Government mail service may be affected by the Canada Post labour disruption. Learn about how critical government mail will be handled.
Overview
From July 19 to August 30, 2024, we gathered input about restarting pumping water into Gull Lake from the Blindman River. Pumping has been suspended since 2018 to prevent Prussian carp, an invasive fish species, from entering Gull Lake.
Gull Lake is experiencing low water levels, which can impact wildlife, recreation, tourism and investment in the area. To help stabilize water levels, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation applied to the regulator, the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, to amend the current licence to install a pressurized filtration system that could allow water to be pumped from the river into the lake and keep out Prussian carp and their eggs.
Get informed
- Gull Lake stabilization project fact sheet
- Hydrology study fact sheet
- Read the Gull Lake stabilization project open house handout distributed at Parkland Beach and Gull Lake
Input received
Albertans had from July 19 to August 30, 2024, to provide input on the Gull Lake stabilization project through open houses and an online survey. Input was reviewed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation staff.
Of the more than 2,000 responses, 95% favoured the Alberta government re-starting pumping water from the Blindman River into Gull Lake.
Outcomes
The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas has approved an amendment to the water licence, which is what 95% of stakeholders told us they wanted during engagement.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation will begin the work to install the filtration system at the Gull Lake pumphouse. Construction is scheduled to begin winter 2025, with a goal of beginning pumping water into Gull Lake in Spring 2026, provided water levels in the Blindman River are adequate.
There will be no pumping from the Blindman River during low-flow periods in the river.
Contacts
Contact the Gull Lake stabilization project team:
Email: [email protected]