Moisture Situation Update 

Since the beginning of April, many areas across the province have been experiencing dry conditions.  Large parts of east-central Alberta have received less than 10 mm of precipitation since April 1st.   For both these areas, normal accumulations range between 40 to 50 mm.  As such, these deficits could easily be recovered in a one moderately sized rain event.

Soil moisture reserves are highly variable across the province, however, it is still early in the season with June and July, on average, being the wettest months of the year.  Well timed, near normal precipitation accumulations are needed in these areas soon. 

Alberta is divided into seven major river basins or major river systems, namely the Peace, Athabasca, Hay, North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan, Beaver and Milk river basins. For information, advisories and monitoring reports visit this Environment and Sustainable Resource Development site. You will be able to select a Water Basin, then select the type information you want to see.

Tips for Rural Emergencies

Source: Rural Emergency Plan
 

Any rural landowner who has had a fire or hazardous material spill will tell you that often the key to prevent an emergency from turning into a personal or environmental safety disaster is response time. Speed, clear thinking and planning are critical.

The Rural Emergency Plan (REP) has been designed with this in mind. A new tool created by farmers and those on the front lines of emergency response, the REP is a personalized, easy-to-use tool for rural landowners to prepare for personal and environmental safety emergencies on their farms, ranches or acreages. It's also a way to let emergency responders know critically important information about rural properties so they can respond to emergencies quickly, effectively and safely.

Click here to visit the website and download the plan.

The Northern Leopard Frog

Source: City of Medicine Hat, What's New

The ponds, creeks and rivers in and around Medicine Hat are home to healthy populations of Northern Leopard Frogs. These populations are vulnerable to human disturbance and since the 1970's have declined throughout many parts of Alberta.

Interpretive signs are being installed around Strathcona Island Park pond to help people recognize the frog and understand the importance of preserving the habitat and this species.

For the full article, follow this link.

Groundwater Guide

Tips and resources to help you protect your groundwater

Source: Canadian Geographic

What we do on land, in our cities and in our waterways affects Canada's watersheds. Act now to protect our water heritage for future generations.  Visit this interactive guide, select your local watershed and explore the possibilities!

It may be hard to believe for the average person who spends the majority of his or her life above ground, but Canada has more water underground than it does on the surface. This massive subterranean water supply collects in aquifers and often makes its way to the surface by forming into a spring or flowing into a river or lake, sometimes traveling hundreds of kilometres underground to get there. About one in four Canadians rely on groundwater for their water needs, including the entire province of Prince Edward Island.

It can be easy to contaminate groundwater, but extremely difficult to reverse the contamination. The number of known contaminated aquifers in Canada is expected to rise in coming decades as more contaminated groundwater is discharged into lakes and rivers. Once contaminated, an aquifer may be spoiled for decades.

There are two main pillars of groundwater protection: keeping it safe from contamination and not overusing the supply. Here are ten tips from The Groundwater Foundation on how to do just that.

Events and News in our Area 

SMRID Public Notice 

'Additional Aquatic Weed Control Treatments'