Released on May 29, 2015
In an effort to the help the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant with water quality issues, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is conducting a controlled release from Lake Diefenbaker to replace a small portion of water in Buffalo Pound Lake.The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant formally requested this assistance from WSA to potentially help with the water quality issues currently being experienced at the plant. The plant has been challenged by weather conditions and rapidly changing water temperature in conjunction with algae blooms.
Over the next four days, outflow from Buffalo Pound Lake to the Qu’Appelle River will be increased by 10 cubic metres per second (m3/s) for a total of 11.2 m3/s. Residents along Buffalo Pound Lake will notice a drop in the water level of roughly 10 centimetres.
After four days, the outflow will be reduced to the previous flow of 1.2 m3/s and the lake level will be increased by 15 centimetres over seven days, as the water from Lake Diefenbaker enters Buffalo Pound.
Communities and residents along the river from Buffalo Pound Lake to Lumsden are advised of increased water flows during this time but all flows will be well within the channel.
This operation will not increase water levels at Last Mountain Lake and the Qu’Appelle Lakes but will slightly slow the recession as they return to normal operating levels.
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. The agency brings together all of the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997