Recreation in the Battle River Basin: Overview John Thompson, Watrecon Consulting
Recreation Rates for Alberta & Battle Basin Households 1996 2004 Battle Basin Alberta Battle Basin Alberta Bird Watching 23% 17% 14% 18% Trail Walking 58% 63% 73% 68% Picnicking Country 56% 43% 32% 37% Swimming Lake 37% 34% 59% 33% Camping 56% 46% 59% 45% Motor Boating 24% 21% 36% 20% Canoeing 13% 14% 9% 16% Fishing 42% 35% 41% 29% Sailing 3% 6% 5% 4% Windsurfing 2% 3% 9% 1% Water Skiing 16% 13% 32% 11% Downhill Skiing 23% 31% 37% 23% Snowboarding 2% 8% 5% 15% Snowmobiling 22% 12% 14% 8% Cross Country Skiing 17% 18% 18% 11% Sample Size 128 3785 22 3217
Recreation & Water Licences Water Licences for Recreation 2% of total licenced water consumption Estimated Surface Water Use 45,149,000 m 3 Injection Wildlife 0% 37% Other 7% Thermal Power 21% Irrigation 22% Municipal 3% Stockwatering 10%
Recreation in the Battle River Basin: Hunting Dave Moore, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Hunting Wildlife Management Units
Waterfowl Season: early Sept end of year One of most productive areas in Alberta Over 20 outfitters guiding non-residents Annual Harvest: 20,000 gray geese 20,000 ducks 78,000 white geese
Ungulates Season: early Sept Dec (rifle & archery) Number of outfitters guiding non- residents Annual Harvest: 4,900 white tail 3,900 mule deer 670 moose 50 elk
River-based Recreation on the Battle River John Thompson, Watrecon Consulting
Battle River Fishing: walleye, northern pike, goldeye Motor boating: limited to Forestburg reservoir Canoeing & kayaking Snowmobiling Cross-country skiing Chesterwold Nordic Centre Downhill Skiing: Aspen Heights (Coronation) Valley Ski (Castor) Mistahiya (Wainwright)
Recreation Limitations Battle River not heavily used in summer months because of low flows Only navigable during high spring flows Poor water quality, especially from agricultural run-off, is limiting factor Municipal sewage effluent released in spring is a concern Riparian zones gradually being destroyed
Parks & Protected Areas in the Battle River Basin Terry Krause Alberta Community Development
Coal Lake North Pigeon Lake Coal Lake South Miquelon Mount Butte Peaceful Valley Big Knife Wainwright Dunes Ribstone Creek
Peaceful Valley Provincial Recreation Area Downstream of Battle Lake. 12.5 acres day use area/lodge overlooking Battle River Valley Donated parcel for the use by elderly, physically challenged or terminally ill people.
Mount Butte Natural Area Located at upper end of Battle Lake 157 acres & 5.5 quarter sections in reserve status, Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest, Battle Creek meanders, Battle Lake shoreline, upland aspen- poplar-birch birch-white spruce. Excellent wildlife habitat with information recreation opportunities
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park 1,095 acres on NW shore of lake Established in 1967 about 70,000 total visitors per year 410 campsites popular destination for fishing, boating, waterskiing, swimming etc.
Coal Lake Provincial Recreation Area Reservoir on Pipestone Creek North = 14.5 acres & South = 41.6 acres North - day use for fishing access South - 14 campsites and day use area. Access for fishing/boating
Big Knife Provincial Park Only major recreation site and Provincial Park on the Battle River 7,500 to 8,000 visitors each summer (campers & day users) 729 acres along Battle River and top end of Forestburg Reservoir 50 campsites, largely local family camping boating, canoeing, bird watching, walking trails, wildlife watching
Ribstone Creek Heritage Rangeland Natural Area Established for its high ecological values Diverse complex of sand plains, active dunes, calcerous fens and riparian wetlands. 20,577 acres co-managed with Public Lands (grazed) Hunting in fall, use by naturalists, some quading (eroding the largest dune complexes)
Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve Borders the SE boundary of the military base 6,970 acres, roughly 12 sections, est. in 1988 Isolated - no facilities and poor access Not a recreation site Purpose: ecological preservation of the unique ecosystem (some research) and grazing in managed by Public Lands. )
Miquelon Provincial Park Largest provincial park in the basin (2065 acres) 275 campsites, running water, flush toilets, and showers. Amphitheater for park interpretation programs 55,580 campers and 72,440 day users/ year.
Driedmeat Lake Significant recreation lake No Provincial facilities
Battle Lake Private campground and boat launch Decent fishery and excellent wildlife/bird watching No Provincial facilities
Recreation Summary Current recreation activities NOT heavily dependent on water allocations Although most of remaining natural areas are on private lands recreation is focused on enjoyment of natural features in the watershed