Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative (Frwwc)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative (Frwwc) Final Report for: FOOTHILLS REGIONAL WATER AND WASTEWATER COLLABORATIVE (FRWWC) REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY Date: July 11, 2016 2210-047-00 Proud of Our Past… Building the Future www.mpe.ca Suite 320, 6715 –8 Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Phone: 403-250-1362 1-800-351-0929 Fax: 403-250-1518 Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative July 11, 2016 c/o Town of Okotoks Municipal Center File: N:\2210\047-00\L02-1.0 5 Elizabeth Street Okotoks, AB T1S 1K1 Attention: Matt Rockley, FRWWC Co-Chair Suzanne Oel, FRWWC Co-Chair Dear Mr. Rockley and Ms. Oel: Re: Regional Wastewater Feasibility Study Final Report We are pleased to submit a final copy of the “Regional Wastewater Feasibility Study” Final Report as requested by the Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative (FRWWC). This study is completed in conjunction with Urban Systems Ltd. to provide the FRWWC with an assessment of viable sub-regional alternatives that were beyond that considered in the higher level Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) work for the South Region. Please contact the undersigned with any questions that you may have. Yours truly, MPE ENGINEERING LTD. Sarah Fratpietro, P.Eng. Project Manager SF/pm Enclosure FRWWC Regional Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION This report has been prepared by MPE Engineering Ltd. and Urban Systems Ltd. under authorization of Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative. The material in this report represents the best judgment of MPE Engineering Ltd. and Urban Systems Ltd. given the available information. Any use that a third party makes of this report, or reliance on or decisions made based upon it is the responsibility of the third party. MPE Engineering Ltd. and Urban Systems Ltd. accept no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by a third party as a result of decisions made or actions taken based upon this report. Should any questions arise regarding content of this report, please contact the undersigned. MPE ENGINEERING LTD. (Pipeline and Lift Station Work) Sarah Fratpietro, P.Eng. Randy Boras, M.Sc. P.Eng MPE Engineering Ltd. MPE Engineering Ltd. Project Manager Senior Project Specialist URBAN SYSTEMS LTD. (WWTPs, PESTLE, and Stream Analysis) Leigh Chmilar, P.Eng. Steve Brubacher, P.Eng. Urban Systems Ltd. Urban Systems Ltd. Water Engineer Principal i FRWWC Regional Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 STUDY SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.0 SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL MEMORANDUMS ................................................................................ 8 2.1 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 1 (TM1) – PLANNING AND PROJECTIONS .......................................................... 8 2.1.1 Population and Flow Projections .................................................................................................. 8 2.1.2 Water License Summary ................................................................................................................. 9 2.1.3 Westend Regional Sewage Services Commission (WRSSC) .............................................. 10 2.1.4 M.D. of Foothills No. 31 ................................................................................................................. 11 2.1.5 High River ......................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.6 Okotoks ............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 2 (TM2) – STREAM ANALYSIS .......................................................................... 12 2.3 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 3 (TM3) – OPTIONS & SCREENING .................................................................. 14 2.3.1 Projected Flows ............................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.2 Design Assumptions ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Option 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 17 2.3.4 Option 2 ............................................................................................................................................. 17 2.3.5 Option 3 ............................................................................................................................................. 18 2.3.6 Option 4 ............................................................................................................................................. 19 2.3.7 WWTP Outfalls ................................................................................................................................. 19 2.3.8 Costs .................................................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.9 PESTLE Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.3.10 Two Preferred Options .............................................................................................................. 21 2.4 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 4 (TM4) – PREFERRED OPTIONS .................................................................... 22 2.4.1 Option 3 Pipeline Conceptual Design and Phasing ............................................................... 22 2.4.2 Option 3 WWTP Conceptual Design and Phasing .................................................................. 25 2.4.3 Option 4 Pipeline Conceptual Design and Phasing ............................................................... 26 2.4.4 Costs .................................................................................................................................................. 29 2.4.5 Comparison of Options ................................................................................................................. 32 2.5 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 5 (TM5) – WESTEND OPTIONS ........................................................................ 33 2.5.1 Projected Flows ............................................................................................................................... 34 2.5.2 Phasing of Options ......................................................................................................................... 34 2.5.3 Option 1 Local WWTP .................................................................................................................... 34 2.5.4 Option 2 Sub-Regional Pipeline .................................................................................................. 35 2.5.5 Costs .................................................................................................................................................. 35 3.0 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................... 38 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 41 5.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 42 ii FRWWC Regional Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study APPENDICES Appendix A: Technical Memorandum 1 – Planning and Projections Appendix B: Technical Memorandum 2 – Stream Analysis Appendix C: Technical Memorandum 3 – Options & Screening Appendix D: Technical Memorandum 4 – Preferred Options Appendix E: Technical Memorandum 5 – Westend Options iii FRWWC Regional Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Foothills Regional Water and Wastewater Collaborative (FRWWC) has explored a sub- regional wastewater management strategy for future wastewater collection and treatment servicing in the Sheep and Highwood River watersheds. The goal of this project is to improve the environmental quality of the rivers while meeting the water and wastewater needs of the member communities within the constraints of the system. This report and executive summary is a result of the collaboration of the FRWWC Governance and Technical Committees and the consulting team. The scope of this study includes building upon the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) Regional Water and Wastewater Servicing Masterplan (CRP 2014) and recently tendered costs at a “screening level”; establishes Total Cost of Operation (TCO) and Net Present Values (NPV); and considers 10, 25, and 60-year time frames. This study assumes that new Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) high quality (HQ) effluent standards would need to be considered,
Recommended publications
  • Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas
    A NATURE ALBERTA CHECKLIST IMPORTANT AND BIRD BIODIVERSITY AREAS IMPORTANT BIRD OF ALBERTA AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS OF ALBERTA NATURE ALBERTA NATURE Use this Checklist as your guide to explore and discover the fascinating natural history and biodiversity of our province. naturealberta.ca A COMMUNITY CONNECTED BY A LOVE OF NATURE The year was 1970. Six nature clubs came together to form the Federation of Alberta Naturalists. More than four decades later, and now known as Nature Alberta, we are grateful for the clubs, the people and the history that has enabled this organization to become the voice for the greater appreciation and conservation of Alberta’s natural environment. We strive to connect Albertans with the natural world that exists all around us. By encouraging Albertans to learn more about and understand natural history and ecological processes, we help ensure that Alberta’s natural heritage and its biodiversity is widely enjoyed, deeply appreciated and thoroughly protected. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Nature Alberta gratefully acknowledges the many individuals and organizations who have contributed to this project. Special thanks to Rob Worona and Margot Hervieux for contributing their time and expertise to reviewing and editing this publication. Thank you also to all of the volunteer IBA Caretakers, past, present and future, who commit to monitoring and stewarding these important natural areas. This project would also not have been possible without the generous support of our partners, including TD Friends of the Environment and Alberta Conservation Association. Cover photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler, D. Godkin Copyright ©2019 Nature Alberta. All rights reserved. SOURCES Information contained within this Checklist has been compiled from the following and other sources as annotated within the publication: BirdLife IBA Important Bird Area Alberta Guide booklet ©2014 Nature Alberta Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Canada https://www.ibacanada.org/ Bird Life International website and Data Zone http://www.birdlife.org/ Blue-winged Teal Photo: G.
    [Show full text]
  • Artificial Drainage Report.Pdf
    HH3: Souris River Basin Artificial Drainage Impacts Review July 15, 2019 FINAL REPORT Submitted to the International Souris River Study Board by the HH3 Working Group Report prepared by Bob Harrison Executive Summary This project was undertaken as a portion of the Souris River Study. The governments of Canada and the United States asked the IJC to undertake studies evaluating the physical processes occurring within the Souris River basin which are thought to have contributed to recent flooding events. The public expressed a high interest in the issue of agricultural drainage impacts. Thus an “Artificial Drainage Impacts Review” was added to International Souris River Study Board’s (ISRSB) Work Plan to help address their questions and provide information to the public regarding wetland drainage. This report summarizes the current knowledge of artificial drainage in the Souris River basin. The study involved a review of drainage legislation and practices in the basin, the artificial drainage science, the extent of artificial drainage in the basin and the potential influence on transboundary flows Artificial drainage is undertaken to make way for increased or more efficient agricultural production by surface or/and subsurface drainage. Surface drainage moves excess water off fields naturally (i.e., runoff) or by constructed channels. The purpose of using surface drainage is to minimize crop damage from water ponding after a precipitation event, and to control runoff without causing erosion. Subsurface drainage is installed to remove groundwater from the root zone or from low-lying wet areas. Subsurface drainage is typically done through the use of buried pipe drains (e.g., tile drainage).
    [Show full text]
  • Bow River Basin State of the Watershed Summary 2010 Bow River Basin Council Calgary Water Centre Mail Code #333 P.O
    30% SW-COC-002397 Bow River Basin State of the Watershed Summary 2010 Bow River Basin Council Calgary Water Centre Mail Code #333 P.O. Box 2100 Station M Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2M5 Street Address: 625 - 25th Ave S.E. Bow River Basin Council Mark Bennett, B.Sc., MPA Executive Director tel: 403.268.4596 fax: 403.254.6931 email: [email protected] Mike Murray, B.Sc. Program Manager tel: 403.268.4597 fax: 403.268.6931 email: [email protected] www.brbc.ab.ca Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 2 Overview 4 Basin History 6 What is a Watershed? 7 Flora and Fauna 10 State of the Watershed OUR SUB-BASINS 12 Upper Bow River 14 Kananaskis River 16 Ghost River 18 Seebe to Bearspaw 20 Jumpingpound Creek 22 Bearspaw to WID 24 Elbow River 26 Nose Creek 28 WID to Highwood 30 Fish Creek 32 Highwood to Carseland 34 Highwood River 36 Sheep River 38 Carseland to Bassano 40 Bassano to Oldman River CONCLUSION 42 Summary 44 Acknowledgements 1 Overview WELCOME! This State of the Watershed: Summary Booklet OVERVIEW OF THE BOW RIVER BASIN LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK... THE WATER TOWERS was created by the Bow River Basin Council as a companion to The mountainous headwaters of the Bow our new Web-based State of the Watershed (WSOW) tool. This Comprising about 25,000 square kilometres, the Bow River basin The Bow River is approximately 645 kilometres in length. It begins at Bow Lake, at an River basin are often described as the booklet and the WSOW tool is intended to help water managers covers more than 4% of Alberta, and about 23% of the South elevation of 1,920 metres above sea level, then drops 1,180 metres before joining with the water towers of the watershed.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Grebe Surveys in Alberta 2016
    WESTERN GREBE SURVEYS IN ALBERTA 2016 The western grebe has been listed as a Threatened species in Alberta. A recent data compilation shows that there are approximately 250 lakes that have supported western grebes in Alberta. However, information for most lakes is poor and outdate d. Total counts on lakes are rare, breeding status is uncertain, and the location and extent of breeding habitat (emergent vegetation, usually bulrush) is usually unknown. We are seeking your help in gathering more information on western grebe populations in Alberta. If you visit any of the lakes listed below, or know anyone that does, we would appreciate as much detail as you can collect on the presence of western grebes and their habitat. Let us know in advance (if possible) if you are planning on going to any lakes, and when you do, e-mail details of your observations to [email protected]. SURVEY METHODS: Visit a lake between 1 May and 31 August with spotting scope or good binoculars. Surveys can be done from a boat, or vantage point(s) from shore. Report names of surveyors, dates, number of adults seen, and report on the approximate percentage of the lake area that this number represents. Record presence of young birds or nesting colonies, and provide any additional information on presence/location of likely breeding habitat, specific parts of the lake observed, observed threats to birds or habitat (boat traffic, shoreline clearing, pollution, etc.). Please report on findings even if no birds were seen. Lakes on the following page that are flagged with an asterisk (*) were not visited in 2015, and are priority for survey in 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • Frank Lake (North) Important Bird Area Conservation Plan
    FRANK LAKE (NORTH) IMPORTANT BIRD AREA CONSERVATION PLAN Spring 2001 by Barry Himer for the Frank Lake IBA Stakeholders Committee TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................5 Contacts.......................................................................................................................................6 Citation........................................................................................................................................7 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................7 2. IBA PROGRAM .................................................................................................................8 3. IBA SITE INFORMATION ...............................................................................................9 MAP ...................................................................................................................................10 4. IBA SPECIES ACCOUNTS..................................................................................................9 4.1 IBA Bird Species .......................................................................................................................9 4.2 Natural History of Tundra and Trumpeter Swans .......................................................... 9 5. OTHER ELEMENTS OF HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE........................................11 6. LAND
    [Show full text]
  • The Second Report
    The Second Report Watershed Stewardship Grant Program (Spring 2006, Fall 2006, Spring 2007) AENV Grant: #06GREA29 Sarah Hipkin & Kevin Wirtanen Grant Administrators 2006-2008 Alberta Stewardship Network Special thanks to: Alberta Environment Members of the Stewardship Grant Committee: Margaret Glasford, ASN Chair / Past Chair and Grant Committee Chair (all grant cycles) Petra Rowell, Alberta Environment (all) Jeff McCammon, Lac La Nonne Watershed and Lake Stewardship Society (all) Shirley Pickering, Highwood Water Management Plan Public Advisory Committee (all) Ernie Ewaschuk and Sarah Primeau, Land Stewardship Centre of Canada & ASN Secretariat Ken Lewis and Dale Chrapko, Alberta Agriculture and Food /AESA Diana Rung, Alberta Conservation Association (all) Kelsey Spicer-Rawe, Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society (Cows & Fish) (all) Wendy Devent, Stephanie Palechek and Leda Kozak, Oldman Watershed Council Kent Lyle, Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society (Spring 2006) Frank Vagi, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (Fall 2006) Jacqueline Nelson, ASN Chair (2007/8 on) and Foothills Land Trust (Spring 2008) Jodi Miller, Volunteer Steward (Spring 2008) Additional appreciation is extended to the ASN’s other partnering organizations. The delivery of the range of ASN services is dependent on their ongoing support. 2 CONTENTS The Ripple Reaches Further: The Second Report on the Watershed Stewardship Grant Program ..............................................................................6 Highlights Reach .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Abundance of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus Occidentalis) in Alberta: an Update
    Distribution and Abundance of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: An Update Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 160 Distribution and Abundance of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: An Update Prepared for: Alberta Environment and Parks Prepared by: David R. C. Prescott, Jason Unruh, Samantha Morris-Yasinski and Michelle Wells Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 160 January 2018 ISBN: 978-1-4601-3763-5 (Online Edition) ISSN: 1496-7146 (Online Edition) Cover Photo: Dave Prescott For copies of this report, contact: Information Centre – Publications Alberta Environment and Parks Main Floor, Great West Life Building 9920 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2M4 Telephone: (780) 422-2079 OR Visit our website at: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/species-at-risk/species-at-risk-publications-web-resources/ This publication has been released under the Open Government Licence: https://open.alberta.ca/licence. This publication may be cited as: Prescott, D. R. C., J. Unruh, S. Morris-Yasinski and M. Wells. 2018. Distribution and Abundance of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: An Update. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 160, Edmonton, AB. 23 pp. ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) was listed as a Threatened species in Alberta in 2014. This listing was based on an updated provincial status report (AESRD and ACA 2013), in which 80 lakes were reported to have supported western grebes during the breeding season in the province. Since that time, new sources of data have become available. In this report, we update the known distribution of the western grebe in Alberta using these additional sources and observations.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Jay, Vol.31, Issue 3
    BREEDING RECORDS “Sl t ^ Of 19 Species Of Birds In Southern Alberta by NORBERT G. KONDLA and HAROLD W. PINEL* >■ * !• Cl )|(t'T Salt and Wilk state “ . there are Frank Lake. The Namaka Lake colony arge gaps in our present knowledge and has been active since at least 1965. arge areas of the province still to be ex- Pied-billed Grebe. Until recently this >lored ornithologically.”4 The purpose bird was unknown as a breeding species >f this article is to provide additional 'in. j in southwestern Alberta. Since 1965, nformation on the breeding status of ’reslj nesting has been documented at Dewin- ertain birds in southern Alberta, ton, Kangienos Lake, Standard, Nor¬ adi specially the area near Calgary. Table 1 man Lake, 20 miles west of Calgary, 8 >rovides details of nesting observations, miles east of Airdrie, Cochrane, and he letters CFNS refer to observation Reesor Lake (Cypress Hills). Birds have orms of the Calgary Field Naturalists also been seen during the breeding Society and the letters PNRS refer to season at Elkwater Lake (Cypress Hills), ards on file with the Prairie Nest : near Chestermere Lake, Priddis, near Records Scheme. We extend our sincere Ghost Lake, Calgary, and Conrich. lanks to observers who have filed data Smith and Wershler reported breeding vith these organizations. Special thanks at Vermilion Lakes and near Turner o to H. W. R. Copland for providing Valley.5 le opportunity to use the files of the rairie Nest Records Scheme and to R. Double-crested Cormorant. A new Fyfe and R. W. Nero for their colony was established on an island at aluable criticisms of the paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix F Southern Diversion Scheme
    AECOM Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force Appendix F – Southern Diversion Scheme Appendix F Southern Diversion Scheme RPT2-2014-07-09-App_F_Highwood_River_Southern_Diversion.Docx AECOM Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force Appendix F – Southern Diversion Scheme Table of Contents page Sign-Off 1. Background ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Existing Water Courses ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Existing Reservoirs .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2.1 Twin Valley Reservoir ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2.2 Travers Reservoir ................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.3 Women’s Coulee .................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 History of Flooding ............................................................................................................................... 3 2. Objective .......................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Alternatives ....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Frank Lake, Alberta, Canada) Zhu, Dongnan Master Thesis
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2017 Wastewater treatment assessment in a flooded wetland using water and mass balances (Frank Lake, Alberta, Canada) zhu, dongnan http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3791 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Wastewater treatment assessment in a flooded wetland using water and mass balances (Frank Lake, Alberta, Canada) by Dongnan Zhu A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CALGARY, ALBERTA APRIL, 2017 © Dongnan Zhu 2017 Abstract Wetlands are increasingly used to treat wastewater for small municipalities and industries. The evaluation of wetland treatment efficiency typically involves comparing solute inflow and outflow concentrations, or investigating the export of nutrients per unit wetland area. A more holistic approach, which included seasonal changes in water quality and solute mass balances, yielded improved understanding about where nutrients are being stored in a wetland, the long-term treatment capabilities, and downstream impacts on water quality. The study area is Frank Lake (FL), a wetland complex in southern Alberta, Canada, which has received municipal and slaughterhouse wastewater since 1989.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Jay, Vol.53, Issue 3
    FRANK LAKE — IT’S MORE THAN DUCKS TOM SADLER, 201E Pine Road, Strathmore, AB. TIP 1C1, CLIFF WALLIS, 615 Deercroft Way SE, Calgary, AB. T2J 5V4 and CLEVE WERSHLER, 70 Deerpath Rd. SE, Calgary, AB. T2J 6K8 Wetlands are among the most pro¬ ing landscape have been extensively ductive ecosystems on the planet, modified for decades by human ac¬ and are the most biologically diverse tivities. The Frank Lake area is a of the temperate zone ecosystems. DU/Alberta Prairie Care project site Canadian wetlands support over 300 that has recently been restored and species of birds and 70 species of that has been selected for the imple¬ mammals as well as several species mentation of several projects under of reptiles. Wetlands are also essen¬ the More Than Ducks program. tial for the survival of all our amphibi¬ ans and contain a myriad of inverte¬ History of Frank Lake brates, micro-organisms and native plant life. Because of the importance Frank Lake has had a history of of wetlands and the myriad of threats widely fluctuating water levels that facing them, Ducks Unlimited Can¬ have severely diminished its produc¬ ada’s (DU) projects have focused on tivity. In recent decades, the lake has wetland development and protection. varied in size from over 3,800 acres Many DU projects also incorporate in the 1950s to being completely dry areas of productive upland habitat. In in the 1930s, mid-1940s, and from addition to their importance for wa¬ 1983 to 1989. DU first looked at the terfowl production, both wetland and possibility of diverting water to Frank upland sites are very important for Lake from the Highwood River in conserving a broader range of bio¬ 1946 but the scale of such a project diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • North American Birds Alberta Report Fall 2016 August – November
    North American Birds Alberta Report Fall 2016 August – November PLEASE NOTE: 1) Many records in this report are awaiting adjudication by the Alberta Bird Records Committee. These records are not confirmed until accepted by the ABRC. 2) A couple records were included in this report as they may interest the Alberta birding community but are not considered rare. 3) To submit bird records or to contact the Alberta North American Birds Committee, please email James Fox at [email protected] or call/text 780-999-0642. Over 600,000 hectares of wild land burned in Alberta this year, almost twice the five-year average. In northeastern Alberta, temperatures in the fall were very mild, with several straight weeks of clear skies in the migratory period. There were some late migrants, but migration went quickly and seemed difficult to observe because of a lack of fallout events. Willow Ptarmigan arrived in late fall, pushing down from the NWT. There were decent numbers of Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks, but relatively few Evening Grosbeaks this year. August was a wet month for much of the province. The town of Westlock was inundated by rain water, and residents were seen canoeing in a parking lot. Edmonton and Calgary both suffered flash flooding multiple times. The Rockies experienced a massive snow storm (up to 30 cm) in September, but the snow didn’t last long. Most of Alberta still didn’t have much snow cover right into December. Central Alberta experienced one of the coldest Octobers in decades, followed by a mild and above average November.
    [Show full text]