jpinkster

Then what are you suggesting be done to control magpies/crows? They are going to go where they feel most safe, as you have alluded to in the previous posts. If they don't have to worry about getting shot in cities, that's where they are going to go. If that's where they are going to go, their populations are going to grow. I don't recall someone shooting an elk at the zoo with a bow, but I do remember someone shooting a deer in Fish Creek Park with a bow and leaving the body.

So we should give people free reign to discharge fire arms in urban areas? Rules against that kind of thing are there for a reason.

Is Sapro usually fatal?

Folks, On Thursday evening the Bow River Chapter of TU will be holding our AGM. We have had a very busy last few months, and are looking forward to a strong rest of the year. http://bowriver.org/2016/05/17/annual-agm-may-19th-2016-at-7pm/ Today is the last day to purchase a membership to be a voting member. Stop by and say hello!

Urban Alberta is DRAMATICALLY different today than it was 50 years ago, it's ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Calgary alone has added better than a million people. More people = more garbage, more interaction between people and animals, more road kill etc. Nuisance animals are the price you pay for progress, and that certainly isn't the government's fault.

I don't doubt that was effective. All I was suggesting is that we should be careful what we blame government for. There is plenty we can lay at the feet of the Provincial government, but I'm not sure this is one of them. Urbanization has created an environment where these "pests" can thrive.

Same applies to coyotes. There are a number of species that have been given an opportunity to thrive in close proximity to people: Won't let me post this map, but have a look: https://nebula.wsimg.com/9e144537948ea07e6f8e7ef68cb3c679?AccessKeyId=4877D91F59053B3750AE&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Yeah, crows and magpies suck...but I'm not sure what you are getting at here. My grandpa used to shoot magpies out of his bedroom window in west-end Edmonton all the time. It wasn't legal then, and it certainly isn't now. Government (likely with the support of local police) not wanting people to shoot off weapons in urban areas seems like a pretty good idea to me.

What's the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings? Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have bells in it and smells like pepper.

The majority of streams are closed entirely until June 15th. Jumpingpound is included in that grouping of streams.

From Global. I wonder if this is just sediment being gathered from the high water or if they are releasing the sediment load from Glenmore as well. I remember hearing that when they released a sediment load from Bearspaw a few years back it caused a ton of issues downstream (sapro, etc).

Just a small update: Contrary to my previous update, it doesn't sound like there are immediate plans to remove the barriers. Some flood mitigation work was planned just upstream, and the game plan was for Graves to be closed during that period. This event may accelerate some of those plans. I'm still finding the closure without consultation a bit concerning. I'll keep following up with The City folks to see what happens next.

I'd like to think fisheries biologists were consulted about what impacts this might have....but I know better than that.

I was talking about this issue with a colleague of mine. She asked if an education campaign would be effective to inform people of why they shouldn't drive on a gravel bar. I told her that it is a nice idea, but it would largely be ineffective. These are folks that ignore signs and drive around barriers that are clearly there for a reason. Can we really expect these folks being receptive to "better education"? The only action that may have an impact is enforcement. Write them tickets, threaten to seize vehicles. Anything else will be largely ineffective.

Critical point here. Ignoring the barricades and the signage just makes a stronger case that access should be restricted further.

Area residents from Riverbend and Lynwood/Ogden call in all the time. There are a number of houses in both communities that have front row seats to the nonsense that takes place there.

Update for you folks: The barriers were put in place at the request of the area Councillors office. They had been getting SIGNIFICANT complaints from area residents about vehicles being parked on the gravel bar. They recommended that parks put barriers in place. The office was contacted by the River Float folks that asked the barriers be removed as it was detrimental to their use. River Float had been out on the river yesterday and were unable to get a truck down to pick up the rafts with the barrier in place. The barriers will be removed later today. I have had a conversation with that particular office to inform them of the impact restricting access would also have on the fishing community that are responsibly using the river. I know the knee-jerk reaction will be to get angry at the area Councillor's office. I'd advise against this. I spend everyday here at City Hall, and I would suggest there isn't a single member of Council that would have a real understanding of the impact restricting access has on our guiding community. I think there is a responsibility to provide some better education and show our elected officials that restricting access has an impact on the well being of these folks and also has an economic impact on Calgary. Working with groups like Tourism Calgary or Calgary Economic Development could open the door for a better understanding of the impact better access has from a dollars and cents perspective. The Councillor's office does want to see the parking issues addressed on the gravel bar, but they aren't sure what the best solution might be. I'll work with them to find a workable solution that is fair for responsible users, but also keeps vehicles off the bank. If you want more info, shoot me a quick direct message.

I'm doing a bit of work on this in the office today. Nobody seems to know why this was done or how long it will be closed for. I'll give everyone an update once I know more.

My thoughts go out to everyone up there, but especially do the first responders.. Those men and women that are risking their lives to put out this fire are real life super heroes.

There was actually a recent media article out that showed that Calgarians are using less water despite significant population increases. We can certainly do more, but the broader picture is a bit more optimistic.

The rainbows have come and gone already. I was down there 3 weeks ago and there were piles and piles of them. Everything is at least a month ahead of schedule right now.

I don't recall it happening on the Bow in my memory, but I also don't recall ever seeing a spring this dry and warm. They had a nasty situation last year on the West Coast with some of their salmon runs. Next to none of the salmon actually made it to spawning grounds on the Snake River or the Okanagan because they hit too many thermal barriers. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/last-years-heat-wave-doomed-nearly-all-okanogan-sockeye-salmon/ It's not the same as an isolated trout fishery, but the risk is still there.

For the second time in a month Calgary will likely break a weather record. While many welcome the warm weather, it may be a cause for concern for our fisheries. Water temperatures are rising much earlier than usual, and there is wide speculation that water shortages could be in place early this summer. These kinds of years can be really tough on fish. Warmer temperatures and lower water levels stacks fish up in small areas and makes them VERY vulnerable. I friendly reminder to all anglers who plan on frequenting southern Alberta rivers and streams this summer...take an extra bit of due diligence for the sake of the fish. Play your fish quickly, keep them wet and ensure you revive them properly before releasing. Mass fish kills are a strong possibility with these types of prolonged conditions. Do your part to make sure our fisheries stay strong! http://globalnews.ca/news/2676545/calgary-could-break-119-year-old-weather-record-tuesday/?sf25566403=1

The Bow River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Chapter has signed up to participate in The City of Calgary annual pathway and river clean up. We have a section of the the Elbow River just upstream from the confluence. We have limited spaces, but are still looking for a few volunteers. You can sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2016-pathway-and-river-clean-up-tickets-24762421068