Buffalo Lake project raises concern

Buffalo Lake project raises concern The Canadian Press Red Deer Communities that could be helped by a plan to divert water into Buffalo Lake have welcomed Alberta government plans to res­urrect the project, shelved in 1984. But a retired botany professor has voiced concerns over a recent Alberta Environment report which says the proposed $ 15- million scheme to divert water from a riv­er will not cause a serious algae problem at the shallow lake, 19 ki­lometres northwest of Stettler. Charles Bird said he can under­stand the desire of residents to raise the level of Buffalo Lake. Proponents of the plan say it will boost tourism in the area. " But studying this report leads me to the conclusion that quite a bit of additfdnal ecological work needs to be done before a firm commitment is given to go ahead with the project," Bird said. Five years ago the province mothballed the proposal aftef studies determined algae would bloom on the lake to unacceptable levels if river and lake water were mixed. Alberta Environment now feels the river will not pump as much algae- producing phosphorus into the lake as predicted in three earlier studies. It intends to begin an environ­mental impact assesement early next year. 2