This release was issued under a previous government.

The sediment release is in the river downstream from the Obed Mountain Mine site.

The sediment was released from an onsite water storage pond. The pond contains high levels of suspended solids, which include such things as clay and organic matter.

Communities have been notified. Infrastructure, such as pipelines, power lines, major roads and bridges, has not been impacted.

  • These communities have been notified:
    • Whitecourt
    • Hinton
    • Yellowhead County
    • Woodland County
    • MD of Greenview
    • MD of Lesser Slave River *
    • Athabasca County *
    • Athabasca *
    • Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation *
    • Alexander First Nation *
  • Municipal drinking water systems are designed to filter materials out of water.
  • Residents may see a noticeable colour change on the Athabasca River as the sediment moves downstream. *
  • Initial water samples are currently being analyzed by independent labs and will be reviewed by Alberta Health Services and Environment and Sustainable Resource Development staff. *
  • New information will be added to this bulletin as it becomes available. *

Government staff continue to monitor the release and are conducting water quality sampling in the river. These results will be shared with Alberta Health Services and other agencies; results will also be made public as soon as possible. Further work will also determine what, if any, environmental impacts may have resulted from this release. 

For more information

Residents with concerns, please call:  1-800-222-6514 
Media inquiries, please call:  780-719-8097