COLD LAKE–BEAVER RIVER SURFACE WATER QUANTITY AND AQUATIC RESOURCES STATE OF THE BASIN REPORT In partnership with Lakeland Industry and Community Association and the Cold Lake−Beaver River Basin Advisory Committee February 1, 2006 ISBN: 0-7785-4563-6 (Printed) ISBN: 0-7785-4564-4 (On-line) Pub No. T/846 For additional copies, please contact: Alberta Environment Information Centre Main Floor, 9820 – 106 Street Edmonton, Alberta Canada T5K 2L6 Tel: 780-427-2700 (dial 310-0000 first for toll free) Email: [email protected] ©2006, Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Environment. Cold Lake–Beaver River Basin Surface Water Quantity and Aquatic Resources State of the Basin Report, 2006 2 Table of Contents SECTION 1. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION.................................................................5 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Need for The Plan Update ......................................................................................... 6 1.3 Purpose of The Plan Update ..................................................................................... 6 1.4 Planning Area ............................................................................................................ 7 1.5 Plan Update Goals and Objectives............................................................................ 7 1.6 Overview of Issues and Conditions ........................................................................... 8 1.7 Organization of Technical Studies ........................................................................... 10 1.8 Report Focus ........................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 2. OVERVIEW OF THE BASIN....................................................................12 2.1 Physical Setting ....................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Overview of Basin Water Resources ....................................................................... 13 2.3 Basin Allocations and Comparison to Other Alberta River Basins .......................... 18 2.4 Climate and Recent Regional Hydrological Trends ................................................. 19 SECTION 3. LAKE WATER BALANCES......................................................................23 3.1 Overview of Regional Hydrologic Regime ............................................................... 23 3.2 Lake Water Balance Models.................................................................................... 30 3.3 Moose Lake Water Balance Results........................................................................ 34 3.4 Muriel Lake Water Balance Results......................................................................... 36 3.5 Marie Lake Water Balance Results ......................................................................... 38 3.6 Cold Lake Water Balance Results ........................................................................... 40 3.7 Key Findings ............................................................................................................ 42 SECTION 4. WATER ALLOCATIONS AND USES ......................................................43 4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 43 4.2 Water Allocations..................................................................................................... 43 4.3 Actual Water Use..................................................................................................... 49 4.4 Key Findings ............................................................................................................ 54 SECTION 5. MUNICIPAL, AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CONSERVATION...........................................................................................................55 5.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 55 5.2 Water for Life and Water Conservation ................................................................... 55 5.3 Municipal Water Conservation................................................................................. 56 5.4 Agricultural Water Conservation .............................................................................. 62 5.5 Oil/Gas Industry Water Use and Conservation........................................................ 68 SECTION 6. FISH AND FISH HABITAT.......................................................................77 6.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 77 6.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................... 77 6.3 Overview of the Fisheries ........................................................................................ 77 6.4 Fisheries Management ............................................................................................ 78 6.5 Water Body Summaries........................................................................................... 83 Cold Lake–Beaver River Basin Surface Water Quantity and Aquatic Resources State of the Basin Report, 2006 3 6.6 Key Points.............................................................................................................. 103 SECTION 7. WATER-BASED WILDLIFE ASSESSMENT .........................................104 7.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 104 7.2 Methods................................................................................................................. 105 7.3 Lakes and Birds..................................................................................................... 106 7.4 Results................................................................................................................... 109 7.5 Key Points.............................................................................................................. 112 SECTION 8. RECREATION ASSESSMENT..............................................................114 8.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 114 8.2 Recreation Activities in Study Area........................................................................ 114 8.3 Lake Recreation Descriptions................................................................................ 116 8.4 Other Lakes ........................................................................................................... 132 8.5 River Systems........................................................................................................ 137 8.6 Winter Recreation .................................................................................................. 138 8.7 Key Points.............................................................................................................. 138 APPENDIX A. LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES...................................140 APPENDIX B. RELATED TERMINOLOGY AND ACRONYMS...................................147 APPENDIX C. BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................153 APPENDIX D. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ..........................154 Cold Lake–Beaver River Basin Surface Water Quantity and Aquatic Resources State of the Basin Report, 2006 4 SECTION 1. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION 1.1 INTRODUCTION This report is one of four State of the Basin reports described below. Each report gives specific information to provide a snapshot that illustrates the current condition of the Cold Lake–Beaver River (CLBR) Basin. The reports contain inventory and assessment information related to surface and groundwater quantity, quality and aquatic resources of the basin. Also identified are the management tools that are currently available to address water issues in the basin. In addition to providing background information and a knowledge base for the CLBR plan, the reports update information in the 1985 planning documents. Developing the State of the Basin reports was a collaborative team effort using expertise from Alberta Environment, Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation and Administration, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA). The four State of the Basin reports prepared for the CLBR Basin Plan Update are as follows: ► Surface Water Quantity and Aquatic Resources State of the Basin Report: This document contains an overview of regional hydrology, lake-based water balance studies, an assessment of current and historical surface water allocation and uses, and best management practices for municipal, agricultural and industry water conservation. The report also contains an assessment and update of fish and fish habitat, wildlife and recreation in the basin. ► Groundwater Quantity and Brackish Water State of the Basin Report: This document contains an assessment of fresh and brackish groundwater uses, groundwater/surface water interactions, and the geological/hydrogeological framework of the basin. ► Groundwater