The Little Creeks and Rough Fescue Appreciation Society (LCARF) debuted its plans for the upcoming year, as well as recapped 2013 efforts, at the group’s annual general meeting, Feb. 15, at the Nan Boothby Public Library.
This year will mark the final year in the non-profit organization’s three-year water monitoring project for the Horse Creek Watershed.
The project aims to maintain the water quality in the Horse Creek for aquatic life, as drinking water for livestock, contact recreation and irrigation.
“We’re using the data to test the current condition of the water,” said Sarah Leete, president of LCARF. “We’re looking to do the right thing to maintain the quality of the water.”
The results from the water-monitoring project will give stakeholders an idea of the watershed’s water conditions and aid in future planning.
Leete, along with experts from Palliser Environmental Services Ltd., test the water twice a month from April until June, and once a month from July to October. Water samples are collected from three sites in the watershed and analyzed.
The 2013 summary report, which is still in draft form, found water quality generally met guidelines.
The report indicated the discharge from Cochrane Lake impacted the water by increasing water temperature, among other effects.
It also found the lake discharge “may prolong streambank saturation and increase potential for erosion.”
“This science is valuable to us to determine the effect Cochrane Lake discharge is having on the watershed,” remarked Leete.
In addition to continued research efforts, Leete is gearing to expand the organization’s field day event into a “Watershed Weekend.” The event would feature experts in areas of creeks, horses, fish, rough fescue and acreage management.
A date for the weekend education session has yet to be determined.
For more information on what LCARF has planned, check out the Rescuefescue LCARF Facebook page.
