Town advised water sharing agreement talks

By Rob VogtAlthough recent snowfall is a welcome relief, planning is under way throughout Alberta for the drought that is coming in the spring, including the potential for water-sharing agreements among water licence holders.At its Feb. 12 meeting, Claresholm town council reviewed a letter from Rebecca Schulze, minister of Environment and Protected Areas, to water licence holders about the water … Read more

M.D. advised about drought planning

By Rob VogtAlthough recent snowfall is a welcome relief, planning is underway throughout Alberta for the drought that is coming in the spring.At its Jan. 10 meeting, the council reviewed a letter from Rebecca Schulze, minister of Environment and Protected Areas, about the water situation in the province.“Alberta is currently in a significant drought,“ Schulze wrote. “During summer 2023, several … Read more

Province commissions study to help manage water supply

By Rob VogtThe provincial government is commissioning a study on drought to help the province manage Alberta’s water supply.On Dec. 1, Alberta Environment and Protected areas issued a release stating they have issued a request for proposal to enhance drought modelling and help the province prepare for 2024.It was noted Alberta relies on melting snow and rain for most of … Read more

Land in Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm to be conserved

By Rob VogtThree properties in the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm will be conserved.On Nov. 14, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced the conservation of three properties in this region of southwestern Alberta.Spanning more than 2,500 hectares, equivalent to double the size of Nose Hill Park in Calgary or over 4,000 Canadian Football League football fields, these projects build … Read more

Council supports pollinator gardens

By Rob VogtThe Town of Claresholm has sent a letter of support for the Oldman Watershed Council’s “Restoring Grasslands and Empowering Communities” project.The decision came at council’s Oct. 23 meeting, after they reviewed a report from administration stating the Oldman Watershed Council is applying for a five-year grant to restore habitat for native bees, and is looking for partners who … Read more

Blue-green algae advisory lifted

By Rob Vogt; Photo by Trevor McDavidAlberta Health Services has announced it has lifted the blue-green-algae advisory for the Twin Valley Reservoir.On Nov. 2, they issued a release stating recent weather has cooled lake and reservoir water temperatures to such an extent that cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, is no longer a health concern, including in three bodies of water in … Read more

Town to research landscaping policies

By Rob VogtThe Town of Claresholm will look into researching municipal landscaping policies to encourage environmentally sustainable gardening practices, but will not replace the grass at the new town office and multi-use community building with arid land landscaping.At its July 17 meeting, Claresholm town council reviewed a request from Cynthia Wannamaker asking the town consider setting an example to homeowners … Read more