Pumping of Cochrane Lake to the Bow River is slated to be fully operational by Aug. 28, as the province works to bring the flooded lake back down to 1,281 meters (or close to it) before winter arrives.
“Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) has identified a way to safely expedite Cochrane Lake pumping activities and is proceeding with the interim Bow River line strategy,” the province issued in an Aug. 25 press release.
Rick Deans, senior manager of infrastructure for the town, confirmed that the water being pumped into the Bow River is upstream from the town’s water intake and that the town foresees no concerns with the capabilities of the town’s water treatment plant.
It has been identified for months that the temporary solution of pumping water into Big Hill Creek and Horse Creek has not been sufficient at bringing the water levels down (with another six feet to go).
Pumping into the two creeks is currently continuing.
Rocky View County (RVC) Div. 2 councillor Jerry Arshinoff has been vocal of his support for the affected Cochrane Lake residents and has confirmed that he and Div. 8 councillor Al Sacuta will continue to push county council to scrap the notion of pumping into Horse Creek as a long-term solution.
“It’s only viable (to pump into Horse Creek) until we get too much rainfall,” said Arshinoff, adding that in the event of heavy rainfall, the only body of water that can sustain the pumping would be the Bow River — which may prove to be more costly in the short term, but more reliable in the long run.
The Div. 2 councillor said he has been advised by county administration that the proposed Land Improved Tax (LIT) that was brought forward by Div. 9 councillor Bruce Kendall is now not going to be recommended by county administration. Kendall is the councillor for the Cochrane Lake area and has been criticized by some residents for the proposed LIT and his lack of response to the concerns of (unofficial) hamlet residents.
Arshinoff said that the county and the province would be meeting with various consultants and experts in the coming weeks, as they weigh out the pros and cons of devising a permanent solution of pumping water into the Bow River versus pumping into Horse Creek.
Arshinoff said that he is also familiar with the concerns of advocates for the watersheds at Horse Creek and Big Hill Creek— including the damage the current pumping appears to be having on the brook trout spawning at Big Hill Creek.
“This silt (from the pumping) will not only destroy this fall’s spawning activity on Ranch House Spring Creek, but it will most likely destroy the brook trout and brown trout spawning activity in the main stem of Big Hill Creek, a known spawning tributary to the Bow River,” explained Guy Woods, director of Bow Valley Habitat Development (BVHD).
According to Woods, he has received correspondence from AESRD that the flooding problem of Cochrane Lake has taken precedent on the possible negative impact on the watersheds that the flooded lake is being pumped into.
He informed the Eagle that the province has advised him that they do not feel the temporary pumping would have a permanent negative impact on the spawning activities of the trout.
Woods also said that area fisheries biologist, Jennifer Earl, was not made aware of the pumping activities into Big Hill Creek; he asserts that a lack of proper consultation on the matter could lead to significant ecological impacts.
A bulk of residents around the unofficial Cochrane Lake hamlet and some Monterra residents have been significantly impacted by the flooding — with the extreme case of John Boutet and Jill Breeck, the elderly couple who have watched water levels creep up to their doorstep — noted as the most impacted.
Many of the (unofficial) hamlet residents and some Monterra residents face potentially thousands per household in property damages from large portions of their backyards and greenery floating under the stagnant, algae-covered water.
Arshinoff said he would push to see four areas addressed: the continued pumping of the flooded lake into the Bow River as part of the short-term solution; scrapping the notion of an LIT (essentially putting the cost back to the residents); devising a permanent solution (favouring the Bow River rather than Horse Creek); and looking to the county to compensate residents for the property damages.
Thirty-year Cochrane Lake resident Gloria Wilson said that her concerns linger on the notion of an LIT, as well as compensation for those affected property owners.
She said she is also concerned over whether these matters will all be resolved before a new developer takes over Phase 3,4 and 5 of Monterra — and what responsibilities and accountabilities will be placed on that future developer.
