Lakes In Central Alberta Research Articles

Climate change has driven multidecadal declines in lake levels in central Alberta, Canada

Timoney, KP. 2024. Climate change has driven multidecadal declines in lake levels in central Alberta, Canada. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:205–220. This study examined water level data from 5 lakes in central Alberta to determine the timing and rates of change and to identify the causes for those changes. Over the past century, the estimated average levels of Beaverhill and Cooking lakes declined ∼3 m. Highest lake levels were observed ca. 1902–1904. Lake levels varied widely over the decades, punctuated by periods of high or low water conditions embedded within the longer term declines. Over the past 50 yr, average rates of lake drawdown were as follows: Miquelon −6.8 cm/yr, Cooking −4.4 cm/yr, Beaverhill −4.4 cm/yr, Hastings −0.9 cm/yr, and Ministik −0.7 cm/yr. Over time, annual temperature, evaporation, and net evaporation increased while annual precipitation, runoff, and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) decreased. Annual precipitation was significantly correlated with the levels of all 5 lakes, and with annual runoff and PDSI. Net evaporation was significantly correlated with temperature, runoff, PDSI, and the levels of all lakes but Ministik. Annual runoff was significantly correlated with the levels of all 5 lakes and PDSI. Conversely, neither annual temperature nor evaporation was correlated significantly with the annual lake levels. Annual levels of all 5 lakes were significantly correlated with each other. The lake level declines are part of a larger pattern of declining levels observed in other lakes in western North America over many decades. In central Alberta, data from several sources indicate accelerated rates of drawdown since the late 1970s to early 1980s at some lakes and accelerated declines since the mid to late 1990s at other lakes.

Natural controls on phosphorus concentrations in small Lakes in Central Alberta, Canada

abstract Small lakes can act as environmental sensors for understanding regional hydrogeological conditions and elemental cycles. Because of their small size, they react quickly to changes in nutrient runoff, groundwater exchange and climate. In the post-glacial landscape of Alberta, the Carvel Pitted Delta harbours a variety of small lakes, which, despite being close together, can have markedly different chemistries and nutrient characteristics. Here, we focused on nine lakes with surface areas <10 ha and maximal depths ranging from 5 to 18 m. We hypothesised that differences in their trophic states are caused by variations in Ca concentrations, controlled by groundwater inputs. All lakes tended toward permanent stratification due to small mixing depths (1.6–2.4 m). The deeper lakes were oligotrophic with high concentrations of Ca and a high fraction of phosphorus (Ca-bound P) in the sediments (HCl extractable fraction). A correlation was found between Ca-bound P and aqueous Ca concentrations at 0.5 m depth, suggesting that P stability could be estimated based on surface water chemistry. Calcium was shown to be concentrated in groundwater located above the bedrock, suggesting that groundwater inputs controlled Ca concentrations in the lakes. We conclude that the hydrogeological conditions and Ca inputs act as natural regulators for P availability and, by extension, water quality in these lakes.

Swimmer\u2019s itch in Canada: a look at the past and a survey of the present to plan for the future

BackgroundCercarial dermatitis, colloquially “swimmer’s itch”, is a rash contracted in natural bodies of water, when people are exposed to skin-penetrating, larval flatworm parasites of the family Schistosomatidae, that emerge from aquatic snails. Swimmer’s itch is a globally-distributed, allergic condition, of which we know very little regarding local dynamics of transmission. This study aims to gather relevant information on swimmer’s itch in Canada, from multiple perspectives, including the human experience, parasite and host presence and distributions, and insight from historical perspectives.MethodsHerein we utilize a mixed-methods approach towards examining the environmental health issue of swimmer’s itch in Canadian lakes from a nation-wide viewpoint, with an example from Alberta. We examine the human perspective of having contracted swimmer’s itch through a self-reporting surveillance system implemented over a 5-year period. We also conducted a 3-year species survey of parasites and intermediate snail hosts within lakes in central Alberta and compiled this data with snail and vertebrate (definitive) host survey data from across Alberta to examine potential for future spread. We compare the results from our surveys to a historical review of the literature to examine the extent of swimmer’s itch across Canada and identify where future efforts should be focused.ResultsOver 3800 cases of swimmer’s itch were captured across Canada by the self-reporting surveillance system. Swimmer’s itch cases were reported from every province except Prince Edward Island. Species surveys in Alberta revealed 7 new parasite and host records, with potential for swimmer’s itch to occur throughout most of the province based on host distributions. A review and comparison to the literature has highlighted several knowledge gaps surrounding schistosome species, host species and their distributions and contributions towards swimmer’s itch.ConclusionsSwimmer’s itch is a greater environmental health hazard across Canada than previous literature would have alluded. This study provides proof-of-concept for the utility of a self-reporting surveillance system for swimmer’s itch in Canada. Recommendations are made towards implementing a systems-thinking approach that incorporates citizen-scientists for future research, management, and policy surrounding swimmer’s itch.

Peer review report 1 on “Stable isotope mass balance of fifty lakes in central Alberta: assessing the role of water balance in determining trophic status and lake level”

Peer review report 1 on “Stable isotope mass balance of fifty lakes in central Alberta: assessing the role of water balance in determining trophic status and lake level”

Peer review report 2 on “Stable isotope mass balance of fifty lakes in Central Alberta: Assessing the role of water balance in determining trophic status and lake level”

Peer review report 2 on “Stable isotope mass balance of fifty lakes in Central Alberta: Assessing the role of water balance in determining trophic status and lake level”

Molecular and morphological evidence for nine species in North American Australapatemon (Sudarikov, 1959): a phylogeny expansion with description of the zygocercous Australapatemon mclaughlini n. sp.

Zygocercous (aggregating) cercarial larvae were recently discovered emerging from a physid snail during a molecular survey of cercariae from molluscs in lakes in central Alberta, Canada. This manuscript delves into the characterization of these cercariae through morphological and molecular techniques and provides the first genetic information for a zygocercous larval trematode. Analyses of cytochrome c oxidase I of mitochondrial DNA and two partial regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences revealed the zygocercous cercariae to belong to the genus Australapatemon Sudarikov, 1959. Further analyses of sequences of Australapatemon burti (Miller, 1923), from cercariae and adults collected from across North America, indicate a complex of nine genetically-distinct lineages within this species, a surprising level of diversity. The zygocercous cercariae, along with adult worms collected from ducks in Manitoba, Canada, and from Mexico, represent one of these lineages, and are herein described as Australapatemon mclaughlini n. sp. Seven lineages cannot yet be identified, but one is tentatively identified as Australapatemon burti.

Stable isotope mass balance of fifty lakes in central Alberta: Assessing the role of water balance parameters in determining trophic status and lake level

Abstract Study region This study spans the Prairie/parkland/boreal transition in central Alberta, including lakes in the Athabasca, North Saskatchewan, Battle River and Red Deer Basins. Study focus Stable isotopes of water, oxygen-18 and deuterium, were measured in a network of 50 lakes during 2008 and 2009. The lakes are the subject of recent concern due to widespread lake level decline and development of eutrophic conditions that have been attributed to climate and land-use impacts. An isotope mass balance method was applied to estimate evaporation/inflow, water yield, and water residence times to assess relationships between water balance and lake status. New hydrological insights Water yield was found to range from near 0 to 235 mm, evaporation/inflow was found to range from 18 to 136 %, and water residence time ranged from 2.3 to 58 years. The healthiest lakes in terms of trophic status are deep lakes with smaller catchments with long residence times. These lakes may have stable or variable water levels. Distressed lakes are often shallow prairie lakes with limited inflow and shorter residence times, and situated in areas with higher evaporation rates. High conductivity and high sulfate in some eutrophic lakes, attributed to saline groundwater inflow, may inhibit algae and cyanobacterial growth, thereby promoting healthier conditions. Extended drought under climate warming is expected to cause eventual decline of water levels in a greater number of lakes.

Reproduction of the Plains Garter Snake,Thamnophis radix, Near Its Northern Range Limit: More Evidence for a “Fast” Life History

Do high-latitude environments constrain life histories of ectotherms? One expectation is that shorter and cooler active seasons at high latitudes limit opportunities for maintenance of optimum body temperature and restrict time for foraging and therefore for growth and reproduction. Thus, under this hypothesis, individuals in high-latitude populations of wide-ranging species would be predicted to grow more slowly, have lower reproductive output, and perhaps reproduce less frequently than lower-latitude conspecifics. However, at Miquelon Lake in central Alberta, the Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix) grows as fast annually as more southerly conspecifics and reaches sexual maturity at the same age. Here, we make a comparable test of latitudinal variation in reproductive traits. Both litter size and offspring size were larger in the Miquelon Lake population than at lower latitudes. Moreover, female snakes could reproduce annually, although the frequency of annual reproduction remains unknown. Litter size...

Early prehistoric sties in Alberta and how they relate to Ahai Mneh (FiPp-33)

A number of projectile points found in the basal cultural deposits at Ahai Mneh are representative of the Early Prehistoric period. In addition to confirming a cultural presence previously only tentatively identifi ed at this hilltop site near Wabamun Lake in central Alberta, these fi ndings add to our understanding of the range of the Agate Basin/Hell Gap phase, a period that is very poorly represented in Alberta archaeolog y. Further, two fragmentary specimens thatare basally concave and exhibit attempts at fl uting or basal thinning appear to be Early Prehistoric in origin; these bear some resemblance to stubby points of the little-known Sibbald phase, although they could also be representative of the later Lusk complex. While only the most tentative of identifi cations can presently be made, they serve as an indicator of multiple Early Prehistoric occupations at Ahai Mneh and highlight a key area of interest for future research at the site.

TOUGHREACT modeling of the fate of CO2 injected into a H2S containing saline aquifer: The example of the Wabamum Area Sequestration Project (WASP)

Abstract The Devonian Nisku formation in central Alberta is potentially a suitable aquifer for CO2 sequestration. As with many Devonian aged aquifers in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, it contains H2S from thermochemical sulfate reduction. In spite of this, the Devonian Nisku represents a potentially desirable location as it is at the correct depth to ensure that CO2 is in the supercritical phase, it has multiple impermeable and low permeability barriers and there is very little hydrocarbon production in the formation. This paper presents a modeling study of the injection phase of CO2 into a saline aquifer in the Devonian Nisku formation at Wabamum Lake in Central Alberta. The object of the study is to evaluate the differences and problems, if any, between injection into a brine with an ambient amount of dissolved H2S and without dissolved H2S. The simulation covers a CO2 injection period of 50 years at a rate of 1 Mt/year. A one dimensional, radial symmetric model was used with a uniform carbonate composition. The mineral composition was from the Upper Nisku formation and a water composition from a producing water well in the Nisku formation. The model found that injected CO2 was stored as ionically trapped bicarbonate in a region of varying widths, 300 m wide after 1 year of injection to 3000 m wide after 50 years of injection represents from 2% to 3% of injected CO2. Small amounts are also trapped as calcite and dolomite. The H2S in solution does exsolve as gas during injection but this result is inconclusive due to the small amount of dissolved H2S present in the ambient brine. Overall, there were no noticeable differences between the models with and without ambient H2S in the brine.

Relationship between organic matter and mercury in recent lake sediment: The physical–geochemical aspects

This study addresses the physical geochemical aspects of the relationship between Hg and organic matter in recent sediment from eutrophic lakes in central Alberta, Canada. The types of organic matter in the sediment are classified based on their degree of thermal degradation and their petrographical characteristics. This study uniquely applies the methods conventionally used in petroleum geosciences (Rock-Eval ® analyses and organic petrology) to investigate the relationship between various types of organic matter and the concentration of Hg in sediment. The results show that the total organic carbon (TOC) in sediment represents the sum of various organic compounds, which may play a completely different role in the distribution and accumulation of Hg. Strong correlations between TOC and the concentration of Hg in the studied sediment arise mainly from the thermally labile portion of organic matter released during pyrolysis under 300 °C. These compounds primarily consist of easily degradable algal-derived lipids and various pigments, which are petrographically described as soluble organic matter (SOM). The preserved SOM in sediment is commonly entrapped within the cell walls of phytoplankton and also appear as surface coating on sediment particles. The strong affinity between Hg and SOM is due not only to its chemical reactivity, but also to the physical characteristic of these labile compounds. The SOM may provide a substrate with enormous surface area by concentrating on the finer sediment size fractions and potentially acting as a “concentrator” for Hg and other organic-associated elements. Lastly, the quantity of the SOM has been calculated as an “elemental concentrator” portion of the TOC, which plays the most important role in the distribution of Hg in sediment.

Recent Eutrophication Histories in Lac Ste. Anne and Lake Isle, Alberta, Canada, Inferred Using Paleolimnological Methods

ABSTRACT A paleolimnological analysis of Lac Ste. Anne and Lake Isle, two eutrophic lakes in central Alberta, Canada, confirmed that they were naturally eutrophic, but have become increasingly eutrophic after the 1960s as 27% and 24% of their watersheds, respectively, were developed for urban and agricultural purposes. This was shown by a predominance of Chironomidae head capsules indicating periodic anoxia in bottom waters, high abundances of eutrophic diatoms (e.g., Aulacoseira granulata, Fragilaria crotonensis, Stephanodiscus niagarae and S. parvus), and, in Lac Ste. Anne, an enrichment of pigments from filamentous cyanobacteria (e.g., myxoxanthophyll) in post-1960 sediments. Evidence of periodic anoxia in the profundal zone was also provided by a scarcity of reducible phosphorus in the sediments. Lac Ste. Anne showed the largest changes during the 1960s and 1970s, when increases were observed in the abundance of hyper-eutrophic diatoms (e.g., S. parvus) as well as sedimentary phosphorus fractions and algal pigments. The changes in Lake Isle were similar, but more subtle. Results indicate that reduced anthropogenic activities would still result in eutrophic systems, but some improvements in water quality would be achieved, particularly in Lac Ste. Anne.

Role of chemical and physical variables in regulating microcystin-LR concentration in phytoplankton of eutrophic lakes

A survey of eutrophic to hypereutrophic hardwater lakes in central Alberta was conducted to test the hypotheses that the concentration of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in phytoplankton is regulated by environmental factors that affect both the biomass of the main producer of the toxin, Microcystis aeruginosa, and the concentration of the toxin in the cells. Of all environmental factors examined, total phosphorus was the strongest correlate of both M. aeruginosa biomass and cellular MC-LR (expressed as micrograms per gram of M. aeruginosa). Microcystis aeruginosa biomass was also strongly negatively related to the total nitrogen to total phosphorus ratio (TN:TP) and inorganic nitrogen (NO2-+ NO3-, NH4+). A univariate regression model of TN:TP explained the most variation in MC-LR concentration (expressed as nanograms of cellular toxin per litre) in mixed phytoplankton communities. This study indicated that MC-LR dynamics in phytoplankton of lakes was related to changes in the concentration and ratio of phosphorus and nitrogen.

In situ evaluation of options for chemical treatment of hepatotoxic cyanobacterial blooms

Closed-bottom limnocorrals were placed in a hardwater lake in central Alberta to compare the effect of two alternative approaches to chemical removal of toxic phytoplankton blooms. Reglone A, which lyses phytoplankton cells, and lime-alum, which precipitates intact phytoplankton cells out of the water column were both effective in removing phytoplankton from the water column. Our results were consistent with laboratory studies in that treatment with Reglone A removed phytoplankton (primarily cyanobacteria) blooms with a concomitant increase in dissolved microcystin (exo-MCYST) and phosphorus concentrations in the surrounding water whereas lime-alum treatment did not. Maximum exo-MCYST concentrations in the water phase of the lime-alum treated limnocorrals were 32-fold lower than those recorded in the Reglone-treated limnocorrals. Treatment with lime alone caused a sharp rise in pH (to &gt;10), and the observed increase in exo-MCYST was likely due to pH shock. Exo-MCYST concentration in the Reglone-treated enclosures remained high for the duration of the experiment (&gt;5 days). As microcystin did not partition onto lake sediments in laboratory studies, our limnocorrals results were probably a good indication of microcystin dynamics in lakes. Thus, the use of chemicals such as lime-alum that precipitate out intact phytoplankton cells lessens the potential health risk where microcystins are present.

Effects of Ca (OH)2 additions on phytoplankton communities under ice cover in eutrophic hardwater lakes

The effects of Ca(OH) 2 treatment during the open-water season on phytoplankton communities under ice cover were examined for up to three winters (Nov. Apr.) in three eutrophic hardwater lakes in central Alberta. Phytoplankton communities were compared between treated and untreated lakes, and between pre- and posttreatment periods within a treatment lake. In all study lakes, phytoplankton biomass tended to be high at ice-on, decrease after November, and remain low (<2mg/L) from January to early March, when light conditions and water temperatures were also low. After late March to early April, phytoplankton biomass started to increase exponentially because of higher light conditions and water temperature. Most phytoplankton species that were common under ice also occurred during the open-water season. Although phytoplankton species composition was diverse under ice, the biomass of most species, except for flagellates, did not increase before mid-March. Species composition and biomass of some phytoplankton groups varied without clear trends among winters in treated and untreated lakes. Therefore, Ca(OH) 2 treatment during the open-water season did not appear to affect winter phytoplankton communities.

Groundwater-lake interactions: II. Nearshore seepage patterns and the contribution of ground water to lakes in central Alberta

Seepage flux was measured with seepage meters placed along transects from the lake shore to 30–110m offshore in 10 lakes in central Alberta during May–August 1986. In the study area, the predominant surficial deposit is glacial till which is underlain by sedimentary bedrock. Seepage flux into the lakes ranged from 3 × 10 −10 to 2 × 10 −7 ms −1. Seepage out of the lakes was recorded at only one of 92 seepage meter sites. At one lake, seepage was measured fortnightly along transects at two locations, from May to August 1986; seepage patterns were consistent throughout that period. In the nearshore region of six of 10 lakes, seepage flux to the lakes decreased with distance from shore. Deviations from that pattern were probably a result of: (1) spatial variability of seepage flux within a small area of lakebed; (2) intertill sand and gravel lenses near the lake; (3) preglacial bedrock channels of sand and gravel underlying some of the lakes. Ground water was the major source of water (49% of total inflow) to one lake; at the other lakes, ground water was a relatively small component (10%) of total inflow.

An integrated approach to quantify groundwater transport of phosphorus to Narrow Lake, Alberta

An integrated approach was used to quantify groundwater phosphorus flux to Narrow Lake, a small glacial-terrain lake in central Alberta. Data from a drilling program, major ion concentrations, environmental isotopes, and computer simulations indicated that the lake gains water through the nearshore region from a small, shallow groundwater flow system; at deep offshore regions, water moves from the lake to the groundwater flow system. Seepage flux was quantified by water budget, Darcy’s equation with data from wells near the lake, Darcy’s equation with data from minipiezometers in the lake, and seepage meters. Whole-lake seepage flux determined from minipiezometer data (30 mm yr−1) was only 10–25% of the other estimates (mean, 221 mm yr −1; range, 133–332 mm yr−1 from seepage meter and water budget data, respectively). Groundwater contributed ∼30% of the annual water load to the lake. The P concentration, [P], in pore water from lake sediments (mean, 175 mg m−3) was 8 times higher than groundwater from wells near the lake (mean, 21 mg m−1). Thus, if well water was used to estimate the [P] of the seepage water, the rate of groundwater P loading to the lake would be underestimated. The rate of groundwater P loading to the lake computed from average seepage flux and average pore-water [P] was 39 mg m−2 yr−1, and groundwater may be the largest single source of P to epilimnetic water in the lake.

Effect of Size-Selective Predation by Muskrats (Ondatra zebithicus) on a Population of Unionid Clams (Anodonta grandis simpsoniana)

SUMMARY (1) The effect of size-selective predation by muskrats on the population size, sizestructure, and growth of clams was evaluated in a small lake in central Alberta. Clam shells were collected at regular intervals over 1 year from muskrat middens found along the shoreline of the lake. The number, biomass, size distribution, and age distribution of clams eaten were compared with the number, biomass, and age and size distributions of clams in the lake. (2) Muskrats ate almost 37000 clams, or 3% of the population in the study area in I year. When expressed as biomass, muskrats ate 677 kg of clams, which was equivalent to 5 8% of the biomass and 31% of the annual production of clams in the study area. (3) Muskrat predation was highly size-selective-86% of the clams eaten were > 55 mm long compared to 37% for clams in the lake-and had a strong effect on the size structure of the clam population. When all age-classes were combined, the biomass of clams > 70 mm eaten exceeded the annual production by an amount equivalent to 9 5% of the estimated biomass in the lake. Muskrats ate the fastest growing clams between 3 and 9 years old. Mean length at annulus did not increase for clams older than age-8 in the lake. The biomass of large clams in the lake will therefore decline if the observed predation continues. (4) Muskrats ate a large fraction of the reproductive output (glochidia) of the largest clams. Only 6% of the glochidia of clams 70 mm long was eaten. Genetic selection for slow growth has not occurred.

Influence of Environmental Factors and Piscivory in Structuring Fish Assemblages of Small Alberta Lakes

We surveyed 45 small lakes in central Alberta to determine if discrete, repeatable types of fish assemblages exist, to identify the main environmental and biotic processes likely responsible for assemblage-level patterns, and to compare and contrast Alberta patterns with those observed in other regions of North America. Overall, 11 species of fish were caught in 36 lakes; nine lakes were fishless. Hierarchical classification and detrended correspondence analysis of fish species presence/absence identified two main assemblage types, characterized by northern pike (Esox lucius) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) versus brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Pike/perch lakes were significantly deeper and larger than lakes of the stickleback/fathead assemblage type; however, a subset of the former group lacking yellow perch was environmentally similar to stickleback/fathead lakes. Piscivory by northern pike appears to be the dominant process maintaining nearly complete negative associations between members of the two assemblage types. Despite environmental and faunal-richness differences, our results were not unlike those from southern Ontario and northern Wisconsin. For small boreal lakes of North America, piscivory and processes related to a small number of environmental variables, such as maximum depth, surface area, and isolation, appear to be most important in structuring fish assemblages.

Evaluation of indicators of nitrogen limitation in deep prairie lakes with laboratory bioassays and limnocorrals

The deep lakes in central Alberta are characterized by relatively high total nitrogen (TN) to total phosphorus (TP) ratios (33 to 64, by weight) and high TP (10 to 100 µg 1−1) in the euphotic zone in summer. These same lakes show indications of nitrogen limitation: (1) blue-green algae are relatively important in summer (7 to 88% of total biomass) and a large proportion of the filaments contain heterocysts and (2) inorganic nitrogen levels are extremely low in the surface waters (NOinf2sup−+ NOinf3sup−+ NHinf4sup+− N < 10 µg 1−1). In 1985 and 1986 inorganic nitrogen (25 to 1200 µg 1−1 − N) and/or phosphorus (12 to 100 µg 1−1 − P) was added to water in 31 m3 limnocorrals or 21 bottles from four deep prairie lakes. In most cases, phytoplankton biomass (estimated as chlorophyll a) was stimulated only by phosphorus additions. However, for a short period (8 d) after an unusual storm, phytoplankton biomass was stimulated by nitrogen additions. After this storm, TP increased by up to 75% in the epilimnion of the study lakes whereas TN did not increase. The algae which increased in these experiments tended to be the dominant algae in the control vessels, which varied with the experiment and the lake. Thus, a large proportion of blue-green algae and low inorganic nitrogen levels are not indicative per se of nitrogen limitation in lakes.