The provincial government wants feedback on a proposal to boost Gull Lake water levels by resuming pumping from Blindman River.
Pumping has been on hold since 2018 when Prussian carp were found in the river and there were fears the invasive species could be transported into the lake.
However, many property owners and other lake users have become increasingly concerned about low lake levels, which have led to concerns about the impact on wildlife, recreation and property values. The water is so low some marinas and private docks are virtually unusable.
Members of the Gull Lake Watershed Society have been working for years developing and successfully testing a filtration system that will screen out tiny carp eggs before pumped river water reaches the lake.
A committee that included the society and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas representatives closely reviewed the filtration system.
The society was given the green light to submit an application to have stabilization pumps restarted on the condition that a new hydrology study be undertaken and that the proposal be taken to stakeholders and the public for input.
Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) took a look at the lake this year to assess its hydrology, the impact of pumping on lake levels and to assess different pumping scenarios and their effects on lake levels.
The past pumping program began in 1976 and was triggered when lake levels fell to 898.3 metres above sea level and pumps were turned off when water levels hit 899.16 metres.
"The report concluded that this historical pumping has increased the lake level compared to what the level would have been without pumping over the same period," says Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation in a fact sheet.
"Overall, the NHC study showed that pumping can significantly affect lake levels and can be a useful tool in stabilizing the levels in Gull Lake."
Lake levels have been falling since the fall of 2021 and are now below the pumping programs historic threshold.
To gather input an online survey has been created at alberta.ca/gull-lake-stabilization-engagement. The survey closes Aug. 30.
Three in-person open houses are set for:
• Aug. 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon at Meridian Beach Community Hall, 285 Canal Street
• Aug.12, 2-4:30 p.m. at Summer Village Parkland Beach Hall, 9 Parkland Beach Road
• Aug. 13, 9:30 a.m. to noon at Summer Village of Gull Lake Hall, 27 Lakeview Avenue
An online open house and webinar has been set for Aug. 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. To register for the online session go to alberta.ca/gull-lake-stabilization-engagement.
