While many business owners of 20 years look forward to sitting back and reaping the rewards of their hard work, one Ghost Lake resident and business owner is concerned that the government's use of the Ghost Reservoir for flood mitigation efforts may
While many business owners of 20 years look forward to sitting back and reaping the rewards of their hard work, one Ghost Lake resident and business owner is concerned that the government's use of the Ghost Reservoir for flood mitigation efforts may have an irreversible impact on his livelihood.
Mike Weinert is celebrating his 20th year as the owner/operator of Ghost Lake Recreations and provincial campground manager.
He is not celebrating a decline in business upwards of 40 per cent - with respect to not being able to rent out his mooring and dock slips, which he normally has sold out of by now.
This dramatic slide in business is the apparent downside to the province's agreement with TransAlta to lower the lake levels even more than in their 2014 pilot project.
Following the 2013 epic flood, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) and TransAlta launched a pilot project that saw the water level maximum brought down from 1,189 meters to 1,187 through the flood season (through July 31); due to low levels last year, the water levels were brought up, reaching maximum flow capacity of 1,191 meters by the end of July. This year, that number will be lowered to 1,184.2 meters (through July 7) - a level so low that Weinert said no boats would be able to be put into the water until water levels begin to rise.
“It's destroying my business…it's destroying the recreation out here, ” he said, noting that the consensus from area residents, namely boaters, has been that a feeling of ‘overkill' on the part of the government in reaction to flooding concerns downstream.
“My marina is not set up for that (low) water level, ” he said, adding that the acceptable level for putting boats out has always been around the 1,189 metre-mark.
Graham Mehain is an avid boater and long-time recreational user at Ghost Lake. Mehain is concerned about the safety issues these low water levels will pose to boaters this season.
“Lower lake levels expose underwater hazards that just don't exist when water levels are higher. Even if you are familiar with the lower level that's normal for the lake in May and June - when you drop the level a few more feet you just made the lake more dangerous for everyone. If someone hits a newly created shoal, not only will they severely damage their watercraft, they could incur severe injuries. ”
Jason Penner is a spokesperson with AESRD. According to Penner, the day-to-day decision-making on whether to begin filling lake levels will be based on careful monitoring and weather conditions, as well as being mindful of a potential drought season.
“It's all about building that capacity. Last year, we dropped to 1,187 m to allow for some storage - this year, 1,184.2 m gives us 65 million cubic meters of storage space, ” he explained, adding that the ‘flood risk that Calgary is facing, following 2013, is still fresh in everyone's minds'.
TransAlta aims to lower the water level down to the new low by May 22.
TransAlta spokesperson Leanne Yohemas said that the power generator corporation aims to be a ‘good neighbour' and to move forward with their agreement with AESRD based on ‘thorough planning'.
According to David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, precipitation levels are down 50 per cent over the last 5.5 months compared to average; additionally, temperatures since December have been warmer than normal.
“Our models are showing that June through August will be warmer than normal, ” he said, adding that this is lining up to be the fifth driest year for the prairie provinces since 1948.
TransAlta and AESRD are hosting an open house at Frank Wills Memorial Hall May 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. All stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
