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Experts hopeful Ponoka County moisture levels will recover over winter

Much of the Battle River watershed is still experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions, as reported by the Canadian Drought Outlook

Earlier this fall, the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) advised much of the Battle River watershed, including Ponoka County, was still experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions, as reported by the Canadian Drought Outlook.

The Government of Alberta’s Agricultural Moisture Situation Update for the end of August indicated "substantial" precipitation is needed this fall and winter across much of Central Alberta to help pasture lands, soil moisture reserves, native vegetation and the overall landscape recover.

Since the end of May 2023, the Government of Alberta has issued a Water Shortage Advisory for the entire Battle River watershed. The province's 2024 Drought Response Plan released in May and placed the entire province in Stage 4, the second-highest stage.

Conditions were so dry that portions of the Battle River near Ponoka were registering a zero water flow rate at times earlier this fall and summer, leading to die off of fish and clams.

The general trend being seen is that moisture levels for Ponoka County are still moderately low, according to BRWA programs manager Sarah Skinner.

It's hoped consistent precipitation and snow fall over the winter will improve ground moisture and water flow rates by the spring, she said.

Some of the key maps BRWA looks at include precipitation accumulation over the past year relative to normal. 

Nearing the end of September, Ponoka County precipitation levels were still ranging from very low to moderately low, said Skinner. 

Skinner explained its normal in this area to see very low precipitation conditions about once every 25 years. 

Moving out from the centre of the county, the levels are low, which is typical to see every six to 12 years. 

The outer west edge of the county has seen moderately low moisture levels over the past year, which is typically to see every three to six years, said Skinner. 

The other main map BRWA consults is soil moisture reserves, she said. The historic weather data being used is from 1961 to 2023. 

The estimate for ground moisture in Ponoka County, which is really important for maintaining crop land and grass, was still moderately low relative to the long-term normal by the end of September, said Skinner. 

One area starting to look closer to normal is the eastern part of the county, said Skinner. 

"That's been great to see," said Skinner, adding moisture levels range more towards normal heading to Camrose County and the further east you go. 

"In general that is a good sign, an encouraging sign, I would say."

Taking a wider look at Central Alberta, Wetaskiwin is still quite dry, along with Red Deer, she said.

Skinner said area farmers she's spoken to are hoping weather conditions are right this winter to allow the ground moisture to recover. 

"A good amount of snow will still be welcome."

Skinner said the BRWA received a few reports of die off of fish and clams in the Battle River this summer in Ponoka and north of Wainwright - which isn't common unless water levels are very low. 

Die off of clams typically only happens when water levels are so low that the clams become stranded out of the water, Skinner explained. 

"It's not an overly common occurrence when river flows are closer to average," said Skinner.

The organization was encouraging people who observed such conditions to report it to the provincial Environmental Response Line at 1-800-222-6514. 

Skinner added providing as much information as possible about the conditions, including location, species and numbers, helps ensure an accurate record is available. 

Precipitation and snowfall over the winter will be the main factors affecting the recovery of the watershed, said Skinner. 

River flow rates aren't monitored over the winter, but BRWA will be checking levels within the Battle River as soon as the ice breaks up and spring flow begins. 



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I'm a reporter for Ponoka News and have lived in Ponoka since 2015.
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