Milk River Ridge Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milk River Ridge Reservoir |
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 Milk River Ridge Reservoir
Location in Alberta
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| Location | County of Warner No. 5, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 49°22′29″N 112°35′43″W / 49.37472°N 112.59528°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Nine Mile Coulee |
| Primary outflows | Nine Mile Coulee |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 4.6 km (2.9 mi) |
| Max. width | 13.7 km (8.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 15.3 km2 (5.9 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 8.4 m (28 ft) |
| Max. depth | 16.5 m (54 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,032 m (3,386 ft) |
The Milk River Ridge Reservoir is a large, artificial lake in southern Alberta, Canada. It's a popular place for fun summer activities like swimming, fishing, and boating! This reservoir is about 44 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Lethbridge. You can find it along Highway 506, just west of Highway 4.
This special lake was created along a natural valley called the Nine Mile Coulee. It sits high up, at about 1030 meters (3,379 feet) above sea level. The reservoir is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) long and up to 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) wide. It gets its name from the Milk River Ridge, a higher area of land located just south of the reservoir, near the actual Milk River.
Contents
How the Reservoir Was Built and Used
The Milk River Ridge Reservoir was built in 1956 by a group called the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA). It was designed to store water and help with irrigation for the St. Mary River Irrigation District. This district helps farmers get water for their crops.
In 1974, the government of Alberta took over ownership of the reservoir and all its structures.
Changes in Water Flow
In 1994, a power station called the Raymond Reservoir Generating Station was built. This station changed how much water flowed into the Ridge Reservoir. It diverted a lot of water away, which meant the water stayed in the Ridge Reservoir for a longer time.
Because of this change, the St. Mary River Irrigation District started checking the water quality in 1996. They wanted to make sure the water was still good, especially since less fresh water was flowing through.
Water Quality Concerns
By 1998, people living nearby who used water from the reservoir started noticing problems with the taste and smell of their water. This was a big concern!
From 1999 to 2001, there was a drought, which meant not enough rain. Water had to be rationed, meaning people could only use a limited amount.
In 2002, health officials also became worried about the water quality in the reservoir. This led to the creation of the Ridge Reservoir Committee.
Working Together for Water Quality
In 2003, the Ridge Reservoir Committee was officially formed. This group included people from the Town of Raymond, PFRA, Environment Canada, the University of Calgary, Health Canada, and the Chinook Health Region. Their goal was to study the reservoir and the land around it to find out what was causing the water problems.
From 2003 to 2007, a study found several issues. These included livestock (like cows) entering the reservoir, dead animals near or in the water, and lots of algae growing. Algae blooms can make water look green and sometimes smell bad.
Protecting the Reservoir Today
In 2014, a new project called the Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative (MRRWQSI) began. This group works to protect and improve the reservoir's water quality.
The Stewardship Working Group includes:
- Alberta Environment and Parks
- Alberta Conservation Association
- County of Warner
They have taken many important steps:
- They installed about 45 kilometers (28 miles) of fencing to keep livestock away from the reservoir and its smaller streams. They plan to add even more fencing.
- They put in 20 special watering units away from the reservoir, so animals have a safe place to drink.
- They planted 20,000 shrubs, with plans for 20,000 more, to help the environment around the lake.
- About 386 acres (156 hectares) of land were reseeded to create better homes for wildlife.
- A wetland area of about 6.18 acres (2.5 hectares) was developed on the west side of the reservoir. Wetlands are great for filtering water naturally.
- A special filter was installed to remove phosphorus, a nutrient that can cause too much algae to grow.
- They also spray, mow, and disc areas to protect the new habitats and control weeds.
- Over 20 acres (8 hectares) of Crown land near the reservoir, which was being used for farming, was reclaimed to protect the shoreline.
These efforts show how much people care about keeping the Milk River Ridge Reservoir healthy and clean for everyone to enjoy!
