City looking at viability of Watershed Management Plan

Chestermere City Council have directed city staff to prepare a report on the costs and resources needed to create a Watershed and Lake Management Plan.
The direction came at the Jan. 15 meeting of council after the Watershed Committee gave a presentation to council with a request that a management plan be created.
“Chestermere Lake is a valued asset to the City, the Western Irrigation District and to the community at large,” said Watershed Committee Chair Louise Cox.
“Looking to the future, it is important that we ensure that it continues to remain sustainable and healthy for all to enjoy,” she said.
The request came after the committee, which was appointed by council in early 2017, reviewed the existing information on the lake and its associated watershed and found there was no formal management plan in place.
“Although work is ongoing in many areas, and plenty of information has been generated previously, no formal management plan has yet been developed,” said Cox.
With this discovery, the committee decided to prepare the presentation and request council look at having the city create a management plan.
Chestermere Lake and its associated watershed provides both irrigation for crops and livestock, habitat for wildlife, and recreation opportunities for both residents and the wider region.
Because of these diverse roles of the lake and watershed, there are a number of interconnected and equally diverse factors that affect both Chestermere Lake and its watershed.
“The Committee believes that it would be advantageous to Chestermere and other stakeholders to consider all of these elements and develop a comprehensive management plan to ensure that we provide the long-term stewardship needed for this valued community amenity,” said Cox.
Once a staff report on the feasibility and desirability of a management plan is presented to council the next steps will be for council to decide whether to approve the creation of a management plan.
If approval is given, it will be up to city staff not the Watershed Committee to develop the management plan.
Cox described the role of the committee in broad terms is to work to advance the quality of the lake quality and viability of the watershed.
“We believe that developing a management plan will provide a great framework for taking care of, and enjoying our lake and watershed, now and for future generations,” she said.
If the management plan is approved by council, Cox said that the committee is looking forward to working in support of staff towards the creation of a management plan for the lake and watershed.