Low Water Levels

[Lowrance Fishburn]

So I have been talking with a few people who have witnessed the significant drop in water levels on most, if not all, Alberta lakes this spring. This is troubling for a number of reasons including being able to launch your boat and of course fishing.

This is quite concerning as last year the water levels were already very low compared to years past. At what point does this begin to seriously affect the fishery? I heard it is supposed to be a very dry summer as well so no real help on the way as far as rain goes. Boy, I never thought I would be hoping for rain but all things considered a couple of weeks of really solid pouring wouldn't be such a bad thing. Is there any way to combat this issue? Thoughts?

[Jamie Black R/T]

seen it before and we will come out of it...a heavy snow winter and bunch of spring rain and the levels can sure come back up quick.

nothing can be done. Just wait it out.

I dont even see myself pulling the lund out this summer. The launches in central alberta were such a disaster last fall its really tough to load/unload without damaging something. Dropping your trailer into the hole dug from the power loaders is no fun. They are even worse this year. Several of the launches at lac ste anne are already completely out of the water.

My jet boat will see a lot of the rivers this summer instead.

[cube]

Originally Posted by Lowrance Fishburn

So I have been talking with a few people who have witnessed the significant drop in water levels on most, if not all, Alberta lakes this spring. This is troubling for a number of reasons including being able to launch your boat and of course fishing.

This is quite concerning as last year the water levels were already very low compared to years past. At what point does this begin to seriously affect the fishery? I heard it is supposed to be a very dry summer as well so no real help on the way as far as rain goes. Boy, I never thought I would be hoping for rain but all things considered a couple of weeks of really solid pouring wouldn't be such a bad thing. Is there any way to combat this issue? Thoughts?

It is very scary out there right now. I was recently in Jasper and I have never seen the Athabasca river so low there. Especially since they had near 20 degree temps for a number of days previous. Looked only 20 foot wide and ankle deep.

We need allot of rain.

Low water levels also affects spawning success for a number of our Fish species here is Alberta.

[RavYak]

One lake is down a foot since last year and another that has noticeably dropped just this spring... If we don't get a bunch of rain there are a couple pothole lakes that are gonna dry up real quick this year.