenities will attract visi­ tors to stay at Pelican Point Park for longer durations. Renovations to the adjacent Pelican Point Marina area were completed in the fall of 1997. Improvements included a new boat launch, shoreline headwall and pier. OFFICIALS REVIEW P R O J E C T SITES Officials from Alberta Environmental Protection and members of the Buffalo Lake Management Team (BLMT) held discussions in the Summer Village of Rochon Sands on August 12, 1998. Pictured at left to right are: Angus Braseth, Chairman — BLMT; Andy Nowicki, Red Deer Area Manager — AEP; Morley Barrett, Assistant Deputy Minister — AEP; Karl Grollmus — BLMT; Roy Willard — BLMT; Terry Wendland. Rocky Mountain House Area Manager — AEP; Jean MacDonald — '01 MacDonalds' Campground; Frank Cardinal, Parkland Region Director — AEP and Frances Sargent — BLMT. In the Summer Village of Rochon Sands, the marina has been rebuilt and the old rock pier in Rochon Bay was removed. Outstanding is the construction of the protection berm along the south shore area of Rochon Bay. Further consultation with the local landowners is being conducted to ensure that adequate pro­ tection is provided to the properties when the lake level rises due to a l-in-100 year event. The Summer Village of Rochon Sands has aggressively addressed sewage storage and disposal requirements. This will definitely benefit the lake in the future. The Bird Island "protection" project did not commence to-date. Effectively stabilizing the island against erosion from ice breakup in the spring time is the major problem. In the Summer Village of Whitesands, the boat launch has been raised and the immedi­ ate arearegradedas necessary. The completion of the identified mitigation items has served to enhance and improve the Summer Villages of Rochon Sands and Whitesands, and Rochon Sands Provincial Park. M A R I N A AT P E L I C A N POINT Lake Levels • June 9,1998 • June 10,1998 • July 15,1998 • July 23,1998 780.34 metres pumping commenced 780.51 metres 780.48 metres Mitigation Measures Update The Buffalo Lake Management Team developed a list of appropriate mitigation measures after significant pub­ lic and stakeholder consultation during preparation of the Parlby Creek Buffalo Lake Water Management Project Mitigation Report. Over ninety issues were identified during the mitigation investigation with approximately forty issues deemed to require funding to address predicted impacts in a reasonable manner. Some mitigation projects that have been completed, or are presently underway include: Issue Status • potential groundwater, lake water and water well contamination from residential sewage systems • testing program in place - results inconclusive at this stage • potential future conflicts - agricultural use/ recre­ ational use and wildlife use ' the Buffalo Lake Management Team contributed to and participated in tine preparation of a Lake Management Plan by the Counties of Camrose, Lacombe and StettJer • potential for increased water withdrawal requests • the Buffalo Lake Management Team has prepared a Draft Water Management Policy for the Buffalo Lake Basin • increased back flooding at Spotted Lake may alter vegetative regime • study was commissioned and completed with gen­ erally inconclusive results • increased water levels could eliminate shore bird breeding habitat and rare plant habitats • the management of water levels for wildlife and plant habitat in the Rockeling / Rider area was deemed to offset issues. Alberta Environmental Protection and the Buffalo Lake Management Team are working to complete agreements with local land owners • potential inundation to low lying recreational facilities in Rochon Sands Provincial Park • Alberta Environmental Protection has completed retrofits and renovations to affected areas • mercury level concerns in fish • testing program has been implemented • engineered Pariby Creek channel eliminates natur­ al creek habitat • the nearby 185 hectare Wildlife Wetland Conservation area has been acquired and set aside for wildlife management to offset the impact of channelization • protect low lying cottages at Pelican Point • sections of the lakeshore road are schedule to be raised in the fall of 1998 Future Management Team Direction With construction nearing completion on the Parlby Creek - Buffalo Lake Water Management Project, the Buffalo Lake Management Team will now focus on the remaining areas of its original mandate which includes completing mitigation activities and developing a long term operational plan for the system. The Team will continue to play an important role in developing a plan for managing water levels in the system which reflects the diverse needs and expectations of agricultural operations, fish and wildlife concerns, recre­ ational interests and municipal water supply requirements. The post construction operation of the Management Team was recommended by the Environmental Review Board in 1991 to ensure that unforeseen events and long term operational scenarios are effectively addressed. As construction on the project comes to a conclusion it is expected that present monthly BLMT meetings could be reduced to bi-annual sessions. Additional meet­ ing requirements or other public sessions would be scheduled as needed. The Buffalo Lake Management Team will continue to monitor the Lake level and water quality and will facili­ tate input from area stakeholders on pumping scenarios and other issues. The Team will continue working with the Spotted Lake Advisory Committee, the local authorities on Lake planning issues, and the Rockeling Bay / Rider Lake Group on enhanced water supply for agricultural and wildlife enhancement. The continua­ tion of the Buffalo Lake Management Team will provide an ongoing focus for the collection of information, and a forum to address any future concerns. Project Map More Information We encourage you to contact any members of the Buffalo Lake Management Team. They will be pleased to discuss your questions or concerns. Angus Braseth 372-3662 Neil Miller 782-3301 Frances Sargent 788-3785/788-3087 Adrian van Nieuwkerke 742-1533 Karl Grollmuss 742-1801/275-7762 Fern Decaire John Lund Roy Willard Ray Kerber Kim Schmitt Buffalo Lake Management Team c/o Mr. Ray Kerber 4920-51 Street Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6K8 788-2451 747-2438 372-2115 340-5310 342-1314