Low water levels in the Oldman River add stress to the ecosystem: experts – Lethbridge | The Canadian News

As fall progresses, those passing by the Oldman River in Lethbridge may have noticed that the water is not as abundant as it usually is.

According to experts, the province’s hot and dry summer is partly to blame.

“The current condition in the Oldman River is that it is lower than normal, but it is not very low yet,” explained Stefan Kienzle.

“The current level is roughly one in five years, so this level occurs roughly every five years.”

Kienzle, a professor in the department of geography and environment at the University of Lethbridge, is a hydrologist who works on how climate change affects water resources.

“The problem that we will see, of course, and we have especially experienced it this year, when you remember the polar vortex at the end of winter, and then of course, followed by the heat dome that we all suffer from, is really really a strong variation of climatic events that will put pressure on the ecosystem ”, he said.

He added that the biggest threat facing southern Alberta’s climate and climate is a multi-year drought.

“We don’t know when that will happen. Is this the beginning of one or not?

When it comes to the species that live in and around the water, low water levels don’t go unnoticed.

Norine Ambrose, executive director of the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society (Cows and Fish), said that while current river levels are not unknown, they are cause for concern.

“It is more difficult for the plants. Obviously, things that live in an aquatic ecosystem need water, and when there is less water, there is less space, there is less food, it gets (hotter or colder) faster. “

Ambrose added that a large amount of snowfall in the coming months would have benefits to help affected species.

“Basically more water is needed for these aquatic ecosystems to survive,” he said.

“Whether it’s rain or melting snow, that’s a very important thing to raise those water levels.”

Both experts remind the public to be aware of their water use, despite its seemingly minimal impact.

“We have to remind ourselves that we live in a region with a scarcity of water and we have to respect the amount of water we have,” Kienzle said.

“People often don’t think they have a direct effect on the water level,” he said. “But the water you use in your home is also important. Every little bit less we use leaves more for the aquatic ecosystem ”.