The Quill Lakes Watershed Association (QLWA) is in danger of dissolving operations due to a lack of commitment from the provincial government.
Formed by a group of stakeholders comprised of local landowners and communities following the wide spreading of flooding that occurred in the Quill Lakes and surrounding area between 2005-2017.
Chairman Ian McNichol says the focus of the group is to development of mitigation projects to reduce the lake levels to an acceptable level.
He noted they proposed several flood mitigations including the hydraulic modeling study of the Kutawagan drainage system, this study diverting water away from Quill Lakes down Saline Creek which is the natural outflow point of the Quill Lakes.
A geotechnical investigation to define the natural Kutawagan drainage channel and spill point. A deep well injection study that evaluated disposing excess water in underground formations.
At the request of the Water Security Agency (WSA), the QLWA explored the redirection of Ironspring Creek and Romance Creek towards Jansen Lakes and Lanigan Creek. This project also evaluated Jansen Lakes irrigation potential.
Proposals for these projects were brought forward to the WSA but were met with rejection. A recent funding request through the Agricultural Water Management Fund was also denied, due to high economic costs and limited long-term impact.
McNichol says the QLWA is attempting to find a solution for the proposed projects to be accepted by meeting with the WSA, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment.
“We are also exploring additional sources of funding and partnerships so we can continue our efforts independently.”
He added that stakeholders of the QLWA can help their cause by contacting their local MLAs, the WSA and the Ministry of Agriculture to voice their concerns and demand government action.
Rural Municipalities and communities can join the QLWA to provide support as they look to continue developing projects to reduce lake levels.
If the QLWA is forced to dissolve, McNichol says local landowners will feel the effects.
“A flood mitigation project may never be implemented. Farmland will remain underwater. Farm income will continue to be lost, and municipal roads, highways and railways still remain at risk,” he says.
“If the watershed closes. There would be no longer be an organization to represent landowners and local interests.”
More information about the Quill Lakes Watershed Association can be found at their website quilllakeswatershed.com