2009 ALBERTA FISH RESCUE
Numerous irrigation diversion structures exist on many river systems and on-stream reservoirs in southern Alberta (e.g., Bow, Highwood, Oldman, Belly, Waterton and St. Mary rivers). However, most of these structures do not have operable fish exclusion devices to keep both sportfish and non-sport species from entering diversion canals.

Wild sportfish that enter irrigation canals are generally lost to the fishery because existing canal structures prevent fish from returning to the river system. Until Trout Unlimited Canada’s Fish Rescues began in 1996, the extent of the problem was very poorly documented and received little attention.

PAST FISH RESCUE EFFORTS BY TUC
In 1996 and 1997 TUC conducted pilot Fish Rescues on an irrigation diversion canal near Carseland, which is fed by the lower Bow River. These efforts resulted in rescuing and returning almost 20,000 stranded fish to the Bow River to complete their life cycle.

In 1998, Fish Rescue efforts were expanded to several additional sites along the Carseland Canal, and one site along the main diversion canal for the Western Irrigation District. In 1999 and 2000, the Fish Rescue was expanded to also include preliminary surveys at several sites along the main diversion canal for the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District, along with canals that are fed by southern tributaries of the Oldman River.

Last year the Fish Rescue concentrated on six different canals in southern Alberta fed by the Bow, Highwood, Belly, Waterton, and Oldman rivers. The data collected helped to confirm that large numbers of sportfish are being stranded in all diversion canals that do not have fish screens to keep fish from entering the canals.

To date TUC has rescued over 625,000 fish from certain death. Rescued fish include rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, bull trout, northern pike, burbot, lake whitefish and yellow perch as well as many non-sport fish species.

WHY GET INVOLVED?
While we would prefer that TUC members did not have to fix a problem they did not cause, without good data and more public awareness of the magnitude of the problem of losses down the canals, corrective actions will not happen. This issue is indicative of many of the problems that have plagued Alberta’s fisheries where too often there is little attention and resources given to problems until crises occur! The data and profile from this and past Fish Rescues should help Alberta’s fisheries managers secure the resources they need to properly manage our valuable fisheries.

Our actions help demonstrate that TUC, our members and our partners do not just sit back and wait for things to change. Instead, when leadership is needed, we mobilize our members to ensure coldwater resources are wisely managed and protected.

Volunteers of all ages are needed. This project provides an excellent hands-on activity for individuals, families and youth groups.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
If you want to volunteer for the fish rescue, we can use you! Dates and locations of the 2008 Fish Rescue are listed at right. It is important that you rsvp with the number of people in your party and dates, so we can properly plan for the fish rescue. To download our Volunteer Information and Registration Form, click here.

If you bring a dog, it must be on leash at all times.

NOTE: As electroshocking will be utilized at the majority of the sites, we will not allow anyone under the age of 18 in the water while electroshocking. We encourage everyone to participate in the identification and measuring of the fish once they have been captured. This is a task that can be done by all ages so bring out the kids.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Lesley Peterson at 403-209-5184 (office) or by email.

We can also be reached in the field at 403-875-3264 if you have any questions.

LOCATIONS/DATES

WHC
Wed. Sept. 30
Max Bell Arena
Meeting time is 8:00 am, in the northwest corner of the parking lot of Max Bell Arena. We will walk down to the processing area from there.

WCD
Sat. Oct. 3
High River
Meeting time is 8:00 am. This canal is located west of High River so we will meet in High River and travel together to the site. We will be meeting at the High River Mall parking lot (north of McDonalds) located in High River along Highway 23 (12 Ave. SE).
Map and Directions

CBRHC
Sat. Oct. 10 & Sun. Oct. 11
Carseland
Meeting time is 8:00 am for both days.

Oct. 10: We will be meeting along the service road parallel to HWY 24, south of the Carseland Wyndham Provincial Park store parking lot.

Oct. 11: We will be meeting along the service road parallel to HWY 24 just south of the turn off to the Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park.
Map and Directions

LNHC
Wed. Oct 14 — Fri. Oct. 16
Granum/Fort Macleod area
Meeting time is 8:00 am each day.

Oct. 14: The meeting spot for this date can be reached from Hwy 2. Take Secondary Highway 785 (just north of Fort MacLeod) west about 4 miles until you reach the canal. Drive NORTH along the EAST bank of the canal service road until you reach the first set of gates (the first concrete structure). We will start here and work our way north along the canal system.
Map and Directions

Oct. 15: For the second day we will start at the flume (where the canal crosses over Willow Creek), located just west of where the canal and HWY 2 intersect. To reach this point it is best to turn WEST off HWY 2 (south of the canal crossing) and then follow the service road on the SOUTH bank of the canal for 1.3km.
Map and Directions

Oct. 16: For the third day will meet at the intersection of the canal and Secondary Highway 519 (EAST along the Granum highway). This will become the meeting point for this day regardless of our progress. We will be traveling along the EAST bank of the canal for this final leg of the work, working north along the canal.
Map and Directions

WBD
Sat., Oct. 17 — Mon. Oct. 19
Cardston/Pincher Creek area
Meeting times are 8:00 am each day. This canal is located between Cardston and Pincher Creek.

The maps below will help you find WBD on a map. The Waterton Reservoir is located northwest of the Village of Hill Spring. To get there from Pincher Creek follow Highway 6 south out of town to Secondary Highway 505. Turn left (east) and follow 505 to the spillway, as the road becomes part of the structure. At this point leave the paved road and drive to the right along the top of the reservoir to the gates located at the east end, this is where we will set up for the first day of the rescue. We will then proceed east as we complete each drop. We will meet at the headgates each day at 8:00. If you are late or nobody is there to meet you, follow the service road on the NORTH side of the canal and head EAST until you meet up with the crew.

1^st site: at the headgates
2^nd site: at Range Road 280 crossing
3^rd site: at Range Road 275 crossing
4^th site: below Range Road 274 crossing

Map and directions to WBD from:
Pincher Creek
Cardston
Fort Macleod