Oldman River’s low water levels adding stress to ecosystem: experts
Global News
Professor Stefan Kienzle added the biggest threat facing southern Alberta's weather and climate is a multi-year drought.
As Autumn wanes on, those walking past the Oldman River in Lethbridge may have noticed the water isn’t as plentiful as it usually is.
According to experts, the province’s hot and dry summer is partially to blame.
“The current condition in the Oldman River is that it is lower than normal, but it’s not very low yet,” explained Stefan Kienzle.
Kienzle, a professor in the geography and environment department at the University of Lethbridge, is a hydrologist who does work on how climate change impacts water resources.
“The problem that we’ll see of course — and we have experienced this especially this year — when you remember the polar vortex in the late winter, and then of course followed by the heat dome that we all suffered from, it’s this really really strong variation of weather events that will put stress on the ecosystem,” he said.
He added the biggest threat facing southern Alberta’s weather and climate is a multi-year drought.
When it comes to the species living in and around the water, the low water levels aren’t going unnoticed.
Norine Ambrose, the executive director with the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society (Cows and Fish), said while the current levels of the river aren’t unheard of, they are cause for concern.
