OBSERVATION:
I have noticed that the Foothills region, located in Southern Alberta, has been extremely dry this year and that water levels in ponds and wetlands are lower than normal. According to The Alberta Department of Agriculture and Forestry, heat levels this year, in the Foothills region, reached levels expected once every 50 years and over winter precipitation accumulations were well below normal across most of the province (Alberta Agriculture & Forestry, 2016, p.3).
These facts were confirmed by Ralph Wright, a moisture specialist with the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. He said "a significant portion of the province" experienced among the warmest average temperatures on record through January, February and March (CBC News, 2016, para. 4).
I have also noticed the low water levels at work. We have storm-water runoff containment ponds on our site and the ponds have completely dried. I have worked on this site for 5 years and have never seen the water levels this low. We usually have a few feet of water in our ponds, but this year they are almost all dry on the south end of our site.
CONSULT:
According to Shane Harrison, a professionally registered Geoscientist with over 20 years experience in the environment and resource development sectors, relatively shallow groundwater levels have, overall, increased for the period of record but appear to be highly variable for a period beginning in 2006. Harrison noted some possible implications: "It must be noted that the ponds shown are man-made features that are likely on the order of 2-3 m deep. Surrounding naturally occurring slough areas show a similar pattern of dryness based on observations dating back to the fall of 2015. To better evaluate the observations a more detailed account of historical data is required (i.e. how far from normal are the observations)".
Harrison also added that "assuming continued low precipitation, potential implications on the ecosystem, industry, and the community may include the following:
Ecosystem: Lower than average precipitation, particularly over longer periods, is a significant ecosystem stressor – affecting both flora and fauna to varying degrees. Both may change and reflect species that can cope (or thrive) with the changing conditions.
Surface Water – Groundwater Interaction: The unforeseen resource; the surface waters can be important recharge features to the groundwater regime including underlying aquifers – aquifers which may provide many with potable drinking water (as noted above).
Industry: The most obvious industry potentially impacted is agriculture – the lack of moisture can lead to lower crop yields; or, as a worst-case scenario, crop failure. This is particularly true of non-irrigated cropland which predominates in the area.
Community: intrinsically tied to both of the above; the community may ultimately bear the brunt of extended dry periods – including possible water shortages and rationing. The extremes of low precipitation / drought are most evident in famine-stricken parts on the African continent" (Shane M. Harrison, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo. Hydrogeologist).
References
Alberta Agriculture & Forestry. 2016. Moisture Situation Update – March 31, 2016
CBC News. (2016). Alberta farmers hope for rain after extremely warm and dry winter
Observations From Members