Dear editor:
Regarding the Sept. 18 issue of the Cochrane Eagle and an article written by Lindsay Seewalt titled, ‘Cochrane Lake water levels continue to decline.’
In her piece, Seewalt wrote: “Despite concerns expressed by environmental advocates, including Guy Woods from Bow Valley Habitat Development, AESRD said no long term ecological impacts are predicted to arise from the temporary pumping.”
First off, let me say that I have no objections to the dewatering of Cochrane Lake. However, I do have concerns about the impacts of water being pumped into the Ranch House Spring Creek and its possible impacts on the spawning event that will occur this October by resident brook trout from the Bighill Creek. This is my primary concern in this matter.
The added volume of Cochrane Lake water that presently is flowing in the stream channel on Ranch House Spring Creek more than doubles the normal fall flows in this important spawning tributary to the Bighill Creek. Brook trout require clean cold water that is flowing over clean gravel substrate, in order to successfully complete their spawning activity. The flow for this spawning or egg depositing reproductive cycle needs to be the right velocity of flow and depth. Furthermore, it needs to be carried out in existing spawning habitats that are utilized by the trout every October, year after year.
With the doubling of flow in the existing creek channel, the velocity of water flowing over this spawning section on the stream has also increased. Through the natural process, the channel was eroded into a narrow width that accommodates limited seasonal flows, so any additional flow is constricted by the narrow stream banks and flows swiftly downstream into the Bighill Creek.
On Aug. 20 of this year, I received a communique from Craig Knaus with the following statement and assurance from ESRD: “A consulting firm will be retained to conduct an assessment of the discharge activities on the long term effects of Horse Creek, Bighill Creek and the Bow River (at the discharge point).”
After reading Lindsay’s article, I was left a little puzzled – is AESRD now opting to ‘predict’ the long term ecological impacts instead of waiting for the “hard scientific evidence” to be completed?
In the fall of 2013, Bow Valley Habitat Development completed a spawning survey of brook trout on Ranch House Spring Creek, before the pumping activity was started. In the survey, a total of 12 brook trout redds were identified and mapped on the creek.
You can see video of the brook trout’s actual spawning and the successful hatch of a new generation of trout at the following YouTube channel: MrGuyWoods channel or youtube.com/watch?v=C_m5tHy8Y3o&list=UUA28Cbl1CXrhrshOItpYStg.
This fall, a second spawning assessment will also be completed by BVHD. I suspect (not predict) that there may be less, if any, spawning activity in the Ranch House Spring Creek this fall. However, whatever the result, at least I will let the facts guide me in my determination.
My second concern, and no less important, is the total disregard by AESRD staffers for any impacts to the wild trout populations in our home waters.
Having trout living in our community and reproducing is a unique natural asset that I am sure all of us appreciate equally. The least that we can do is protect their life cycle and the habitat in which they depend upon. Life is tough enough as it is for a trout these days!
Guy Woods
