For the last few years, residents became accustomed at looking to the river to see how high the water is. This year they are looking to see how low it can go.
Currently, a walk along the Red Deer River reveals islands poking out and expanded banks. By the numbers, Jason Penner, public affairs officer for Alberta Environment and Parks, says the current flow is far below average.
“(It)… appears to be approaching levels that have not been observed since data records that began in 1960. Historical average flow of the Red Deer River at Drumheller is about 76 cubic meter per second (m³/s) in May and 120 m³/s in June,” he says. “In 2015, the average flow recorded at Drumheller was about 29 m³/s in May and has been around 23 m³/s so far in June (first ten days).”
Despite this, he says the recorded flow is still above the historical minimum flow recorded at Drumheller at this time of year. He says mountain and foothills runoff from the headwaters of the Red Deer River is virtually complete. This year the snow pack was also below average.
“Based on the low snow pack and the very dry spring to date, the Water Supply Outlook issued by Environment and Parks is projecting “much below average” flow condition for June to September of 2015 based on current trends,” said Penner. “June can also be a time of major rainfall events, which would provide additional moisture and runoff to rivers; however, these cannot be predicted.”
Some of the concerns with low water, natural or regulated, include stresses on fish, heating and loss of habitat.
“There have been no reports to, or observations by, our regional fisheries staff related to the recent low flows in the Red Deer River,” he said.
Operators at the Dickson Dam are in the process of making sure there is enough water to sustain the river through the rest of the season.
“At this time of year the upstream Dickson Dam (Glennifer Lake) will be operating to store the mountain runoff in order that water can be supplied more consistently later through the year in response to demands, as well as provide sustaining flows for environmental needs," he said. “In dry years like this one, the amount they need to store is balanced between saving enough for later use and enough water in the river downstream to meet minimum instream flows.”
