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Watershed News and Views Spring 2021
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Clearing up Carbon Confusion
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It’s hard to make it through the daily news cycle without hearing some mention of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its relationship to climate change. It’s also hard to keep up with the latest strategies, technologies, and techniques involved in measuring, mitigating or removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon-neutral? Net-zero? Biologic versus geologic carbon sequestration? Perhaps we can clear up a little confusion with a bit of a plain language primer about carbon dioxide, and climate change in general.
Read our latest article to learn more ...
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SEAWA will hold their 14th Annual General Meeting on July 8, 2021, 1-3 pm via Zoom. The AGM will be immediately followed by a board meeting from 3-4 pm.
There are 12 open board seats for election:
- Industry - 1;
- Licensee - irrigators - 1; Licensee - non-irrigator 1;
- Municipal Government - Rural - 1;
- Municipal Government - Urban - 2;
- Federal Government - 1;
- Provincial Government (AAF & AEP) - 2;
- Outdoor Recreation & Eco-Tourism - 1;
- Environmental Non-Government Organization - 1;
- Educational Institution - 1.
If you wish to run for a seat on the board, you must be a member (Membership Form) and a member must nominate you (Nomination Form 2021).
Please read the Board of Directors Terms of Reference. All members are encouraged to participate. Please register at: executive@seawa.ca, facebook messenger Seawa Watershed, or leave a message at 403-580-8980. A Zoom link will be provided in a separate announcement.
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SEAWA will celebrate Environment Week on June 5, 8:30 am-11:30 am, at Connaught Pond, Medicine Hat, with a discussion about the ecology of native shrubs, poplars, beavers, and invasive plants. Final announcements and details will be distributed via SEAWA facebook and through direct emails to boards and committees.
SEAWA will hold a Field Day on July 24, 8 am-11:30 am, at Seven Persons Creek, TWP Rd. 104. Activities will include leafy spurge control and riparian area re-vegetation with native shrubs and trees. Register by email or through SEAWA facebook messenger.
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SEAWA welcomes motivated volunteers to participate in our committees, outdoor events, and restoration field work. Get valuable experience and fresh air with SEAWA! We are always looking for a few volunteers - learn more on our website.
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Water Quality of Seven Persons Creek
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Natasha Rogers collecting water samples from Seven Persons Creek. Photo credit: Seline Solis.
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Written by Marilou Montemayor.
The final report for the analysis of water quality in Seven Persons Creek has been completed and is available in full on the SEAWA website! The data has also been included on DataStream, a data-sharing platform for water quality information. Here is the report abstract:
Water quality of Seven Persons Creek at two riparian restoration sites was assessed to provide baseline information, identify water quality issues, and for educational purposes. At the Saamis Archaeological Site (SAS), City of Medicine Hat, there were two water sampling locations, upstream and downstream, 1.25 km apart. A third location was adjacent to a private agricultural land 61 km upstream of the two SAS locations. The SAS is a recreational trail park and was used as an off-leash dog park at the time of the study. Upstream of the SAS are two riparian golf courses, and within SAS are two draws utilized for storm water conveyance into the creek. Land use in the watershed is predominantly agriculture. Water samples were collected from the two SAS locations on 4 Apr, 20 Jun, and 8 Aug 2018, and field measurements were also taken on 4 Apr. The private land location was sampled on 29 May, 16 Jul and 13 Aug 2018. Samples were sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results were compared with provincial guidelines for surface waters or literature. For all locations, key water quality issues in the creek were bacteria and nutrients (nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)). Except for bacteria and pH, highest values of water quality variables occurred at the start of the snow melt in April. At the SAS, there were differences in water quality between locations depending on the season and a number of variables.
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E.coli was above provincial water quality guideline value (red dotted line) for irrigation of crops to be eaten raw, at Saamis site except the June samples.
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What is a draw and why are they important?
Written by Marilou Montemayor.
According to the US National Soil Survey Handbook, a draw is "a small, natural watercourse cut in unconsolidated materials, generally more open with a broader floor and more gently sloping sides than an arroyo, ravine or gulch, and whose present stream channel may appear inadequate to have cut the drainageway that it occupies". Why are draws important? A few draws that are being used to convey stormwater from developed areas into the creek might have influenced water quality of the creek at the Saamis Archeological location downstream.
A Google Earth map showing the location of these draws is found in the above report. Draws are very important in providing pockets of dense natural vegetation and habitats within the vast open semi-arid grassland ecosystem of southeastern Alberta. Woody vegetation - trees and shrubs - require more soil moisture than is available in the open grasslands as well as protection from drying winds. In addition to riparian areas, topographical features such as draws, ravines, hill bottoms, leeward sides of hills, north-facing slopes, depressions, and spring seeps, are favourable sites that can support woody vegetation. These features dot the open grassland ecosystem. They must be conserved for their ecological importance in the maintenance of biodiversity.
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SEAWA staff, directors of the board, and members of Grasslands Naturalists checking the condition of a draw at Saamis Archeological Site, 15 April 2021. Photo credit: Ben White.
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Where does Seven Persons Creek begin?
Written by Marilou Montemayor.
On April 30, one of the first few warm spring days (26 degrees!), SEAWA and St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) staff went to check out a potential site for planting a few hundred trees near the shore of Murray Lake. The project is dependent upon a successful grant application by the collaborative effort of Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs).
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Marilou Montemayor (SEAWA) with Paul Fontaine and Jacey Hughes (SMRID) at Murray Lake.
Photo credit: Ben White.
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SMRID has recently started an ecological initiative of claiming back reservoir rights-of-way from grazing leases and reserving them as wildlife habitats. Riparian areas are wide, and the habitats that develop include shoreline wetlands and uplands of native shrubs and trees, forbs, and grasses. Fencing-off cattle is key and it physically defines the right-of-way boundary. Invasive plants are to be monitored and controlled. This initiative provides many environmental benefits beyond creating wildlife habitat: conserving biodiversity, and contributing to carbon emission reduction through the use of native shrubs, trees, and grasses as carbon sinks. This is an example of a nature-based solution to world-wide concerns of climate change. SEAWA staff stopped by a spot where they could view the dam from where diversion structures split the flow between the irrigation canal and the Seven Persons Creek. If you are intrigued as to where the creek started before there was a dam, the information is provided in the water quality report above.
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Seven Persons Creek starts at the Murray Lake dam. Photo Credit: Ben White.
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Don't forget!
Have you checked out SEAWA's new website? We're quite proud of it!
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Hello to our Summer Staff!
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SEAWA is happy to welcome some new (and not-so-new) summer field staff. Newcomer Ian Mahon is joining us from Calgary to learn about riparian habitat restoration, and Alexi Nelson is returning for another year. We look forward to a busy summer with the team.
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Welcome lunch for SEAWA summer staff, Connaught Pond, Medicine Hat.
Photo credit: Martha Munz Gue.
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Ian Mahon - Riparian Restoration Assistant
Ian grew up in Calgary and has spent a fair amount of time in southern Alberta. A love of the outdoors from his time in Scouts and an interest in science led him to pursue an education in Ecosystem Management from Lethbridge College. Ian’s work background includes student jobs with Parks Canada, and several maintenance and landscaping jobs.
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Alexi Nelson - Riparian Restoration and Research Assistant
Alexi recently completed her Bachelor of Applied Science in Ecosystem Management at Lethbridge College. She has lived in Medicine Hat for most of her life and developed a strong interest in grassland conservation and restoration through her previous field experience. She looks forward to gaining more experience in riparian restoration techniques and assisting in research on riparian vegetation management. Alexi is excited to be involved in improving the health of riparian habitat while connecting and working with the community.
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Water Quality Report Now Available!
SEAWA’s report on the water quality of Seven Persons Creek is now available on our website and via the Lake Winnipeg Datastream portal.
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Redcliff Girl Guide Rangers and SEAWA Executive Director Marilou Montemayor pose with a pile of cut Russian olive saplings at Leinweber Pond, Medicine Hat. Photo credit: Ben White.
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Outdoor Education and Outreach
Written by Ben White.
Despite COVID, SEAWA is glad to have been able to organize two volunteer events this spring. Our World Water Day cleanup in March and our Earth Day cleanup in April were both very successful!
On March 20th, SEAWA staff and 30 volunteers took care of six different water bodies by picking up trash and dealing with the early signs of some invasive species. Connaught Pond, two storm ponds, Seven Persons Creek, Marlborough Coulee, and the South Saskatchewan River at Redcliff were the targets for this event. March is a great time for events like this as trash is clearly visible among naked branches of shrubs and trees in riparian areas.
On April 24th, SEAWA again called on volunteers to help with keeping local water bodies clean. A group returned to one of the ponds from the March cleanup, a storm pond behind Canadian Tire in Medicine Hat, and picked up trash that had accumulated over the month. At the same time, a group worked on cutting down Russian olive saplings at Leinweber pond in the Crestwood neighborhood. In total, 25 volunteers participated, completely clearing the areas of trash and Russian olive saplings. Among the volunteers were SEAWA board members, members of Grasslands Naturalists, and a small group of Girl Guide Rangers from Redcliff!
SEAWA is glad to be able to continue hosting community outreach events such as these during the pandemic. Outdoor activities are great for the health of participants and provide a wonderful opportunity to keep the community clean. Our next SEAWA event is currently planned to take place during World Environment Week in June. Follow us on Facebook to keep updated on upcoming SEAWA events!
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Russian olive: a local weed that must be controlled
Written by Marilou Montemayor and Ben White.
Russian olive trees, admired for their beauty and hardiness, have become ubiquitous around Medicine Hat and surrounding areas. They form thickets on stream banks, around ponds, and along drainage ditches. They are also found in coulees, natural areas, gardens, and wherever else they have an opportunity to grow. Originally from Europe and western Asia, Russian olive trees were introduced to the prairies for shelterbelt and ornamental planting. They are very prolific in producing fruits with seeds that are easily dispersed by birds. They can tolerate salinity and alkalinity, and grow in dry climate, characteristics of southern or southeastern Alberta and the broader grassland ecosystem. In southern Alberta, in addition to favourable climate and soil, there are very few pests or diseases that would hinder their growth and spread.
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Russian olive grows anywhere and everywhere much like any other weed. Landowners and homeowners should be vigilant and dig them out at soon as they are spotted.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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As with any invasive species, the spread of Russian olive comes with adverse ecological impacts. These trees have the potential to (or have already) become the dominant vegetation in some locations, choking out or completely replacing native plants. Russian olive trees deprive native plants of space, sunlight, nutrients, and water, thereby slowing their growth and fruiting and eventually replacing them. They are particularly problematic in riparian areas (the lands directly adjacent to waterbodies) that provide habitat for many species of birds and other wildlife. The invasive traits of Russian olive are a disadvantage for native trees such as cottonwoods, and the wildlife that rely on them. For example, beavers prefer cottonwoods for food and construction materials and will avoid Russian olive when they can. Deer prefer to browse cottonwoods instead of the thorny Russian olive. Deer cannot rub on the tangle of thorny thickets of young Russian olive trees, a disruption of its method to attract a mate.
Russian olive leaves also contain much more nitrogen than most native species, contributing to nutrient loading of water bodies when many Russian olives grow nearby. Waterbodies in the prairies usually have more than sufficient nutrients. Any additional nutrient can result in poor water quality impacting fish and other aquatic organisms. Russian olive leaves do not decompose easily and this debris settles and accumulates in pond bottoms impacting fish habitat. In urban areas where Russian olive trees have grown along streets or road sides, fruits and leaves accumulate in street gutters. Snow melt and rain carry them through the stormwater grates and into their network, eventually discharging into a stream and seeding its riparian areas.
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Russian olive trees are impacting our open native grassland ecosystem by replacing silver sagebrush and other native shrubs and trees. Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Russian olive tree invasion is a serious threat to the semi-arid open grassland ecosystem. The grassland community of grasses, various kinds of sagebrush, and patches of native shrubs where landforms allow the accumulation and conservation of limited snow and rain is being disrupted or replaced by thickets of Russian olive trees. The open grassland is home to several plants and animals that have been listed as species-at-risk, endangered, or threatened. These include the burrowing owl, Ord’s kangaroo rat, tiny cryptanthe, and several more.
The aggressive spread of Russian olive trees must be controlled to prevent further spread and ecological damage. This should be done by asking people not to plant this tree, actively working to reduce the population through removal of seedlings and young trees, and the gradual removal of mature trees. An effective simple method of control is the physical removal of seedlings and young trees by digging out their roots using a garden shovel. Mature trees removal should be done by professional tree removers. A gradual eradication program accompanied by simultaneous planting of native shrubs and trees is encouraged. It is also recommended that no further planting of Russian olive should take place, and alternative species should be planted.
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In April 2018, we conducted an experiment on different methods to control Russian olive saplings (average height 99 cm and diameter at the base 2 cm). There were five treatments (T) and three replicates (R) per treatment. In August 2019 and 2020 we recorded data on plant height, stem diameter, and number of stems to determine the effectiveness of treatments. Results of plant height are shown in the graph below. The graph shows that by August 2019, the physical extraction method was as effective (no regrowth) as the cutting with the application of two herbicides method. Therefore, the physical extraction method is recommended for community volunteer participation in the control of Russian olive weed. Herbicide application can only be done by certified applicators.
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Stump regrowth from cut-only method. It is evident that very young shoots (no thorns yet) have been browsed. Scale: label is an index card 3x5 inches. Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Russian olive saplings (less than 2 inches or 5 cm diameter) can be extracted using an extractigator or the common shovel or spade; both are effective. The extractigator was originally designed for another invasive with the common name of European buckthorn.
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Gerry Elhert and John Slater, from Grasslands Naturalists, demonstrated the use of different tools to uproot invasive Russian olive saplings. Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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If you have considered Russian olive for planting in your yard or garden, there are several beautiful native species that could be planted instead. Wolf willow and thorny buffalo are both in the same family as Russian olive and have some similar traits. Wolf willow has similar silvery leaves and fruits, and thorny buffalo is a beautiful large shrub that attracts birds. Other shrubs include golden currant, Saskatoon, chokecherry, and red osier dogwood. Trees such as cottonwoods, green ash, and Manitoba maple are also excellent alternatives. Willow trees are good additions, as well as evergreens such as white spruce and junipers.
If you’d like to learn more about the dangers of Russian olive, and how to prevent its spread, visit our website to read about invasive plant management.
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The Benefits of Native Shrubs
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Golden currants bloom in the spring, earlier than most native shrubs. Photo taken at Connaught Pond, Medicine Hat.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Golden Currants for Ecosystem Health
Written by Marilou Montemayor.
Golden currant, a native shrub found throughout southeastern Alberta, is an excellent plant for riparian restoration, ground cover to stabilize landscape disturbances, windbreaks, and for overall watershed protection. Its extensive root system, bushy growth, and ease of vegetative propagation are characteristics that make them suitable for these practical uses. In natural areas they are part of the broader community of shrubs and trees of the grassland ecosystem in areas where soil moisture is available - riparian areas, topographic draws, ravines, gullies, and leeward sides or north-facing slopes of hills. In the context of climate change, long-lived plants sequester and store carbon. In our semi-arid grassland ecosystem these plants include grasses - especially native grasses on rangelands or grazing lands, and woody vegetation (shrubs and trees).
Detailed plant information about golden currant is available here: Golden currant (Ribes aureum) Plant Fact Sheet. In addition, golden currants provide food and habitat for birds and many other wildlife, and in riparian areas, fish. Their yellow spring flowers are attractive and fragrant and are the one of the earliest spring blooms for bees. Their dark purple fruits are edible and there is information on their nutritional as well as antioxidant benefits. Let’s plant golden currants! Enjoy their flowers in the spring and fruits in late summer.
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Ripe golden currant fruits at SEAWA riparian restoration Yeast site.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Grasslands Naturalists "Wednesday Walkers" admiring their work near Southlands Meadows pond.
Photo credit: Martha Munz Gue.
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Submitted by Martha Munz Gue.
Loving the ponds! What better way to celebrate than to take a walk around one of the many ponds in and around Medicine Hat and area? (And perhaps adopt one of them?) Those who adopt a pond agree to do four simple things:
1. Walk around the pond every week or two, learn its lessons, and give it some love (hum a tune, meditate, write a poem, sing, dance, do chi gong, paint a picture... (whatever gives you and the pond joy!)
2. Pick up trash.
3. Report invasive plants on the EDDMaps (Alberta) app (we will help with that).
4. Invite one or two others to do the same.
We are now in the formative phase of the project: welcoming volunteers and settling into the routine of loving the ponds on almost-weekly visits. The first pond was adopted on March 8, 2021. The official launch of the Adopt-a-Pond initiative was at SEAWA's World Water Day cleanup event at Connaught Pond. By Earth Day (April 22, 2021) eighteen ponds and riparian stretches had been visited two or three times by over twice as many volunteers who picked up the winter's accumulation of trash. A BIG THANK YOU to ALL who have made the Adopt-a-Pond initiative a huge success!
I’m tickled pink that once the ponds are adopted, good will flow both ways in perpetuity, as long as the participants continue to do the #4 of their list. The project has huge potential benefits for both the environment and the participants; is very light on administration; and it costs nothing! The initiative is a collaborative effort between Grasslands Naturalists and SEAWA, in consultation with the City of Medicine Hat. It is entirely accomplished with volunteer enthusiasm. SEAWA Executive Director Marilou Montemayor is to be thanked for her support and participation in this community initiative!
Twenty ponds have been identified. Households are encouraged to adopt a pond that is close to where they live, work, or play (to reduce the CO2 emitted in getting there). It's OK if more than one household adopts the same pond; the pond will love the attention! On the other hand it will be nice to have most of the ponds adopted, so it is a balance. Three ponds are yet to be adopted, all south of the highway: Stormwater Pond on Somerside Road SE (behind Canadian Tire), Stormwater Pond along Somerset Street SE, and Southridge Community Pond. When a group adopts a pond, at least four (hopefully more) of their members should agree to visit the area every week or two. They can go at their own best time or agree to do different parts of the same pond all on the same day, or whatever works best for the participants. Groups that have adopted a pond or riparian stretch are all different: the Skateboarders Club (Kin Coulee), Unity Lutheran Youth (Northlands pond), the Archaeological Society (Saamis stretch of the Creek), and the Council of Canadians (natural pond near 7th Street and 23 Avenue NE).
The initiative is spilling over onto the riparian areas next to the creek and the river. SEAWA has adopted the riparian areas along the Creek, having already completed a riparian health assessment of the entire Seven Persons Creek. Some members of SEAWA board and committees have adopted specific reaches of the creek; thank you Chair Ryan Davison and committee members Terry and Rob Lawson! Two stretches of the creek are still awaiting SEAWA volunteers. Any pond or riparian area can have several adopters. The areas will enjoy the attention and love. If you want to adopt a pond outside of Medicine Hat, or a coulee trail that is near where you live or work, that's okay too, now that most ponds have been adopted. If you are interested in participating, please email executive@seawa.ca or contact us through facebook messenger.
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From our Friends and Partners
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Native Grassland Stewardship
Cows and Fish is interested in supporting more projects using federal SARPAL (Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Landscapes) funding
Submitted by Norine Ambrose, Cows and Fish
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As someone who works for a stewardship organization, I like to think of myself as someone who supports others as they care for the land. I rely upon others taking information I offer, molding the ideas, and applying them to their own farm or ranch to better support wildlife and create more stable, abundant forage. I have seen countless examples of amazing stewardship—committed landowners ensuring the health of their land, while also making their agricultural operation successful. Often, these are ranchers or farmers that have kept their lands healthy with thoughtful management, spanning generations. At other times, maybe they noticed something from their childhood memories has gone missing—perhaps the meadow lark song in spring, or the fish they used to catch in a favourite spot—and they are working to help bring that back.
These voluntary, proactive measures to benefit rangeland and riparian areas (those moist areas next to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands) mean healthier, more productive pastures, while also benefiting wildlife in need of support—like sage grouse. In addition to looking at grazing management, other simple techniques can have multiple benefits: portable off-site watering systems create flexibility and increase weight gain, visibility reflectors on fence lines reduce wildlife collisions and fence repair costs, and portable electric fencing helps landowners protect sensitive areas and aid in cattle distribution where permanent fencing may not be feasible. Lyndon Haugan, who ranches near Manyberries, says his portable fencers have “allowed me to protect wildlife habitat and other sensitive areas on my ranch, and improve my cattle operation”.
We focus on riparian areas and grazing at Cows and Fish, so we rely on partnerships to offer the best support to landowners on other aspects of management. In southern Alberta, MULTISAR (a partnership between Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Conservation Association, and Prairie Conservation Forum) focusses on conserving species at risk in Alberta’s native grasslands. Their expertise in range health, wildlife, and grazing management that benefits species at risk complements our focus on riparian areas. Together, we are working with agricultural producers to support stewardship in critical habitat for greater sage grouse in southeastern Alberta.
We are looking to support more projects that have mutual benefits using federal SARPAL (Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Landscapes) funding secured by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Contact us: Emily Purvis, Riparian Range Specialist, 403-635-9013, epurvis@cowsandfish.org; Adam Moltzahn, Wildlife biologist, Alberta Conservation Association, 403-795-8926, adam.moltzahn@ab-conservation.com
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Easy to use, portable electric fencer creating temporary cattle exclusion in sensitive habitat.
Photo credit: Dusty Pearson, rancher.
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May Water Supply Outlook
Alberta Environment and Parks recently released the May Water Supply Outlook on the Alberta Rivers website. The report can be viewed by going to the site and selecting the Water Supply tab.
Alberta Rivers is also available as a mobile app. Now you can view information from rivers.alberta.ca more easily from your phone or tablet. Download the app here.
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Bow River Reservoir Options Initiative
Alberta Environment and Parks is beginning engagement for Phase 2 of the Bow River Reservoir Options initiative, which aims to explore the possibility of expanded water storage within the Bow River basin. More information is available here.
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Land Stewardship Centre: Green Acreages Program
Land Stewardship Centre has available funding for landowners who want to implement stewardship practices on their property. Funding is through their Green Acreages Program. More information is available here.
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Got something to say? Have an event you'd like us to share with our members?
Do you have a story you'd like to tell? Are you hosting a watershed-inspired event? Want to share it with over 600 like-minded individuals? Let us know! We're always looking for topics that might interest our members.
executive@seawa.ca
403-580-8980
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SEAWA acknowledges that their office and the majority of their work and watershed are located in the lands of Treaty 7 and MNA Region 3.
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