Carolside

[192 whitey]

There is a uncontrolled water release happening at Carolside[Berry creek] reservoir a friend there told me it's down at least 12 feet and losing 4-6 inches a day

[coyote_man]

I used to know that as Foresters Dam when it held some good trout. The dam is between Bogis and Hansons and I think the leak has been going on for at least two weeks. Carolside is a lot further north in Slorstad country and is much bigger.

[192 whitey]

Originally Posted by coyote_man

I used to know that as Foresters Dam when it held some good trout. The dam is between Bogis and Hansons and I think the leak has been going on for at least two weeks. Carolside is a lot further north in Slorstad country and is much bigger.

Carolside is by Slorstad's and it still losing water uncontrolled alot of fish are going to die if they don't get the controll structure fixed right quick

[coyote_man]

Now wondering if I got my info wrong as to which dam was stuck open. Crossed Berry Creek and saw the high water by Sunstrums and was told it was the dam two miles north.Sorry if Im wrong and will try to verify.

[Chris84]

I drove past carolside and it looks low!!! Last I heard, you can't even launch the boat....it looked like the boat launch is completely exposed. This is my favorite fishing hole and I hope they get this under control.

[coyote_man]

Whitey 192 you are correct and I apologize to all.Heard they are going to try to bag it come Monday to stop the flow.

[192 whitey]

Originally Posted by coyote_man

Whitey 192 you are correct and I apologize to all.Heard they are going to try to bag it come Monday to stop the flow.

Hey not a problem I grew up by Richdale so familiar with the area just trying to get the word out that a great fishing hole could be in serious trouble.If you drive by post what you see thanks.

[Chris84]

I hope they can get this fixed. At least the lake is quite deep in spots, just hope with the low water levels that it doesnt winter kill

[192 whitey]

Was wondering if coyote man heard any news

[Chris84]

Whitey, was wondering the same thing. I might give special areas a call and see if they have an update.

[Chris84]

Got this from the special areas website:


Please be advised that the Carolside Reservoir campground will be closed until further notice. Repairs are required to the gate structure to stop the uncontrolled releasing of water out of the Carolside Reservoir. Fishing is still allowed on the reservoir, but the park will remain closed as the entrance and exit to the park will be blocked to allow adequate room for such repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the repairing of the gate and stopping the uncontrolled releasing of water is of primary concern. If you have any questions or concerns please phone the Special Areas Board @ 403-854-5600.

Hope it's fixed soon.

[wmw9]

Hey Chris...how low is the reservoir right now? I haven't been by there in a few months?

If Special Areas is the one repairing the gate it will probably be done by 2014

[Chris84]

I drove by it a week and a half ago and it looked like the water line was about 5 ft below the boat launch. Im wondering how long until there is no water left. I'm hoping that it doesn't get low enough to winterkill. I don't think special areas is the ones working on it, they are just providing the updates.

[HighRiver]

I will have to ask my dad what's going on, He works at the Husky gas plant on hiway 570. He and I used to fish there quite often when I worked at Sheerness plant.

[192 whitey]

Bump Anyone heard anything?

[Grains]

The contractor was busy working through the weekend to isolate the control gate to permit repairs. Shouldn't be losing any water now.

[Chris84]

Grains,

Do you know how far down the water level is now?

[Grains]

No Chris, sorry I'm not sure where water levels are at now.

[Fish face]

Drove past it last saturday, it was still really low.

[HannaHerald]

Originally Posted by Chris84

I drove past carolside and it looks low!!! Last I heard, you can't even launch the boat....it looked like the boat launch is completely exposed. This is my favorite fishing hole and I hope they get this under control.

As of Oct. 10 the water levels at dropped to 730 meters, which Sancartier noted was 3.5 meters below full supply level.
- just talked to Alberta Environment today for the story for the Oct. 17 issue of the Hanna Herald.

[Chris84]

Wow...that's down quite a bit. Does any body know what happened?

[HannaHerald]

They had a gate that won't close, and the water levels were higher than normal originally, so they couldn't safely access it (scuba etc). Apparently they tried a number of things, but if all went as planned that temp. gate should be up and the water loss should have ended as of last night. They are not responding to questions regarding the wintering of the fish ... but "off the record" they did note that the "fishing was good." To my knowledge they have not said people can't fish, they just can't camp at the campground ...

[turnpike]

stopped by there on sunday. they were in the process of building a dirt dam across the lake a hundred yards south of the boat launch. looked to me to be down a good 12-15 ft. got reports that they were thinking about netting the fish from the south side of temp dam and putting them back on the north side. ice fishing may be real good or real bad this winter. hard to imagine how many fish have been lost. what a shame!

[turnpike]

also, rumor is that when the gate and dam was constructed in '51 ? that the engineer called for a 3''(shank size) bolt and 2'' was put in. they originally tried dropping large rocks and scrap steel in the gate to slow the flow, but it all washed away. i also heard that the gate slides on two rods, and when it was raised it bowed the two rods outwards not allowing it to go back down

[Chris84]

I'm scared of how many fish will be lost because of this. This lake was a relatively unkown gem in an area with few options for fishing.....what a shame.

[Littlejet]

Was by late afternoon yesterday, they were just completeing the dam to shut off the water loss. Hope they can get it fixed and regain some level.

[HannaHerald]

A salvage fishery is taking place at Carolside Reservoir near Hannah, Alberta, to harvest resources that would otherwise be lost due to low water levels in the reservoir.

Carolside Reservoir is draining because of a malfunctioning outlet gate stuck in the open position. The volume of water remaining in the reservoir is too low to allow fish to survive over winter.

Fish species in the reservoir include northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, white sucker, longnose sucker and minnow.
The salvage fishery opens October 23 and closes November 23, 2012.

The salvage fishery is open to all residents of Canada.

Anglers can participate by acquiring a salvage fishery license from any Fish and Wildlife office in Alberta.

Cost of the license is $5, plus GST, for all eligible residents under the age of 65.

Licenses are free to residents over the age of 65 years.

Certain conditions apply to the fishery, including allowable methods and prohibitions against selling any fish caught.

Participants in the fishery are advised there is no access to the reservoir across the dam. Participants are also advised to stay at least 100 metres from any construction equipment on the site, and to remain at least 100 metres upstream of the coffer dam.

Details about the salvage fishery are available at srd.alberta.ca; please see the story 'Salvage Fishery Berry Creek - Carolside Reservoir. Information is also being posted to http://www.mywildalberta.com/BuyLice...ngLicence.aspx

[coyote_man]

Hope my info is correct but I heard the third dam was put in the other day and is holding as opposed to the previous two that washed out. Hunted birds last two days on Berry Creek and the creek level is finally falling downstream of Foresters.

[Chris84]

Coyote man, are there fish in forestors

[Mulestalker]

Was by there this week and took a few pics